Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) is off the final injury report for the Wild Card round after putting in a full practice on Thursday. It looks like he'll be ready for his usual role in Saturday's game vs. the Texans. Cooper, of course, smoked Houston for 265 yards and two TDs just a few weeks ago.
Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) is questionable for Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Browns. He got in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, so he's at least in better shape than teammate Noah Brown. We're tentatively projecting Woods to play, although he's not an exciting fantasy option.
Texans WR Noah Brown (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Browns. He only got in a limited practice on Thursday, so it's safe to assume that Brown won't be close to 100% if he ends up playing. He's not an attractive option in playoff-long contests or the Wild Card DFS slate.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews appears on track to return from his leg injury at some point during the playoffs -- and perhaps even by Baltimore's first game. Greg Scholz of Inside Injuries says (via The Athletic) their data "suggests [Andrews] will reach Optimal Recovery before Baltimore's first game." That would come in Round 2, after the Ravens' bye in the Wild Card round. HC John Harbaugh most recently said in late December that Andrews had avoided setbacks and might even be "a little ahead of schedule" in his rehab, according to Baltimore Beatdown. Andrews suffered a fibula fracture and high-ankle sprain in Week 11 that required surgery shortly thereafter. His return would obviously be good news for the Ravens' offense. It would also hurt the playoff outlook for replacement TE Isaiah Likely. Andrews makes for a boom/bust option in playoff fantasy contests. We likely won't know until next weekend whether Andrews will play in that game. And we can't know until he takes the field whether Andrews will need to work through any limitations. Returning from high-ankle sprains can be especially tricky. Whether you should take a shot on Andrews depends heavily on your contest type. We'd downgrade Likely's standing at least a bit, though.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson said Thursday that he doesn't plan on changing his playing style going forward, despite suffering multiple injuries during his rookie season. "There's a time and a place to be physical," he said. "I love being physical. That's my nature. ... I don't think I played reckless. I think I played the right way." Richardson played just two full games this past year and ran 10 times in both. He totaled 25 carries on 15% of Indianapolis' offensive snaps -- which equates to 166 carries over a full, healthy season. There's huge rushing upside with Richardson in 2024 and beyond. He also said Thursday that he plans on resuming throwing in February after his October shoulder surgery.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh was asked Wednesday if RB Dalvin Cook is an insurance policy or a legitimate competitor for playing time this postseason. His response: "We view him as potentially a very valuable weapon for our offense. Dalvin Cook is a high-pedigree player, a highly decorated player. He's still got talent, ability, he's smart, he's in great football shape. He looked very good in practice today. So I think he's going to be a very valuable part of our team in the playoffs." Cook is certainly a big name, but he was one of the least effective runners in the league with the Jets this season. Cook mustered just 3.2 yards per carry, ranked dead last among 68 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus rushing grade, and ranked 57th among those 68 in Elusive Rating. We're not excited about Cook the player. But the fact that he has a chance to carve out a role for a team with a good shot at getting three playoff games makes Cook worth a shot as a flyer in some fantasy playoff contests.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a chance to return for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Lions' 24th-ranked TE defense. We'll keep tabs on Higbee's progress over the next few days.
Lions WR Jameson Williams (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He's on track to return for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Rams. Williams reeled in 11 of 16 targets for 159 yards over his last three games and has a chance to pick up extra targets this weekend with TE Sam LaPorta out.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. The team hasn't yet ruled him out for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Rams, but he's a major long shot to play in that one. James Mitchell replaced LaPorta as Detroit's lead TE last week.
Packers WR Romeo Doubs (chest) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He was knocked out of the Week 18 win over the Bears, but getting in a limited practice early in the week should put him on track to play vs. the Packers on Sunday.
Packers RB A.J. Dillon (thumb, neck) did not practice on Wednesday. He missed the regular-season finale and is iffy for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Cowboys. We'll track Dillon's status over the next few days.
