Fantasy Football News

Buffalo Bills WR Kenny Stills has been elevated from the team's practice squad ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The addition of Stills adds even more speed to an explosive Bills' receiving corps helmed by Stefon Diggs and will provide an additional deep threat for the Chiefs secondary to be weary of on Sunday. The former Houston Texans wide out signed with Buffalo as a free agent at the beginning of January. It will be interesting to watch how much chemistry and continuity the newcomer has been able to develop with quarterback Josh Allen in his first start in the AFC Championship game on Sunday night in Arrowhead Stadium.

According to reports, New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman is expected to return to the team for the 2021 season. (Source: Nesn.com)

Fantasy Impact: Edelman was limited to just six games in 2020 due to a knee injury and failed to record a touchdown for the first time in his career since the 2011 season. The veteran slot receiver has spent his entire career with the Patriots and will be a reliable and experienced piece in the offense if he opts to fully commit to a return in his 12th season. Fantasy managers can expect to land Edelman at the back of most redraft leagues or even on post-draft waiver wires due to an injury-plagued 2020 season.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have mutually agreed to part ways this offseason. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Detroit is basically saying they’re going to trade their franchise quarterback this offseason, as it doesn’t make sense to keep the veteran around for their rebuild. Stafford certainly makes sense for any QB-needy team looking to get over the hump. The Lions own the seventh overall draft pick and could use it to select Stafford’s successor.

AJ Dillon (quad) will play in Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Bucs. (Source: Green Bay Packers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Dillon was a limited participant in practice throughout the week but doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday. He'll continue serving in a change-of-pace role behind Aaron Jones and alongside Jamaal Williams.

Bucs RB Ronald Jones II (quad) was a full participant in Friday's practice. (Source: Packers.com)

Fantasy Impact: This is an upgrade for Jones after he was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday. Leonard Fournette has been running hot, however, and might still get the start on Sunday afternoon. This makes Jones a better tournament play for DFS purposes.

Sammy Watkins (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship matchup against the Bills. (Source: Kansas City Chiefs on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Watkins is expected to play after getting in a week of limited practices. Expect him to serve as the team's No. 2 wideout, though Mecole Hardman should still see a handful of touches and targets as well.

Chiefs RB Le'Veon Bell (knee) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship against the Bills. (Source: Kansas City Chiefs on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bell is going to have an uphill battle to play after sitting out practice on both Thursday and Friday. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) is tentatively expected to return and will likely split work with Darrel Williams.

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) is questionable for the Chiefs' AFC Championship game against the Bills. (Source: Kansas City Chiefs on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: CEH is expected to play after getting in a week of limited practices. The rookie has been out since Week 15 but should still see the majority of touches from this backfield. As usual, Darrel Williams should mix in as well. Le'Veon Bell (knee) is also questionable but has mostly been a non-factor lately.

Bills WR Cole Beasley (knee) was once again removed from the injury report and will play against the Chiefs in Sunday's AFC Championship. (Source: Buffalo Bills PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Beasley popped up on the injury report on Thursday, getting in a limited session. This was likely just a maintenance day, however. Beasley hasn't been 100 percent this postseason but continues to suit up for a Buffalo team with championship aspirations.

Bills WR Gabriel Davis (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship against the Chiefs. (Source: Buffalo Bills PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The rookie returned to practice on Friday after sitting out both Wednesday and Thursday. His status for Sunday is truly up in the air. We should find out which way things are leaning at some point over the weekend, though. If active, Davis will resume his regular role in four-wide sets.

The Bucs activated DL Vita Vea (ankle) from injured reserve. (Source: Peter Schrager on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was a big unknown as to whether or not Vea would return this season. The run-stuffing lineman fractured his ankle back in October but is now cleared to play in the NFC Championship against Green Bay. Even a limited Vea will give Tampa's defense a boost this Sunday.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes told reporters on Friday that he has cleared the concussion protocol and is good to go on Sunday vs. the Bills. (Source: Adam Teicher on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After being limited earlier in the week, Mahomes has now officially passed through the league’s concussion protocol. He’s still dealing with a minor toe injury, but in no way is that expected to prevent him from playing in the AFC Championship game on Sunday.

WR Antonio Brown (knee) will not play in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Packers, per Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Brown was unable to practice this week and ultimately ruled out for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Packers. He originally suffered the knee injury in the NFC Divisional Round win over the Saints. AB is currently day-to-day and will look to return for the Super Bowl if Tampa Bay is able to advance. Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller are expected to see additional targets while Brown is sidelined.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald has retired from the NFL after eight seasons. (Source: Pittsburgh Steelers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McDonald was a second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2013. He has spent the past four seasons in Pittsburgh. His best season was 2018 where he caught 50 passes for 610 yards and four TDs. McDonald's retirement saves the Steelers $5.2 million in cap space.

New Lions head coach Dan Campbell says he wants to utilize D'Andre Swift as a slot receiver next season, in addition to his usual running back duties. (Source: Chris Burke on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Campbell mentioned wanting to find an OC who will let Swift go 1-on-1 against linebackers. This is great news for fantasy managers bullish on Swift, but we'll have to see who Campbell hires to lead the offense before we jump to conclusions. The 22-year-old Swift has a sky-high fantasy ceiling if Detroit begins using him as an every-down back.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed QB Dwayne Haskins to a one-year contract. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The contract came together after Haskins visited the team on Thursday. The 23-year-old was waived by the Washington Football Team earlier this season after violating the league's COVID-19 protocols. Haskins has posted a 12:14 TD:INT ratio through two years in the NFL.

The Eagles have hired former Colts OC Nick Sirianni as their next head coach. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 39-year-old is yet another young coordinator to be poached as a head coach. He has been with Indianapolis since 2018 and has helped oversee the team's offense following the stunning retirement of Andrew Luck. It's worth noting that he has never called plays at the NFL level.

Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) "should be ready" to return for the Ravens' training camp after suffering a season-ending ankle injury back in Week 8, as reported by Jamison Hensley. (Source: Jamison Hensley on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Stanley was not available down the stretch for the Ravens which made a significant difference, particularly against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. Lamar Jackson was held to 34 rushing yards while getting sacked three times and failing to score in any capacity due to defenders continuously disrupting the pocket from his blind-side. The fifth-year tackle suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle mid-season but is expected to fully recover and return by training camp, which bodes well for Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Baltimore offense heading into the 2021 season.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is "totally certain" that the team's star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, will eventually receive a long-term contract extension from the organization. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 2019 MVP totaled 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the 2020 season and secured his first postseason win against the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card round. With his electric play-making ability, speed and development as a passer, Jackson will remain among the best quarterbacks in the league, especially if he signs a long-term contract extension to keep him in Baltimore to build on continuity with the players and coaching schemes. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to exercise caution in 2021 fantasy drafts, as many who opted to draft Jackson in the first few rounds came to regret it due to the quarterback's regression in rushing touchdowns and passing efficiency.

Colts QB Philip Rivers has decided to officially retire after 17 seasons in the NFL. (Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rivers’ retirement comes after one year as the Colts’ quarterback, leading them to an 11-5 record with a playoff berth. The former 2004 4th-overall draft pick out of North Carolina State spent his first 16 seasons in San Diego/Los Angeles as a member of the Chargers organization. He finishes his career throwing for 63,440 yards, 421 touchdowns, and 209 interceptions. As of this time, Jacob Eason remains the only quarterback on the Colts’ roster under contract heading into the 2021 season. Indianapolis could also decide to bring in a quarterback via free agency or trade. Both Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz have been two names thrown around due to a variety of reasons.