Fantasy Football News

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, QB Brock Purdy, who exited early in the NFC championship game only to return again after an elbow injury, suffered a UCL tear that will keep him out of six months. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The concern for Purdy is that his UCL is repaired properly so that he can avoid Tommy John. Purdy was on a run to end his rookie year, and this injury complicates his prospects for his sophomore season. With QB Trey Lance in the fold still, the 49ers situation is one to monitor going forward.

Josh Johnson has taken over for the injured Brock Purdy late in the first quarter of the NFC Championship game with the Eagles. (Source: Ed Kracz on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Purdy is officially listed as questionable with a right elbow injury. Purdy was seen sitting on the bench after the punt that ended the last 49ers’ possession. It remains to be seen if Purdy will be able to return, but for now the veteran Josh Johnson is in at quarterback for San Francisco.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert underwent shoulder surgery to repair a tear in his left labrum. He’s expected to be cleared for offseason activities. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Herbert had a solid junior year campaign, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 25 touchdowns. The surgery was on his non-throwing shoulder and he is expected to be able to return soon. A new offensive coordinator will be coming in for the Chargers in 2023. Hebert has three top-12 QB finished and could look to expand upon that in his fourth season.

Despite being listed as questionable, the San Francisco 49ers are listing Elijah Mitchell as inactive for the championship round against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Source: San Francisco 49ers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mitchell, who dealt with injury all year, was slowly working his way into an increased role as he carried the ball 14 times against the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round. However, a groin injury will hold him out again. Christian McCaffrey and Deebo a Samuel can be expected to receive a major workload, and Tevin Coleman, who was elevated, could see some action as the backup.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers would “prefer” to trade QB Aaron Rodgers this offseason due to financial reasons, a fact Rodgers is “well aware of.” (Source: Adam Schefter, ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Rodgers signed a large extension that is tricky for the Packers to deal with unless traded away, as the team is well over the cap limit and has plenty of key free agents. Rodgers’ media presence also insinuates that the two sides may be parting ways. Previous reports stated that the Packers would prefer to trade Rodgers to an AFC team, and with the deadline for Jordan Love’s fifth-year option creeping up, the move could happen sooner rather than later.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, who underwent ACL surgery, is not expect to be available by the start of the 2023 NFL season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rapoport reports that Murray could miss as much as half the season as he recovers from both an ACL tear and a meniscus. The two-time Pro Bowl QB missed six games in 2022 due to injury, and QBs Colt McCoy and Trace McSorley were the team’s starters in his place. McCoy is still under contract in 2023, and with the Cardinals in need of a head coach, the QB situation is less than ideal.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, RB Tevin Coleman is being activated by the San Francisco 49ers ahead of their matchup with the Eagles. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Coleman returned to San Francisco earlier this season, though he has only played in five games this year, just one of which came since Week 7. Coleman’s involvement could be an indication toward RB Elijah Mitchell’s health, who is questionable to play, though it dos not rule out Mitchell entirely.

The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette for the championship game against the Bengals. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Smith-Marsette joined the Chiefs mid-season after being waived by the Chicago Bears. Smith-Marsette has only been activated for two games with the Chiefs, playing 12 total snaps on offense and one on special teams. His elevation could mean he sees a role, albeit minor, in the Chiefs offense, though he has no touches yet as a Chief.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Marcus Kemp will make his fourth appearance in a game this season as the Chiefs elevate him for the AFC Championship. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kemp has only appeared in three games this season, only two of which he took offensive snaps, failing to see a target or a touch in either. Kemp will likely play mostly on special teams, with only 42 career receiving yards.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Kansas City Chiefs are activating TE Jody Fortson (elbow) from injured reserve ahead of the conference championship. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fortson has not played since Dec. 18 against the Texans as he dealt with an elbow injury. The Chiefs utilize a rotation of tight ends behind Travis Kelce, so this is not likely an indication about Kelce’s injury status. Fortson had nine catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, QB Patrick Mahomes is expected to play in the AFC title game despite his ankle sprain, though there are concerns how his ankle will react. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mahomes’ ankle showed less swelling than anticipated, and he was able to look well in practice, giving the team the confidence to start him. However, he did not sprint during the week of practice, and there are concerns how his ankle could hold up after hits. Mahomes will start, but if his ankle reacts poorly at any point, QB Chad Henne will be available as the backup. Henne led a 98-yard TD drive against the Jaguars in the divisional round.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, who dealt with back spasms after the team’s divisional round win, is expected to play despite his questionable designation. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kelce was more than just a difference maker against Jacksonville, he was historic. His 14 catches set a postseason record for a tight end, and he topped it off with 98 yards and two touchdowns. Whether it was Chad Henne or Patrick Mahomes under center, Kelce found his way open. Against the Bengals, the Chiefs will need to rely on his abilities again to reach the Super Bowl.

