Fantasy Football News

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the New York Jets are hiring former 49ers DC Robert Saleh to a five-year contract. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Jets themselves have already made the hire official. Saleh is an enthusiastic defensive mind who was responsible for a dominant San Francisco defense in 2019. Unfortunately, his unit was ravaged by injuries this year, but it didn't kill his future head coach shine. The next order of business for the Jets will be figuring out what to do with both Sam Darnold and the No. 2 overall draft pick.

Rams DL Aaron Donald (ribs) was removed from the team's final injury report and will play on Saturday against the Packers. (Source: Cameron DaSilva on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The expectation all week has been that Donald will play. LA will certainly need their stud defensive lineman on the road in Green Bay, opposite Aaron Rodgers and company.

Rams WR Cooper Kupp (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Round matchup against the Packers. (Source: Cameron DaSilva on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kupp is dealing with knee inflammation but one figures he'll do everything in his power to suit up and play. Both Kupp and QB Jared Goff (thumb) could be playing at less than 100 percent, which makes this passing attack one to avoid for DFS purposes. Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson will run more routes if Kupp can't go.

Saints RB Latavius Murray (quad) was once again sidelined during Thursday's practice. (Source: Nick Underhill on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Murray didn't practice on Wednesday either. We'll know more about his status once the Saints reveal their final injury report on Friday afternoon. Alvin Kamara could see a bump in usage, especially in the red zone, if Murray doesn't suit up.

Taysom Hill (knee) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice. (Source: Nick Underhill on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hill didn't practice on Wednesday either, so there's a real chance that he won't suit up in the Divisional Round against Tampa Bay. Of course, even a "limited" practice on Friday will give him a shot at playing. We know that coach Sean Payton would be thrilled to have him.

Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Waddle was limited to six appearances this year due to an ankle injury. However, he was able to suit up in the National Championship this week (although the 22-year-old certainly wasn't 100 percent). Waddle is viewed as an extremely talented receiver with good yards-after-catch ability. One concern will be his age (23 as a rookie). Still, Waddle is viewed as a first-round pick.

Alabama QB Mac Jones has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Jones finished his college career by leading Alabama to a National Championship over Ohio State this week. He had a fantastic year, totaling 41 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Additionally, the 22-year-old completed 77.4% of his passes. Perhaps his success was merely a product of Alabama's explosive offense, but there's a chance a team rolls the dice with him in the first round come late-April. If nothing else Jones should wind up as a second-round selection.

Bills WR Stefon Diggs (oblique) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Divisional Round matchup against the Ravens. (Source: Buffalo Bills PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Diggs' status was never in doubt but it's encouraging to see that he was able to get in a full practice on Thursday. DFS players should consider him a WR1 despite a tough matchup against Baltimore.

Bills WR Cole Beasley (knee) was once again limited in Thursday's practice. (Source: Buffalo Bills PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Beasley will play in the Divisional Round against the Ravens. He was limited in practice all week and probably isn't 100 percent, but DFS players should count on him making an impact as a slot receiver. Beasley hauled in 7-of-7 targets for 57 yards last Saturday against the Colts.

Sammy Watkins (calf) was absent from Thursday's practice ahead of the Divisional Round. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Watkins didn't practice on Wednesday either. His status appears to be truly up in the air entering Sunday's Divisional Round matchup against Cleveland. He'll need a "limited" practice on Friday to have a chance at suiting up.

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip, ankle) was downgraded to "DNP" on Thursday. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: CEH was able to get in a "limited" session on Wednesday, but this isn't the best news for his Divisional Round availability. Still, this could simply be the Chiefs managing his reps ahead of his return. We'll know more about his status once KC releases their final injury report on Friday afternoon.

