Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Commanders. He returned to a full practice on Friday after sitting out the previous two days. Goedert probably won't be at 100% this weekend (is anyone at this time of the year?), but we're not expecting the ankle to be a major factor.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (knee) is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Commanders. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Hurts said Friday that the injured knee is "progressing" but that he expects to wear a brace on Sunday. We're not projecting him for his usual volume or efficiency on the ground. That figures to mean even more work for RB Saquon Barkley.
The Texans fired OC Bobby Slowik, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's a big fall for Slowik, who was mentioned as a potential HC candidate just a year ago. He helped QB C.J. Stroud to an impressive 2023 rookie season, with Houston finishing 12th in total yards and 13th in points. But Stroud and the Texans offense took a step back this past year, ranking 22nd in yards and 19th in points. Slowik took some heat for a high early-down run rate, but the Texans finished 10th in neutral pass rate and fifth in pass rate over expected. To our eyes, the biggest issue in Houston was an offensive line that ranked 31st in ESPN's run block win rate and 22nd in pass block win rate. We'll see what the Texans do to bolster that unit this offseason -- and who they tab to replace Slowik.
Former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll will return to coaching as the new Raiders HC. Carroll signed a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option.
According to multiple reports, Liam Coen has told the Buccaneers that he's accepting the HC job in Jacksonville. The (former) Bucs OC had previously broken off talks with the Jaguars and reportedly worked out a new deal to stay in Tampa. But then the Jags fired GM Trent Baalke, after previously saying they wouldn't.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough. We don't have any more details on his ankle injury or whether Goedert is in danger of missing Sunday's NFC Championship game. He's had a nice playoff run so far, catching eight balls for 103 yards and a score in two games. We'll see if Goedert gets back on the field on Thursday.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice report. It was an estimate as the team only held a walkthrough. "It's just been progressing," Hurts said of his knee. "Taking it a day at a time. I was able to participate and being involved in stuff. Taking it one day at a time." Hurts is a virtual lock to play in Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Commanders, but it remains unclear how effective he'll be with his legs. We're currently projecting him for 29 rushing yards -- well below his season-long average of 42.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson's offseason plans include working with biometric expert Chris Hess, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. Hess' client list includes QB Josh Allen, who credits Hess with helping him boost his completion rate from 52.8% as a rookie to 69.2% by his third season. Richardson completed just 47.7% of his passes this past year.
The Jets are hiring Aaron Glenn as their new HC, according to multiple reports. It's a homecoming for Glenn, who was the Jets' first-round pick back in 1994. He played eight seasons with the team, earning two Pro Bowl nods. Glenn played through the 2008 season and took his first coaching job in 2014. He was a DBs coach for the Browns and Saints before taking over as Lions DC in 2021. Detroit climbed from 31st in points allowed in Glenn's first season to seventh this past year, despite a ton of injuries. We'll see who Glenn chooses to run his offense. We've heard current Lions QBs coach Mark Brunell mentioned as a candidate. Of course, the biggest question in New York is whether QB Aaron Rodgers will return for the 2025 season. Stay tuned.
The Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as OC under new HC Mike Vrabel, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a homecoming for McDaniels, who had two previous stints with New England. He ran the offense from 2006 to 2008 and then again from 2012 to 2021. The Patriots ranked top eight in points in 12 of McDaniels' 13 seasons and top 11 in yards in 10 of 13. Of course, the majority of those offenses were quarterbacked by Tom Brady. In three years without Brady, McDaniels' Patriots finished eighth, 27th, and sixth in points; fifth, 27th, and 15th in yards. McDaniels also spent two seasons as Broncos HC (2009-2010), one as Rams OC (2011), and two as Raiders HC (2022-2023). None of those teams ranked better than 12th in yards or points. McDaniels has shown the ability to morph his offense to fit the personnel, with eight top-10 finishes in rushing yards and 10 top-10 finishes in passing yards. He's not as exciting for QB Drake Maye and this Patriots offense as Ben Johnson or even Liam Coen would have been. But McDaniels is at least a known commodity and should bring some stability to this offense in 2025. We'll see what the team does this offseason to upgrade the offensive line and skill positions.
The Bears are finalizing a deal to make Ben Johnson their new HC, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Johnson has been one of the hottest names in coaching circles for a couple of years now. He's helped the Lions to three straight top-5 finishes in both points and total yards. Detroit ranked seventh in offensive DVOA in 2022, fifth in 2023, and third this past year. Johnson had plenty of talent work with on those Lions teams but maximized that talent with creative and effective play calling. This will be his first go as a HC.
Broncos QB Bo Nix revealed that he played through transverse process fractures in his back. "Yes, I got twisted up a little bit, had three process fractures. A lot of guys play with a lot of those kinds of things," he said earlier this month, per ESPN. The injury popped up vs. Vegas in Week 12. Denver had a Monday night game in Week 13, and then a Week 14 bye. "I wasn't going to miss the first Monday night game. I got treatment on it, and then we were fortunate to have an off week that next week. It kind of went away after that. It was annoying, but we all play with annoying [ailments]," he said. Nix played well down the stretch, ultimately finishing as the QB8 in total fantasy points.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts said after Sunday's win over the Rams that he's "confident" he'll be ready for the NFC Championship against the Commanders. Hurts injured his left knee in the third quarter of the Rams game. He didn't miss any snaps but clearly wasn't at 100% the rest of the way. Hurts took a safety on the possession after the injury and didn't have a carry the rest of the game. So, while he'll likely be out there this weekend, it remains to be seen how effective he'll be with his legs. Hurts totaled 80 rushing yards and one TD in two games against Washington this season.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers (knee) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Bills. He remained sidelined in practice all week and would be uncertain for the AFC Championship if the Ravens win this one. Flowers' absence leaves WR Rashod Bateman and TEs Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely as Baltimore's best target bets.
Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is active for today's game against the Chiefs. He was questionable with a knee issue that kept him out of Tuesday's practice and limited Al-Shaair the next two days. He was expected to play, though.
Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) is active for today's game vs. the Chiefs. He didn't practice all week, so it's unclear what kind of role Woods will be ready for today. He's not a recommended play in any fantasy format.
Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is active for today's game vs. the Chiefs. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday. So it's safe to assume Mixon won't be at 100% today, although there never seemed to be much doubt about whether he'd play. See where Mixon lands in the Divisional Round RB Rankings.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. He didn't practice all week. HC John Harbaugh said Friday that Flowers has "a chance" to play this weekend, but it's clearly a long shot. Flowers' absence would leave WR Rashod Bateman and TEs Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely as Baltimore's top three targets.
Bills RB Ray Davis (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Ravens. He was limited in practice and remained in a red non-contact jersey all week. Davis still has work to do to clear protocol before kickoff. We'll keep you posted on his progress. Davis' absence would be a small boost to RB James Cook's carry projection.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is back on the field, throwing and training, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Thursday. McCarthy is working his way back from a right knee injury suffered in August. He had his meniscus repaired on August 14 and a second surgery in November to address swelling. But it sounds like McCarthy is trending in the right direction now and should be able to participate in the offseason program
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