Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) logged a limited session in Wednesday's team practice. The seventh-year pro re-aggravated a knee injury in last weekend's 32-12 win against the Los Angeles Chargers that he's been dealing with on and off since Week 6. However, when it occurred is unclear, as he participated in 98% of Houston's snaps. It's excellent news for the seventh-year pro, who was tagged with a DNP just one day ago. Despite missing six games this season, the 27-year-old is the second-leading snap-getter amongst his fellow linebackers and ranked third on the Texans with 70 tackles (45 solo) in 2024. While he appears to be trending in the right direction for Saturday's road tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs, it'd be wise to monitor him over the next few days due to the nagging nature of the injury. If Al-Shaair cannot play, teammates Neville Hewett and Christian Harris project to pick up the slack in Houston's front seven.

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Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Alec Anderson (calf) was officially listed as limited for Wednesday's team practice. The former undrafted free agent picked up a calf injury in Buffalo's 31-7 Wild Card win over the Denver Broncos. Anderson was typically deployed as the Bills' sixth offensive lineman during the regular season but was utilized heavily this past weekend before exiting the game. The 25-year-old played 26.7% of Buffalo's regular-season snaps but was on the field for 22 (29%) of them through less than two quarters of work. Head coach Sean McDermott listed him as day-to-day on Tuesday, so that he could practice in some capacity is a boon for his outlook regarding Sunday's Divisional Round tilt with the visiting Baltimore Ravens. If Anderson is inactive, teammates Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Tylan Grable figure to see an uptick in snaps.

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Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder) logged a limited practice session for the second consecutive day in preparation for his team's meeting with the Detroit Lions this Saturday. The rookie was used sparingly in his debut campaign -- hauling in all five of his targets despite appearing in all 17 contests. Ironically, Sinnott played more snaps earlier on in the season than he'd rack up over its last three outings -- logging double-digit snap percentages twice as opposed to the 12 times he did so over the first 13 weeks. This role remained the same in the Wild Card round, as he registered just seven of a possible 73 snaps while fellow TEs John Bates (38) and Zach Ertz (46) handily out-snapped him. With the Commanders lining up on Saturday, the 22-year-old will have one more shot to enhance his practice participation before his team must designate a status for the Divisional Round. If he can't go, Bates and Ertz would garner a higher workload.

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Los Angeles Rams defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's team practice. Witherspoon notched three tackles -- including a sack and TFL -- in Monday night's 27-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings but injured his thigh in the third quarter and did not return to the contest. While it's unfortunate that he was tagged with a DNP to kick off the week, he'll still have a few more shots to elevate his practice participation ahead of Sunday's road tilt with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 29-year-old tied for the team lead with nine pass breakups during the regular season and ranked third amongst cornerbacks in snaps played. If he can't suit up, fellow DBs Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. project to pick up some extra playing time in the Rams' defensive backfield.

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Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker (personal) was not present with the rest of the team for Wednesday's practice due to personal reasons. It doesn't mean that the Lions won't have Decker available for the Divisional Round playoff game this Saturday against the visiting Washington Commanders, but his status will be worth watching closely. As long as he returns to the team and practices on Thursday, Decker should be ready to go. However, if he remains away from the team and doesn't play on Saturday, it will be a noteworthy piece missing from Detroit's offensive line as quarterback Jared Goff's blind-side protector. The 30-year-old veteran started 14 games during the regular season and is an anchor on the Lions' O-line. If Decker's personal issues keep him from playing, Dan Skipper could be forced to make the start at left tackle.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice a day after being listed as a non-participant. The veteran pass-catcher was most likely just being rested early in the week. If he's able to be a full-go on Thursday, he could be removed from the final injury report entirely ahead of Saturday's Divisional Round clash in Detroit against the top-seeded Lions. Even if the 31-year-old is available for this weekend's playoff contest, fantasy managers should avoid him everywhere after he played only 11 of the team's 73 offensive snaps in the wild-card win last Sunday evening against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Crowder was not targeted at all in that game and caught only nine passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets all year in only six regular-season games played.

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Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez (hip) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice after he was limited on Tuesday. The upgraded practice status for Gonzalez means that he should be able to kick this Saturday against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, barring a setback in practice with his hip on Thursday. The 29-year-old veteran joined Washington midseason and ended up going 5-for-7 on his field-goal tries while making all 19 of his extra-point attempts in six regular-season games. He made all three of his field goals, including the game-winner that doinked off the upright, in the three-point wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday night. Gonzalez also made all three of his extra points in that contest. Gonzalez has been solid for the Commanders, but he won't be one of the best fantasy kicking options this weekend in Detroit.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Wednesday, the only player on the team not to practice in full. Hardman remains on Injured Reserve and will likely need to upgrade to a full practice session to have a shot at being activated and playing on Saturday when the team takes on the visiting Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The 26-year-old was designated to return from IR back on Jan. 1 but did not suit up for the Week 18 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos in the regular-season finale. If Hardman is activated and plays this weekend, fantasy managers will want to avoid him everywhere, as he'll likely see limited snaps as a depth option for KC's receiving corps. The former second-rounder in 2019 caught only 12 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and no scores in 12 games in 2024 before going on IR.