Bills WR Gabriel Davis (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. His sprained left PCL is reportedly not a major injury, but Davis seems unlikely to play vs. the Steelers on Sunday. We'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days. Trent Sherfield replaced Davis as Buffalo's primary outside WR in the Week 18 win over Miami.
Browns WR Amari Cooper said Wednesday that his injured heel is "getting better every day." He added that he could have played last week had the game meant anything and that he expects to play against the Texans on Saturday. Cooper missed practice again on Wednesday, though. We'll see if he gets on the field on Thursday and how he's listed on the final injury report for the Wild Card round.
Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. That gives him a shot to play vs. the Browns on Saturday. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report on Thursday afternoon. WR Noah Brown (back) remained sidelined on Wednesday and is unlikely to play in the Wild Card round.
The Patriots and HC Bill Belichick are mutually parting ways, according to multiple reports. That will end a run of 24 seasons, nine Super Bowl trips, and six titles. Of course, none of those championships came without QB Tom Brady on the field. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Belichick wants to continue coaching and that there will be interest. He singles out Atlanta as a potential landing spot. Washington has also been mentioned as a possibility for Belichick. We'd just like to see any team that hires Belichick give someone else control over player personnel. The Patriots' roster deteriorated post-Brady, especially on the offensive side. And the offensive skill-position players were often limited even throughout the glory years. As for what's left in New England, the Patriots should be looking for a new QB this offseason after benching Mac Jones for Bailey Zappe late in the year. The Pats could use pass-catching upgrades as well, though we'll see how much the salary cap and draft picks allow them to do. This isn't likely to be an offense that excites anyone in 2024, regardless of who arrives as the next coach.
Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon is unlikely to play this postseason, according to Chiefs Digest's Matt Derrick. McKinnon had surgery on January 2 for a core muscle injury and a fractured pelvis, per Derrick, which is expected to sideline him at least 6-8 weeks. McKinnon's absence leaves Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Kansas City's No. 2 RB -- and Isiah Pacheco in a workhorse role.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) said Wednesday that he's feeling good but isn't guaranteed to play vs. the Chiefs on Saturday night. "Still a decision that needs to be made," Mostert said. “It is a one-game season. We’ll see how it shakes out. It’s been very difficult. The mental restraints. It’s a struggle. You live to fight another day. I feel like I thrive in the playoffs." Mostert got in a limited practice on Tuesday. We'll see how he progresses over the next few days, but it at least sounds like Mostert will be at less than 100% if he plays on Saturday.
According to multiple reports, Pete Carroll is ending his 14-year run as HC of the Seahawks. That tenure also found Carroll serving as VP of football operations, giving him dual authority over personnel decisions with GM John Schneider. Seahawks owner Jody Allen announced that Carroll's "role will evolve" to that of advisor, so he'll likely still have a say in roster building. We'll see who succeeds Carroll as HC and whether his assistants stick around before projecting the potential impact on Seattle's fantasy assets.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he expects RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) to be "full-go" in practice next week. That would obviously set CMC up for his usual workhorse role in the Divisional Round. We'll keep you updated on McCaffrey's status, but he seems safe to select for playoff fantasy rosters. He sits No. 1 overall in our NFL Playoff Fantasy Rankings.
The Bears have fired OC Luke Getsy and other members of the offensive staff, NFL Network reports. QBs coach Andrew Janocko is also among the coaches being dumped. Chicago did improve its ranking in both points and yards in the second season under HC Matt Eberflus but still ranked just 18th and 20th, respectively. The Bears also finished just 22nd in offensive DVOA (a slight boost from 24th in 2022). It's tough to say whether these moves tell us anything about the team's plan at QB. Chicago could keep rolling with Justin Fields, move him and replace with a rookie, or keep Fields and draft a QB early. It'll be an interesting offseason for that spot no matter which path the Bears choose. And Fields remains a solid-to-good fantasy asset. We'd bet on him starting somewhere in 2024. You might not want to go buying him in dynasty, though. It's possible Fields' passing struggles knock him out of a consistent starting position beyond the coming season.
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