If You Ain't First You're Last Playoffs

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a re-tear of his Achilles tendon and had another surgery on Thursday to fix it, according to sources informed of the situation. The re-tear comes less than three months after his original tear, and Watson could now miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Andrew Berry announced on Monday that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab, but now we know that it's a pretty serious setback. Even if Watson can make it back at some point this year, there's an even bigger question about how he would perform after dual Achilles injuries. Since the Browns acquired Watson, he's played in just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games due to injury and suspension -- he was suspended 11 games in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct. If he misses all of 2025, he will have played in just 19 of a possible 85 regular-season games.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol, according to head coach Nick Sirianni. Hurts is now ready to go for the wild-card playoff game this Sunday against the visiting Green Bay Packers. This was the expectation after Hurts upgraded from a limited practice on Wednesday to a full practice on Thursday. He should be officially cleared from the final injury report for the week on Friday and start under center on Sunday. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups or in playoff leagues might be a little more hesitant to use the 26-year-old as their QB this weekend after he missed the final two games of the regular season due to his concussion, but his rushing prowess alone -- he had a league-high 14 rushing TDs in 2024 -- make him a top-five option at the position.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team will add competition to the quarterback room in 2025, in part because Anthony Richardson (back) hasn't been able to stay healthy for a full season yet early on in his career. In addition to injury issues, Richardson's accuracy concerns continue to be a problem. "We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster," Ballard said of Richardson. "The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he's got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question. We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he's not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games," Ballard said. The 22-year-old has started 15 of a possible 34 games in his first two NFL seasons. While his rushing ability is top tier, Richardson needs to stay healthy and improve as a passer to maintain his starting role in Indy.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said he would be 'very confident' in retaining QB Kirk Cousins to be the team's backup for the 2025 season. Fontenot also indicated that reports saying Cousins would be released before a $10 million roster bonus was due on March 17 were unfounded.

Fantasy Spin: While the Falcons GM made some points about the low cap hit of Michael Penix Jr. and the allure of having an experienced backup behind this season's first-round pick, it's probably little more than posturing as NFL teams are notoriously coy about tipping future plans. Obviously, if the Falcons do retain Cousins as QB2, he'd hold zero fantasy appeal. If he is released and resurfaces somewhere else with a shot at a starting job (Cleveland, perhaps?), the veteran would be worth tracking in case another offseason of recovery allows him to rediscover his pre-injury form.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Rams WR Demarcus Robinson was charged with one count of misdemeanor DUI on Thursday, Jan. 9, stemming from an arrest on Nov. 25, 2024. The team elected not to suspend Robinson following his arrest, but he could face discipline from the NFL down the line.

From TheHuddle

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free-agent DT Adam Gotsis (Colts) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Chargers CB Eli Apple (hamstring) was designated to return from the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

From TheHuddle

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth was incredibly productive over the last two weeks of the regular season and will carry some positive momentum into a Wild-Card Round bout with the Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth had his best showing of the year in Week 18, hauling in eight of 11 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. It is worth noting that Freiermuth was hardly utilized in either of his two meetings with the Ravens in 2024 and was held to three or fewer receptions in both contests. On paper, however, this is a favorable matchup for the 26-year-old as Baltimore struggled against the pass and opposing tight ends throughout the campaign. There are more reliable options for fantasy purposes this weekend, but Freiermuth is a solid value and offers upside in PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has had his well-documented issues this season but has been a bit more reliable since their bye week in Week 14. In that span, he's gone 18-for-18 in extra points and 3-for-3 in his field goal tries. His rough season can't be forgotten, which is what makes him more of a mid-level option rather than the elite fantasy asset that he used to be. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Tucker has a solid ceiling but a lower floor.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens failed to make an impact in the team's final game of the regular season but will need to step up against the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Pickens was injured for Pittsburgh's most recent meeting with Baltimore, but back in Week 11, he earned 12 targets and logged eight receptions for 89 yards against his division rival. The Ravens allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wideouts this season, so this is certainly a matchup that Pickens can find success in. Unfortunately, quarterback Russell Wilson and the Steelers' offense as a whole have been wildly inconsistent, making it extremely difficult to rely on Pickens' production. That said, he has a high ceiling this weekend and can be considered a low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 in fantasy contests.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill's 3.5 yards after catch and 1.75 yards per route run were both the lowest totals of his career.