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After sitting out on Tuesday, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) was limited in the team's practice session on Wednesday. It gives Ertz a shot to be available to play this Saturday against the Lions in Detroit for the Divisional Round of the postseason. If the 34-year-old veteran is upgraded to a full practice on Thursday, he could be removed from the final injury report entirely. We'd be pretty surprised if Ertz wasn't out there this weekend. He'll be looking to bounce back after barely being involved in the three-point victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday night on wild-card weekend, where he caught only two of four targets for 23 yards. In Weeks 17 and 18, Ertz finished the regular season strong with 11 catches on 12 targets for 116 yards and three touchdowns, so fantasy managers looking for a lower-cost TE this weekend could do worse than Ertz.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rib) was a full participant for the second straight day this week in practice on Wednesday and is trending in the right direction to play against the Houston Texans on Saturday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Although the rib injury that Pacheco suffered in Week 17 on Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers was not considered serious, the Chiefs held Pacheco out of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos, and he had an extra week to rest during the bye in the wild-card round. The 25-year-old is now fully ready to go for this Saturday's game against Houston, where he will likely share backfield duties with Kareem Hunt. Pacheco broke his leg early in the year and didn't return from Injured Reserve until Week 13. Once back, he played less than half the offensive snaps in all five games, and that could continue against the Texans.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is well on his way to being available for the Divisional Round game this Saturday against the visiting Houston Texans after putting in a second straight full practice this week on Wednesday. Mahomes suffered a right high-ankle sprain in a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 but managed to play the following two weeks before being rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. He's now had the last two weeks to heal up with the Chiefs having a bye in the wild-card round. Although the 29-year-old might not be 100%, he should be well enough to play as the Chiefs seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title. Mahomes was only the QB11 in fantasy during the regular season, though, and his fantasy ceiling won't be very high against an underrated Houston defense this weekend.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee, rest) did not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Brown has dealt with a minor knee injury since late in the regular season but hasn't missed any time because of it, and he indicated that he was just being rested on Wednesday. The 27-year-old fully expects to return to the field on Thursday and be ready to play this Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the postseason. The veteran wideout was a huge disappointment for any fantasy managers that had him in their DFS lineups on wild-card weekend, as he had just one catch for 10 yards on three targets in a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers. Brown is a great bounce-back candidate this weekend, though, especially after he caught six of seven targets for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Nov. 24 win over the Rams in LA.

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Schultz is a key safety valve for quarterback C.J. Stroud, and his absence this weekend would certainly hurt the offense. Fortunately for the Texans, Schultz has logged two straight limited outings and seems to be trending toward playing on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Schultz caught 53 passes for 635 yards and two touchdowns this season. His numbers were down from 2023 due to the Texans' regression in the passing game as a whole. However, Stroud still looks to Schultz when he is in trouble. The Texans do not have many receiving options left. With wide receiver Robert Woods (hip) trending in the wrong direction with back-to-back DNPs, Schultz and wide receiver Nico Collins are poised to play huge roles this weekend. Both players will have to perform at a high level in a tough matchup with the Chiefs.

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Los Angeles Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh), DT Bobby Brown III (shoulder) and OT Alaric Jackson (chest) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 15. TE Tyler Higbee (chest) was limited during practice. The Rams did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the practice report is an estimation.

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Free-agent WR Alex Erickson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad Wednesday, Jan. 15.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (chest) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Higbee's participation in practice this early in the week is excellent news for the Rams considering that the injury sent Higbee to the hospital after Monday night's game. Higbee has now played in four games this season after missing most of the regular season with a torn ACL. He is one of quarterback Matthew Stafford's favorite targets which was evidenced by his five receptions for 58 yards in Monday's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Higbee was previously reported to be trending towards playing this weekend, but his practice participation further sheds a positive outlook on his status. The Rams face the daunting task of beating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round this weekend. Should he ultimately play, Higbee will be a huge offensive piece for the Rams against an excellent Eagles defense.

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Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (chest) was limited during practice Wednesday, Jan. 15. The Rams did not hold a practice Wednesday, so this is an estimation.

Fantasy Spin: Higbee suffered the injury during the Wild Card playoff game but seems to have a good chance to play against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a big part of the passing game before the injury and can be a No. 1 tight end in most fantasy leagues.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (hip) picked up another DNP on Wednesday. Woods has not yet practiced this week ahead of a Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The 32-year-old Woods has been an important veteran piece for the Texans this season. He caught 30 passes for 203 yards during the regular season. He also returned 15 punts for 144 yards and five kickoffs for 144 yards. He has been an all-around steady contributor both offensively and on special teams. With the Texans' wide receiver room already thin, they cannot afford to drop more players due to injury. Additionally, the Texans just released wide receiver Diontae Johnson further depleting their depth. With only one day left this week to log practice reps, Woods' status is worth monitoring by Texans fans. The Texans will need all hands on deck to beat the two-time defending champion Chiefs this weekend.

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Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (non-injury), WR A.J. Brown (knee), C Cameron Jurgens (non-injury), OT Jordan Mailata (non-injury) and DE Josh Sweat (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 15. QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) and DT Byron X. Young (hamstring) fully participated in practice.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) was limited at practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Mixon battled through ankle injuries throughout the regular season, so it is not necessarily surprising to see him on the injury report with the injury. Most concerning is that Mixon was not on the injury report on Tuesday. In some cases, veterans will follow a rest protocol throughout the week, depending on the severity of their injury. However, players are prone to getting hurt in practice and ending up on the injury report. The situation is worth monitoring for Texans fans. Mixon is an important cog in the Texans offense. He ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He led the Texans to victory in the Wild-Card Round with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. Without Mixon, the Texans offense looks far less efficient. He will be absolutely necessary if they are to have any chance of beating the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend.

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