Jared Goff (thumb) will be the Rams' starting quarterback in Saturday's Divisional Round matchup against the Packers. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: John Wolford (neck) has been ruled out, so the team is once again turning to Goff despite his thumb injury. Goff was apparently healthy enough to dress for last weekend's game against Seattle, but he wasn't healthy enough to start. Perhaps he is healthier seven days later, however. Blake Bortles will be his backup if things go awry. Of course, LA is likely to ride Cam Akers and the running game in this one.

Rams QB John Wolford (neck) has been ruled out for Saturday's Divisional Round matchup against the Packers. (Source: Andrew Siciliano on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wolford suffered the neck injury early on in Wild Card Weekend against Seattle. Jared Goff (thumb) will be thrust into the starting role after his own injury was serious enough for him not to start last weekend.

Colts GM Chris Ballard says he plans to meet with QB Philip Rivers in "about a month." (Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "Do I think Philip can still play? Absolutely. He's going to take some time, and we're going to take some time. We'll meet again in about a month," Ballard said. This comes after the two sides met for about an hour earlier this week. The 39-year-old Rivers was effective behind Indy's strong offensive line this season, and the Colts don't have an in-house option waiting in the wings. Our guess is they ultimately bring Rivers back on a one-year deal, but we'll know more within the coming months.

Colts GM Chris Ballard is unsure if the team will look to re-sign impending free agent Marlon Mack. (Source: Kevin Bowen on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "I don’t know if we are able to do that here," Ballard said. It's worth noting that he didn't rule out a second contract for Mack in Indy, but one would imagine that there is little incentive for them to bring him back. Rookie Jonathan Taylor wound up finishing third in the NFL in rushing yards this season, and Nyheim Hines looks to be the perfect complement to his power running abilities. The 24-year-old Mack tore his Achilles back in Week 1 and was placed on season-ending IR.

Colts GM Chris Ballard says WR Parris Campbell will be "a valuable member of this team moving forward." (Source: George Bremer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Ballard added that Campbell's injuries were the result of "bad luck." Campbell appeared in just two games this year after suiting up for just seven in 2019. Entering his third season, Campbell should still be viewed as a starter in three-wide sets, especially if T.Y. Hilton winds up leaving in free agency.

The Browns activated WR KhaDarel Hodge from the reserve/COVID-19 list. (Source: Cleveland Browns on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hodge was able to return to Cleveland's facilities on Thursday and will be able to play on Sunday against the Chiefs. Don't expect him to be a fantasy factor, however.

Ronald Jones II, who is dealing with a quad injury, was back at practice on Thursday per Tampa beat writer Rick Stroud. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is a good sign for Jones II, who was absent from Wednesday's practice. It's unclear, as of now, if he was a full or limited participant on Thursday, though. The running back suffered a setback with his quad during pre-game warm ups against the Washington Football Team in the Wild Card round last weekend. It sounds as if he's trending in the right direction and he still has a few more days to get healthy before the Bucs take on the Saints on Sunday in the Divisional Round. If RoJo is unable to go, Tampa Bay will rely on Leonard Fournette as they did last Saturday against the Washington Football Team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are rumored to be working towards finalizing a deal making Urban Meyer the next head coach of their franchise. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The speculation throughout recent weeks regarding former Ohio State head coach and three-time national champion Urban Meyer having serious interest in coaching for a NFL franchise appears to be accurate. Meyer is rumored to be in ongoing negotiations with the Jaguars to become their next head coach, which includes the No. 1 overall pick and a bevy of draft picks and cap space to work with. Continue monitoring the situation down in Jacksonville on Thursday.

When asked whether or not QB Ben Roethlisberger will be back next season, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said: "I think it’s reasonable to assume there is a chance he is going to be back, certainly." (Source: Joe Rutter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Of course, Tomlin's response doesn't really answer the question. The point is that even the Steelers are unsure of Roethlisberger's plans at this time. Big Ben remains under contract through 2021 but he appeared very limited at times this past season. Retirement questions will likely surround Roethlisberger until we get official word on what his plans are. Stay tuned.