NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning second interviews for their head-coaching job with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore next week. In addition to Brady and Moore, the Saints are looking at former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for their head-coach position. Even if the Bills and Eagles advance to the Super Bowl, they'd be able to interview with the Saints during an off week next week. New Orleans fired Dennis Allen midway through the 2024 season and finished out the year with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi serving as the interim head coach.

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Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne (knee, finger) was listed as a non-participant for his team's practice on Wednesday. The former first-round pick had been battling through a finger injury he suffered in Washington's Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'd also pick up a knee issue in last Saturday's stunning upset of the Detroit Lions. While the finger ailment caused him to practice in a limited capacity the week prior, this new injury has forced him from practice altogether. Payne has missed just one game in his seven-year career, so we'll see if he can elevate his practice status for Sunday's divisional clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. If he's inactive, look for Jalyn Holmes and Sheldon Day to rotate in behind Jonathan Allen.

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity to begin the week ahead of their meeting with the Washington Commanders this Sunday. After just nine snaps, Mitchell was forced from Philadelphia's Divisional win over the Los Angeles Rams and did not return. However, the sentiment regarding his injury appears to be positive, as it was noted that he avoided something serious. It's excellent news for the rookie, who led all Eagles' DBs in snaps during the regular season -- tying for second amongst his cohorts in pass breakups (12). The 23-year-old should be on track to suit up for the Conference Championship round, but if he can't, Isaiah Rodgers would likely fill in again, with Kelee Ringo mixing in behind him.

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Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's team practice. The eighth-year pro spent the early portion of the season dealing with a bicep injury, but the hamstring issue is new for him. However, per Alaina Getzenberg of the team, head coach Sean McDermott has been told that Milano is just dealing with soreness and is unsure whether or not it's a traditional injury at this time. The 30-year-old seemingly sustained the ailment in Buffalo's victory over the Baltimore Ravens, though when it occurred is unclear as he played 51 defensive snaps (86%). For now, it appears Milano won't be in danger of missing this Sunday's bout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he'll be one to monitor over the next 48 hours. Teammate Dorian Williams would be in line for more snaps if the veteran could not play.

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Per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, the Buffalo Bills have opened the practice window of linebacker Baylon Spector (calf). The 26-year-old picked up a calf injury in the team's Week 16 win over the New England Patriots. It's good news for the Bills, though he was not spotted at Wednesday's practice. Spector appeared in 11 games this season -- registering 40 tackles (22 solo) with one fumble recovered -- racking up the third most snaps of Buffalo's linebackers. We'll see if he can progress enough to suit up for this Sunday's clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship round. If he can't, fellow linebacker Dorian Williams will continue to mix in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.

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The Chicago Bears have requested to interview Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their vacant defensive-coordinator job under new head coach Ben Johnson, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pleasant was a big reason why the Rams defense excelled with a lot of young players late this season. He joined the Rams in 2023 as a defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator before being promoted to assistant head coach under Sean McVay in 2024. Before coming to L.A., Pleasant spent time working with Johnson with the Detroit Lions in 2021 as their defensive backs coach/pass-game coordinator. He was also an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Although Pleasant has been coaching in the NFL since 2013, he would be a surprise hire in Chicago as the defensive coordinator.

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According to Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg, Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the favorite to be the Tennessee Titans' pick at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft if they stick in the spot, according to BetMGM. As of Wednesday, Ward is -115 to be the top selection in the draft after he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. He threw for 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns in his only season with the Hurricanes. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is the favorite to go second overall, and he's +625 to go first overall to the Titans. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is expected to go No. 3. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said on Wednesday that Tennessee won't pass on a "generational talent," and Hunter best fits that description. The Titans took Will Levis in the second round in 2023, but the Titans appear ready to move on after he struggled in 2024.

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The Houston Texans announced on Wednesday that they signed wide receivers Xavier Johnson and Johnny Johnson III, guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr., cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Gregory Junior, defensive end Solomon Byrd, running backs Jawhar Jordan and J.J. Taylor, defensive tackle Jayden Peevy, quarterback Kedon Slovis and safety Russ Yeast to Reserve/Futures deals. Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency last offseason but was cut before the start of the regular season before latching on with Houston's practice squad in 2024. The 25-year-old Cincinnati native was never elevated to the Texans' active 53-man roster during the regular season and has yet to make his debut in the NFL. Johnson will now continue his development in Houston and will hope to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.

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The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reports that per the Baltimore Ravens' personnel notice on Wednesday, the team re-signed wide receiver Anthony Miller to a Reserve/Futures deal. Miller spent the vast majority of the 2024 campaign in Baltimore on their practice squad and wasn't elevated to the active 53-man roster until Week 16. The 30-year-old former second-round selection by the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL draft out of Memphis only ended up playing in two regular-season games for the Ravens and caught his only target for a gain of 16 yards. He was also active for both of the team's playoff games with Zay Flowers (knee) out and caught all four of his targets for 28 yards against the Steelers and Bills. Miller will stick around in Baltimore this offseason and heading into training camp this summer as valuable depth behind Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.

