Across 17 games in the 2025 regular season, Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner set career-highs across the board with 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets. However, the 23-year-old was held without a catch and earned zero targets in Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Barner may also see a drop in playing time in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee), who has been on Injured Reserve since Week 14 due to a knee injury, has returned to full practice participation and may be nearing his return. It's worth noting that Barner performed well in the regular season against the Rams, hauling in 14 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across two matchups. Still, it may be difficult for him to repeat his success, given that Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) will likely be playing through an oblique injury. Given his underwhelming outing in the Divisional Round and the uncertain situation around him in Seattle, Barner may be a player for fantasy managers to avoid on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp had one of the least impactful regular seasons of his career in 2025, recording 47 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets across 16 games. However, the 32-year-old had one of his better performances in Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in five catches for 60 yards on five targets. Kupp's numbers may not jump off the page, but they are made more impressive when considering that Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) threw for just 124 yards on 17 pass attempts in the team's 41-6 win. In the NFC Championship Game, Kupp will face the organization he spent the first eight years of his career with in the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp was held in check by the Rams in the regular season, recording six catches for 62 yards on 11 targets across two matchups. Still, Kupp played his highest snap share of the season (93% of offensive snaps) in the most recent meeting between the two teams in Week 16. Between the revenge-game motivation and Kupp's encouraging Divisional Round performance, he could be in for a big game in the NFC Championship.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has led his team to victory in each of his first two postseason starts, completing 58.9% of his pass attempts for 447 yards and four touchdowns along the way. However, ball security has been a major concern for the 23-year-old, as he has taken 10 sacks, thrown two interceptions, and fumbled six times (three of which were lost). Maye will now face a difficult matchup in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. Denver's defense finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1) and first in sacks (68). In the Divisional Round, the Broncos' defense forced Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to commit four turnovers. Additionally, Denver's offense is working with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, which could lead New England to lean into a run-heavy and conservative offensive approach. As a result, Maye could be a player for fantasy managers to avoid on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford did enough to lead his team to victory, but did not have his best performance in the Divisional Round against the Chicago Bears. The 37-year-old completed 20 of 42 pass attempts (47.6%) for 258 yards without finding the end zone, and also took four sacks. However, it's worth noting that Stafford was playing through a sprained right index finger. The veteran quarterback has been removed from the injury report heading into his NFC Championship Game matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, so he may now be feeling closer to 100%. The Seahawks fielded one of the NFL's best pass defenses during the regular season, but Stafford was the one quarterback they seemingly could not contain. Across the two regular-season matchups between the two teams, Stafford completed 44 of 77 pass attempts for 587 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Particularly given his improved health status, Stafford profiles as a high-end quarterback option for fantasy managers on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) is currently battling an oblique injury as his team prepares to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The 28-year-old reportedly plans to play through the ailment, just as he did in Seattle's Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. However, Darnold did not have to do much in the 41-6 win over San Francisco, completing 12 of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards and one touchdown. Darnold struggled in his two regular-season matchups against the Rams, throwing a combined six interceptions and taking four sacks. Dating back to the regular season, the dominant Seahawks' defense has held six of its last seven opponents to 16 points or fewer. Given Darnold's health status, Seattle may look to lean on its defense and run game to get past Los Angeles. Fantasy managers may want to avoid starting Darnold against the Rams.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team wouldn't open Hollins' 21-day practice window on Wednesday, but they did so a day later. It's good news for the veteran 32-year-old pass catcher, who has been on Injured Reserve since Dec. 27, but it doesn't mean he'll officially be activated and play in the NFC Championship game this Sunday versus the hosting Denver Broncos. In his first year with the Patriots in 2025, Hollins served as a deep threat for young quarterback Drake Maye, hauling in 46 of his 65 targets for 550 yards and only two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. If Hollins returns this weekend, his snap count could be limited, making him hard to trust for fantasy purposes against a strong Denver defense.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that quarterback Jarrett Stidham's football IQ and his composure/calmness are "elite," according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Payton continues to build up Stidham's confidence as the 29-year-old backup prepares for his first NFL start since 2023 in the AFC Championship this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Stidham will be the No. 4 fantasy QB going into this weekend's action after starter Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Stidham has a strong arm, is accurate, and knows Payton's system well, so he might not be much of a downgrade over Nix if he performs up to his capabilities against New England. It won't be easy, though, against a Patriots defense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs over the last five weeks.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com. Arroyo landed on IR after injuring his knee in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he's missed each of the last five games. Now that he's practicing in full, though, he could be activated off IR and play in the NFC Championship tilt this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old second-rounder out of Miami wasn't a major factor during the regular season, so fantasy managers probably should avoid using him in playoff lineups if he returns this weekend. In 13 regular-season games, Arroyo had 15 receptions on 26 targets for 179 yards and only one touchdown. AJ Barner is still the TE to use in fantasy despite his donut in the Divisional Round win over the 49ers.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover's (knee) MRI exam showed no damage to his ACL, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Sports. Stover was unable to make much happen after fellow tight end Dalton Schultz (calf) left the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots before getting hurt himself in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old caught one of his three targets for only two yards. The good news is that Stover should be a full-go for training camp in the summer and for Week 1 of the regular season in the fall. In his second year in the league, the former fourth-rounder caught just 12 passes for 76 yards and no touchdowns on 16 targets in nine regular-season games. As long as Schultz is healthy going into the start of the season, Stover won't be fantasy relevant. He had a 15-133-1 line in 15 games in 2024 in his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that surgery "went well" for quarterback Bo Nix (ankle), according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Nix had surgery for a broken bone in his right ankle that he suffered at the tail end of Saturday's overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. The 25-year-old had one of his best games of the season, too, going 26-for-46 for 279 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The Broncos haven't given a timetable for Nix's recovery, but we'd be surprised if he wasn't ready to go for the start of the 2026 campaign, where he'll easily be a top-12 fantasy QB. With Nix out for the AFC Championship this weekend against the visiting New England Patriots, the Broncos will go with backup Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't started a game in the NFL since 2023.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry faces the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, and the Broncos have allowed 59.7receiving yards per game to tight ends this season.