After being absent from practice on Wednesday and Thursday, RB Christian McCaffrey returned to practice and is anticipated to play against the Eagles. (Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Despite missing a pair of practices with a calf injury, McCaffrey isn’t expected to miss any time. McCaffrey played on just 67% of the team’s offensive snaps against the Cowboys, which could be attributed toward either injury limitations or RB Elijah Mitchell’s return. With Mitchell potentially out, McCaffrey could be in line for more work against Philadelphia.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Texans see 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as their top candidate for their vacant head coaching position. They share mutual interest and will meet with the team next week. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Texans parted ways with Lovie Smith and have heavily pursued Ryans, who was considered a top candidate across the league for coach-needy teams. Ryans has found success in San Francisco, captaining one of the strongest defenses in the NFL. The Texans have talent on defense and have been effective at creating turnovers over the last couple of seasons, and Ryans could help usher the Texans into their new era if hired.

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was the AFC’s top alternate QB selection, remains in concussion protocol and will not be available for Pro Bowl activities as he continues to recover. (Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: While Tagovailoa was not elected directly to the Pro Bowl, he was the first alternate and was set to replace either Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow. Even a month after entering protocol, Tagovailoa remains in the process as the team is being deliberate and careful with their approach to his health. Tagovailoa’s health should remain monitored over the offseason coming off of a year where he threw for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns in 13 games.

According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, TE Hayden Hurst is good to go for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Source: Ben Baby on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hurst (calf) was a midweek addition to the Bengals’ injury report, logging a limited practice Thursday and a full practice Friday. Hurst, who had five catches and a touchdown in the divisional round, is good to go for a chance at another Super Bowl berth for Cincinnati. Hurst has been solid all season for the Bengals and is always a threat to score in the red zone, even if he had just two scores in the regular season.

Deebo Samuel was limited in practice on Thursday. (Source: Omar Ruiz on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is back-to-back limited practices for Samuel after he was originally expected to miss practice on Wednesday. He is fully expected to play on Sunday against the Eagles.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Carolina Panthers have hired Frank Reich as the team’s head coach for the 2023 season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The hiring of Reich means interim coach Steve Wilks will not return as the team’s head coach after a 6-6 finish to the year under his lead. Reich, despite being let go by the Indianapolis Colts, was successful in Indy and could quickly help out the team as they look for direction. Reich also has a history with the Panthers, playing quarterback for the organization.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the New York Jets are hiring former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as their next offensive coordinator. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hackett was fired from the Broncos after a less-than-successful season, but he has a history of working with offenses including in Buffalo and Jacksonville and in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers. Hackett has worked with Jets head coach Robert Saleh in the past as well, and he comes in to replace Mike LaFleur. With question marks at quarterback heading into 2023, this adds more speculation for the Jets offense going forward.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis) was the only player on the team not to log a full practice, though he logged a limited practice after failing to practice last week. (Source: Kansas City Chiefs on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hardman has not played a game since Nov. 6 as he has dealt with an injury that has left him sidelined for an extended time. However, he has returned to practice, even just in a limited role. There’s a chance he could make his return, though his status should be monitored. In his absence, WR Kadarius Toney saw an increased role in the divisional round.