Fantasy Spin: To be fair, Hill battled a wrist injury and played six games without Tua Tagovailoa under center. After quieting the speculation that he wants out of Miami, Hill should still be in the WR1 mix next season, although not necessarily a lock for the first round of fantasy drafts.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely displayed some pretty big flashes of fantasy relevance throughout the regular season. Moving into the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he'll benefit from Zay Flowers (knee) being ruled out. The last time the Ravens took on the Steelers, Likely found the end zone with three receptions for 29 yards. He doesn't automatically become a must-start because Mark Andrews is still the number-one option while Rashod Bateman presents a deep threat. Likely should be more involved, but has a lower floor for fantasy managers looking to deploy him in DFS lineups.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren closed the regular season with a quiet performance and will look to get more involved against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. Warren played well against Baltimore in 2024, averaging 80 total yards and 4.5 receptions over two meetings with his AFC North foe. While it has been difficult to project Warren's utilization on a weekly basis, he should get plenty of opportunities on Saturday. The Ravens are heavy favorites at home, meaning Pittsburgh may be forced to shy away from the run and push the ball downfield. Najee Harris is a capable pass-catcher, but Warren has been the more prolific receiver over the past two seasons. Because of this, the 26-year-old offers some upside in PPR fantasy contests this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris averaged 52.5 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards in his two meetings with the Baltimore Ravens this season. He will hope to be more effective against his division rival in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. The Ravens have been stout against the run all year, surrendering the fewest yards per carry in the league. Additionally, Baltimore is heavily favored at home, so Pittsburgh may be forced to rely on Russell Wilson and the passing game to keep up. Harris has contributed as a receiver throughout his career but will likely cede some opportunities through the air to teammate Jaylen Warren. Fantasy gamers should view Harris as a volume-based RB2 in playoff leagues or DFS contests this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor finds himself in a bit bigger of a role heading into the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw career lows in targets, receptions, and yards this season, but he'll move up the depth chart with Zay Flowers (knee) getting ruled out. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will also play bigger parts in the passing game, so Agholor will still have competition for targets. He could be a sneaky option with a lower price in DFS lineups, but he's still a risky play.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews finally scored his first career touchdown against their division rivals in Week 16 and the two sides will go against each other for a third time on Saturday. Andrews also finished the season on quite the hot streak, getting into the end zone in each of the last six games. With Zay Flowers (knee) ruled out for at least the Wild Card round, Andrews will likely take on an even bigger target share than usual. He's a top-end tight end option for playoff leagues and DFS cash games.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson struggled over the last four weeks of the regular season, which included a Week 16 loss to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Wilson will have a chance to redeem himself against Baltimore in the first round of the NFL playoffs this weekend. Although the Ravens gave up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, Wilson did not manage to turn in a top-12 fantasy finish in either of his meetings against them. With how inconsistent Pittsburgh's air attack has been, it is difficult to trust the 13th-year pro as anything more than a last-resort DFS dart throw in the Wild Card Round.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis could find himself with an expanded role in a Wild Card Round matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Davis went on a solid hot streak near the end of the season, scoring touchdowns in Weeks 16 and 17. With Joshua Palmer (foot) ruled out and Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) questionable, Davis could be needed to work alongside Ladd McConkey and D.J. Chark. Davis hasn't seen more than 37% of the team's offensive snaps in any game this season, and he averaged somewhere around 16%, so even with the injuries ahead of him, he shouldn't be expected to take on an enormous role. Still, he could be a value pick in playoff fantasy contests who happens to find himself in the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session. The veteran linebacker was upgraded to full after getting in a limited session to begin the week. It sounds like David tweaked his knee during the regular season finale. However, it appears to be minor with David returning to a full session on Thursday. Barring any setbacks, David should be good to go ahead of Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Washington Commanders. There should be more information on his status following Friday's practice session.

From RotoBaller