Fantasy Spin: Buffalo's Dalton Kincaid finished with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown against Denver last weekend, and Henry could have a similar impact. Henry had seven touchdown receptions in the regular season and already has one score during the playoffs. He could end up being the top tight end in fantasy playoff contests this weekend.

From TheHuddle

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Franklin played only 13 offensive snaps in last weekend's win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and wasn't targeted at all before suffering a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout Pat Bryant (concussion) also departed early, and both receivers are now questionable to play in the AFC Championship on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Even if Franklin plays this weekend and Bryant is held out, Franklin's fantasy stock is down heading into championship weekend now that backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham is taking over for the injured Bo Nix (ankle). Franklin averaged only 8.3 half-PPR points per game in the regular season and is shaping up as an extremely risky fantasy option this week.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) was listed as a limited participant in his return to practice on Wednesday, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Dobbins' 21-day practice window has been opened, but he remains on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old has not played since Week 10 due to a Lisfranc foot injury that required surgery. He has a chance to be active this Sunday for the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots, but Dobbins is probably more doubtful than probable for this weekend, at least until he upgrades to a full practice. At the time of his injury, the Broncos weren't expecting Dobbins to contribute again this season. Dobbins was on pace for a career season with 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns before his injury. If he returned on Sunday, it would probably be in a limited role alongside rookie RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, according to DenverBroncos.com's Aric DiLalla. Before leaving against Buffalo, the 23-year-old third-rounder out of Illinois caught all three of his targets for 32 yards. It's good to see Bryant practicing, but it's worth noting that Bryant also suffered a concussion in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed the following week. He still needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist and is up in the air to be available for the AFC Championship versus the New England Patriots. Troy Franklin (hamstring) was also injured last weekend, so Marvin Mims Jr. may serve as Denver's WR2 again as the Broncos look to get back to the Super Bowl.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks OT Charles Cross (foot), OT Joshua Jones (ankle, knee) and OT Amari Kight (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 21. OG Bryce Cabeldue (knee), QB Sam Darnold (oblique), LB DeMarcus Lawrence (non-injury), LB Uchenna Nwosu (hamstring), FB Robbie Ouzts (neck), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (non-injury) and DE Leonard Williams (non-injury) were limited during practice. TE Elijah Arroyo (knee), RB George Holani (hamstring), LB Tyrice Knight (shoulder) and LB Chazz Surratt (ankle) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (oblique) was limited during practice Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Fantasy Spin: Darnold will miss some practice time this week but should be fine for the NFC Championship game after playing last week despite the injury. He should be a starting option in all fantasy leagues this week.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) and LB Marte Mapu (hip) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 21. CB Carlton Davis (concussion), LB Christian Elliss (hip), TE Hunter Henry (non-injury), OT Morgan Moses (non-injury) and OT Thayer Munford (knee) were limited during practice. DT Joshua Farmer (hamstring), RB TreVeyon Henderson (shoulder), RB Terrell Jennings (head) and LB Robert Spillane (hand) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry (non-injury) was limited during practice Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Fantasy Spin: Henry seems to be receiving some rest leading up to the AFC Championship game, but he should not have any limitations during the game. He will likely see a handful of targets during the game and can be a No. 1 tight end in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) is expected to return from his ACL injury around the start of training camp, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Bosa tore the ACL in his right knee back on Sept. 21 (Week 3), so he should have a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, depending on how he does in his recovery. First-round defensive lineman Mykel Williams (knee) is also expected to be ready to return around training camp. It would be great news for the 49ers' defense if both Bosa and Williams are ready for Week 1, considering how banged up the team's defense was in 2025. Bosa was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, when he had a league-high 18.5 sacks, but durability issues make him a risk/reward pass-rusher in IDP fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz's (calf) calf injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, according to general manager Nick Caserio.

Fantasy Spin: It seems like Schultz should be able to participate in most of the offseason workouts despite the injury. He will likely be a solid part of the Texans passing game next season and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end in deeper leagues.

From TheHuddle