Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte was arrested for allegedly placing more than 8,900 bets while underaged with a fake account, according to NOLA.com's Wilson Alexander. At least six of those bets were placed on the LSU team Boutte played on. We'll see how the Patriots and the NFL respond to these allegations, but Boutte had very little dynasty value to begin with. He fell to the sixth round of the 2023 draft and caught just two balls as a rookie.
The Panthers are making a surprise choice in hiring former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales as HC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Canales arrives after spending just one year with the Bucs. But that season seems to have revived QB Baker Mayfield's career. Overall, the Bucs ranked just 20th in points, 23rd in total yards, tied for 19th in yards per play, and 20th in offensive DVOA. Before that, Canales spent 13 years coaching offense in Seattle, including three years as WRs coach, five as QBs coach, and two as passing-game coordinator. Canales drew praise for his role in QB Geno Smith's 2022 breakout. His work with Smith and Mayfield almost certainly excited the Panthers, who likely envision Canales as the guy to help QB Bryce Young rebound from a troubling rookie season. Of course, Canales goes from QBs coach for Smith and OC for Mayfield to HC in Carolina. So be careful about assuming too much from his influence. We'll see who Canales brings in to fill out his coaching staff and what the Panthers can add to an offense that sported unimpressive talent in 2023 (and doesn't have a 2024 first-round pick). This seems like a positive move for Young's dynasty outlook, but temper your excitement.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Chargers have reached an agreement with Jim Harbaugh to become their new head coach. Harbaugh, who has coached the University of Michigan's football team since 2015, was last employed in the professional ranks with the San Francisco 49ers between 2011-14. He guided the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl loss across those four years. This is undoubtedly a massive addition for a Chargers' offense that ranked 18th in total offense in 2023. Harbaugh's background (15 years as an NFL QB) and track record of success should bode well for the prospects of QB Justin Herbert and company. We'll be sure to follow any other significant changes coming in Los Angeles, including who becomes their next general manager, but their circumstances are starting to look up now with Harbaugh in the fold following a disappointing 5-12 season.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) won't practice on Wednesday, HC Kyle Shanahan said. Shanahan added that Samuel still has pain in that shoulder but "feels better." Shanahan wouldn't say whether he expects Samuel to be available to Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Lions. We'll update his status again tomorrow.
The Ravens expect TE Mark Andrews to play in Sunday's AFC Championship vs. the Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It'd be Andrews' first game since suffering a cracked fibula and ankle ligament damage on November 16. Andrews practiced all last week, including full workouts on Wednesday and Thursday, but was held out of the Texans game. We'll look for more info on how big a role Andrews is expected to play on Sunday and update his projections accordingly.
The Titans are set to hire Brian Callahan as their new HC, according to multiple sources. It'll be the 39-year-old's first HC gig. Callahan spent the past five seasons as Cincinnati's OC, leading the Bengals to top-13 finishes in total yards and points in 2021 and 2022. Cincinnati sunk to 22nd in yards and 16th in points this past year, due in large part to QB Joe Burrow missing 7.5 games. Callahan was a pass-leaning play caller, with four of his five Bengals offenses ranking top-12 in pass rate, including a trio of top-6 finishes. That means a big shift is coming in Tennessee, where the Titans never finished higher than 25th in pass attempts in six seasons under HC Mike Vrabel. Callahan's arrival is certainly good news for the fantasy upside on QB Will Levis, WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, and TE Chig Okonkwo.
The Lions are signing TE Zach Ertz, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ertz arrives as a fairly big name, but don't consider him a serious challenge to TE Sam LaPorta's outlook. Detroit suddenly finds weak depth at the position after losing Brock Wright to a forearm fracture in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. The team previously placed TE James Mitchell on IR after he suffered a hand injury in practice ahead of the win over the Rams. Wright drew just 1 target before leaving Sunday's game, in which he played 30 snaps. No Lions TE besides LaPorta drew a target in the previous game, despite LaPorta being just a week removed from a knee injury.
The 49ers consider WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) "50/50" for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Lions, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that x-rays on Samuel's shoulder showed no fracture and that he's already started rehab. We'll keep a close eye on his status throughout this week.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Bears are finalizing a deal to make Shane Waldron their new OC. Waldron spent the past three seasons as Seattle's OC, finding particular success in passing efficiency. The Seahawks finished those years ranked ninth, ninth, and sixth in pass-offense DVOA. That span covered QB Russell Wilson's injury-interrupted final Seattle campaign and then QB Geno Smith's first two as starter. The Seahawks also increased their passing rate the past two years vs. Waldron's first in town. We'll see what the Bears do at QB this offseason. If Justin Fields remains at the 2024 helm, we wouldn't bet on a pass-heavy approach -- though we wouldn't be surprised to see at least a bit more of a lean in that direction. Chicago, of course, owns the No. 1 NFL Draft pick (from the Panthers), though, and could select USC's Caleb Williams. That move could signal a new era of Chicago passing. The uncertainty for both players is likely to make Fields and Williams intriguing values in early best ball drafting.
Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle) is inactive for tonight's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. WR Justyn Ross (hamstring) is active but unlikely to play a big role. Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling operated as Kansas City's top four WRs in last week's win over the Dolphins.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta (knee) is active for today's Divisional Round game vs. the Bucs. He suggested on Friday that his knee is feeling better now than it did last week. LaPorta still isn't at 100% but has plenty of fantasy upside vs. Tampa Bay's 27th-ranked TE defense.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel will have further testing on his injured left shoulder on Sunday, ESPN reports. The team is reportedly hoping that Samuel didn't suffer the same hairline fracture injury that he did in a Week 6 loss to the Browns. That cost him the next two games. Samuel was able to return following San Francisco's Week 9 bye. "I don't know yet," HC Kyle Shanahan said after the win over the Packers. "I mean he tried to come back [but] couldn't do it. I know he did something similar versus Cleveland." We should get an update on Samuel within the next 24 hours. WR Jauan Jennings stepped up for five catches and 61 yards vs. Green Bay and would be in for an expanded role if Samuel misses the NFC Championship.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel is questionable to return to Saturday's game with a shoulder injury. He missed two games with a shoulder issue earlier this season. We'll see if he's able to return in the second half.
Update: Samuel was ruled out in the second half.
Packers RB A.J. Dillon (thumb, neck) is inactive for tonight's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers. That should again leave RB Aaron Jones in a workhorse role. He's totaled 84 carries and 10 targets over his last four games.
The Raiders removed the interim label from Antonio Pierce, naming the 45-year-old their new HC. Pierce took over as interim HC of a 3-5 Raiders team this past season and proceeded to go 5-4 the rest of the way. Vegas' points per game rose from 15.8 pre-Pierce to 22.9 after Pierce took over. While Pierce talked a lot about his love of running the rock, the Raiders' neutral run rate actually sunk from 43.1% to 41.4% in Pierce's nine games. He did ride a workhorse RB in all of those games, though -- first Josh Jacobs and then Zamir White. Jacobs is due to hit free agency in March, while White is signed for two more seasons. We'll see what the Raiders do in the backfield, and how Pierce fills out the rest of his coaching staff.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore (knee) is out for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. He was designated to return from IR at the start of the week, got in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, but then did not practice on Friday. It's unclear if Moore would be ready to go if Kansas City advances to the AFC Championship. WRs Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle) and Justyn Ross (hamstring) were limited in practice all week and are listed as questionable for the Buffalo game.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bucs. He was limited in the final two practices of the week, but it sounds like that was part of a maintenance plan as he works back from that knee injury. "The trusting of my knee has progressed quite a bit," LaPorta said Friday. "Just reaching and planting for cuts. Certainly, the achiness has progressed. Just trying to make it feel better all week. Get the right amount of work but not too much at the same time." LaPorta still won't be at 100% on Sunday -- but he should be closer than he was for last week's win over the Rams.
Bills HC Sean McDermott said Friday that WR Gabe Davis (knee) won't play Sunday against the Chiefs. That should mean a continued role increase for WR Khalil Shakir. But WR Trent Sherfield got an even bigger bump the past two games. He has played his two largest snap shares of the season -- 71% at Miami, 63% vs. Steelers -- in the game Davis left and then the playoff opener he missed. Sherfield didn't see a target against Pittsburgh, so he's only in range as a DFS flyer and for deeper fantasy formats. Shakir racked up 6-105 receiving in the regular-season finale but then drew just 3 targets against the Steelers. He presents intriguing upside but is also no lock for opportunities. The Bills will also go without CB Christian Benford and S Taylor Rapp.
The Ravens aren't expected to activate TE Mark Andrews (ankle) from IR ahead of Saturday's game against the Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Andrews has been a full practice participant this week, so we'd guess he'll be ready for next weekend's game -- should Baltimore beat Houston this weekend. His absence will keep TE Isaiah Likely in the starting lineup against a defense that's been third most friendly in the league to TE scoring. Likely sits fourth among TEs in our rankings for the Divisional Round. But he sports upside beyond that position.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts believes the knee he injured in 2022 remained a factor throughout the 2023 campaign. He had surgery on November 29, 2022 to repair MCL and PCL damage to his right knee, missed most of the offseason program, and was limited at the start of training camp. "It's a continual growth in terms of coming off an injury," Pitts said. "So each week was trying to get better, keep getting stronger and, you know, just doing what I need to do to get back to the bionic knee that I used to have. That natural knee, you know, after surgery." Pitts had two of his four best fantasy outings of 2023 over the final five weeks of the season. Hopefully healthier in 2024 and with HC Arthur Smith finally out of the way, Pitts has obvious bounce-back potential.
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