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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib, rest) was listed as a non-participant on the team's practice report on Wednesday. Ertz was also listed as a DNP last Tuesday before being limited on Wednesday and full on Thursday. The 34-year-old veteran was active in the Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions last Saturday night and caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and his fourth touchdown in the last four games. As long as he's able to return to practice later this week, Ertz should be on the field this Sunday in Philadelphia for the NFC Championship against the division-rival Eagles. In the most recent meeting against Philly on Dec. 22, Ertz had only one catch on two targets for 12 yards, but in the first meeting on Nov. 14, he caught six of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. Consider him a touchdown-dependent TE play in DFS lineups this weekend.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (hip) put in a limited practice in the first session of the week on Wednesday. Zaccheaus had to come out of the Divisional Round win on Saturday against the Detroit Lions briefly with a hip ailment, but he was able to return and finish out the game. The 27-year-old was targeted only once in the upset victory but didn't come down with a catch. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks the next two days, Zaccheaus should be available for Washington as they look to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl by beating the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Zaccheaus had one catch for 10 yards in the first meeting with the Eagles on Nov. 14, but he went off for five catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in the second meeting on Dec. 22. He'll be a boom/bust DFS sleeper play at the receiver position this weekend.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. While Goedert has consistently found himself on the injury report in recent weeks, the ankle injury is new. Goedert was a huge piece of the Eagles' win over the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. He caught four passes for 56 yards as the lone bright spot of a lackluster Eagles' passing game. Goedert will be necessary as a chain mover against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game. Given the novelty of the injury, Goedert's status will need to be monitored heading into the weekend. He has caught eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles' playoff run. His toughness and run-after-catch ability have been a huge part of the Eagles' success this postseason.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee/rest) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Brown has been consistently receiving rest for several weeks so his limited participation on Wednesday comes as no surprise. Despite the rest, Brown has been quiet throughout the playoffs. In two games played, Brown has only recorded three receptions for 24 yards. The Eagles have consistently ridden running back Saquon Barkley to victory. With the high-powered offense of the Washington Commanders coming to town for the NFC Championship, Brown may be needed to take a larger role in the offense. Brown is absolutely capable of carrying a big load. He recorded 1,079 receiving yards in 13 games this season. That came after recording at least 1,456 yards in each of his first two seasons in Philadelphia. Look for Brown to ramp up his practice participation throughout the week ahead of the NFC Championship on Sunday.

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Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Wagner was limited in practice last week with an ankle injury and ultimately played in the Divisional Round. As a 13-year veteran, Wagner does not necessarily need practice reps to be able to play. His injury also did not seem to limit him against the Detroit Lions last week as he recorded eight total tackles. The 13-year veteran should be monitored by Commanders fans to see if he records any practice time and is able to enter the weekend without an injury designation. While the Commanders have been excellent during their current playoff run, they will need Wagner in a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and their seemingly unstoppable running game.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough. Hurts injured his knee during the second half of the Eagles' Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams. Hurts remained in the game through the conclusion. His status for this week has not been in doubt to this point, and his participation in practice this early in the week confirms that. However, the question is whether Hurts will be anything close to full strength this weekend. He was visibly bothered by the injury last week and the Eagles' passing game had already not exactly lit up the scoreboard recently. Additionally, Hurts' ability as a runner opens lanes for excellent running back Saquon Barkley. If Hurts is limited to some capacity, the Washington Commanders should be able to more easily key on Barkley defensively. Hurts is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL. Hopefully, for the sake of the Eagles, he will be able to bounce back this weekend.

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that the Cincinnati Bengals are finalizing a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who is expected to become the team's next defensive coordinator. Golden will arrive at the Bengals' facility to sign his deal on Thursday. Before joining the Fighting Irish at the collegiate level, Golden spent two seasons as Cincy's linebackers coach, so it will be a reunion with head coach Zac Taylor. The 55-year-old spent the last three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator. He'll be replacing Lou Anarumo, who served as the Bengals' defensive coordinator for the last six seasons before being fired following the 2024 season. When Golden was the team's linebackers coach, he played an integral role in helping the team reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is on this week's injury report but was a full participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Mahomes suffered a mild high-ankle sprain late in the regular season but didn't miss any time other than being held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale for rest purposes with the No. 1 seed in the AFC already locked up. He's apparently still receiving treatment on his ankle, but it shouldn't be a factor at all in the AFC Championship game this Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bills. The two-time MVP went 16-for-25 for 177 yards and only one touchdown in last week's victory over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round and will now face a Bills defense that he went 23-for-33 against with 196 yards, three TDs and two interceptions in a loss back on Nov. 17.

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The Philadelphia Eagles signed free-agent tight end Nick Muse and offensive lineman Cameron Erving to their practice squad on Wednesday and released defensive end KJ Henry from the practice squad in a corresponding move. Muse, a former seventh-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, appeared in four regular-season games in Minnesota but spent most of his time on special teams and was not targeted on offense. In his three years with the Vikings, he appeared in 16 games (zero starts) and caught his only target for a pickup of 22 yards. The 26-year-old will provide tight end depth for the Eagles for the rest of the postseason. Erving, 32, did not appear in the NFL at all in 2024 and last played three games with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. He's a nine-year NFL veteran who was originally a first-round selection (19th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2015 out of Florida State.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars fired general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. This move comes just hours after Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen reached a new deal to remain in Tampa Bay. Coen was thought to be the lead head-coaching candidate in Jacksonville. Baalke served as Jacksonville's GM from 2021 to 2024 and was responsible for hiring Urban Meyer and Doug Pederson, who have both been let go. Many believed Baalke would be fired immediately following the 2024 campaign, but Jaguars owner Shahid Khan must have been disappointed with the way the team's head-coaching search was headed under Baakle's direction and waited until now to make the move.

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Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) missed Wednesday's practice with an illness, according to the team's X account. The four-time Pro Bowler is one of the most important pieces of the Buffalo offense, so missing an early-week practice session is not ideal. However, the 30-year-old has plenty of time to recover and be ready for the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. It would be a shocker if he did not play, but his status should be monitored throughout the rest of the week. Assuming he's ready to go, he'll be tasked with protecting Josh Allen's blindside against a fierce Kansas City front-seven.

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