The Ravens have claimed WR Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Texans, NFL Network reports. Johnson, of course, spent some time with Baltimore earlier this season after Carolina traded him away. The Ravens dumped him after four games.
Texans TE Cade Stover needs surgery for a shoulder injury he suffered in the Wild Card win over the Chargers, HC Demeco Ryans said Tuesday. Stover has been operating as Houston's No. 2 TE for most of the season, catching 15 of 22 targets for 133 yards and a score across 15 regular-season games. He caught all four of his targets for 28 yards in the playoff opener. We'll look for more details on Stover's injury and see when he's able to get back on the field. But with TE Dalton Schultz likely back in Houston for 2025, Stover is unlikely to be a fantasy factor.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur wants to get TE Tucker Kraft even more involved in the offense in 2025. He answered, "100%" when asked if Kraft can make a Travis Kelce or George Kittle-type of impact.
The Browns promoted TE coach Tommy Rees to OC. The 32-year-old becomes the youngest OC in the league. Rees was Notre Dame's starting QB just 12 years ago. He quickly flamed out in the NFL before getting into coaching. He most recently served as Notre Dame's OC from 2020-2022 and Alabama's OC in 2023 before joining the Browns last year. According to NFL Network, HC Kevin Stefanski is expected to take back over as the play-caller after giving those duties to former OC Ken Dorsey last year. The biggest question in Cleveland, of course, is who will be under center in 2025. QB Deshaun Watson is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season after re-tearing his Achilles. QB Jameis Winston is a free agent. We've already heard QB Kirk Cousins connected to Cleveland after he spent two seasons under Stefanski in Minnesota. Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, meanwhile, notes that Rees coached QB Jalen Milroe at Alabama. Milroe is expected to be a first- or second-round pick in this spring's draft.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (rib) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. He's on track to play vs. the Texans on Saturday. Pacheco split backfield work with RB Kareem Hunt after returning from his leg injury, totaling 49 carries and eight targets in five games vs. Hunt's 45 carries and 10 targets. We're projecting a similar split against Houston.
Lions RB David Montgomery (knee) was listed as a full participant on Tuesday's practice report. Detroit only held a walkthrough, but this confirms that Montgomery is on track to play vs. the Commanders on Saturday. It's still unclear exactly how close to 100% he'll be for that one, a little less than five weeks after injuring his MCL. We'll keep tabs on his status.
Rams HC Sean McVay said Tuesday that he expects TE Tyler Higbee (chest) to play vs. the Eagles on Sunday. Higbee was hospitalized on Monday night after coughing up blood but will evidently be cleared to play six days later. We'll keep an eye on his status throughout this week. Higbee was a big part of the Rams' passing game before exiting the Vikings game, catching all five of his targets across two possessions. He'll face a tough task this weekend against Philadelphia's third-ranked TE defense.
The Texans have waived WR Diontae Johnson ahead of their Divisional Round playoff game against the Chiefs. That marks the fourth team that has sent him away since the end of the 2023 NFL season.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee was knocked out of Monday night's Wild Card win over the Vikings with a chest injury. HC Sean McVay said afterward that Higbee was taken to the hospital. "He’s in stable condition," McVay added. "It was something with his chest. I think he’s gonna be okay. What does that mean, in terms of his status moving forward, I don’t know." Higbee seems unlikely to be ready for Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. He was busy before going down against Minnesota, catching all five of his targets across two possessions. His absence would leave the Rams with TEs Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson, and Hunter Long.
Vikings RB Cam Akers (illness) is active for tonight's game vs. the Rams. He popped up on the injury report on Saturday but should be ready for his usual change-of-pace role behind RB Aaron Jones tonight.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh said Monday that they're in "we'll see mode" with WR Zay Flowers' status for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. Harbaugh added that Flowers could play without practicing, but it sounds like he's no better than 50/50 to be available for this one. We'll keep you updated on Flowers' status throughout the week. WR Rashod Bateman (78%), TE Mark Andrews (78%), and TE Isaiah Likely (74%) finished top three in route rate for Baltimore in the Wild Card win over the Steelers.
The Cowboys and HC Mike McCarthy are "parting ways," a team spokesman said. The two sides reportedly talked about a new deal but couldn't come to an agreement. So McCarthy becomes a coaching free agent after five seasons in Dallas. He went 49-35 with the Cowboys, making the playoffs in three of five years. McCarthy is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, including the Saints and Bears, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Cowboys, meanwhile, join the list of teams that will have a new coaching staff in 2025. They have QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb signed through 2028
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean left Sunday's win over the Packers with a left knee injury. NFL Network reports that it's a torn patellar tendon, which not only ends Dean's season but will challenge his readiness for 2025.
Bills RB Ray Davis sustained a concussion in Sunday's Wild Card win over the Broncos. That leaves him iffy for next weekend's Divisional Round game vs. the Ravens. We'll track Davis' progress through the protocol throughout the coming week. Davis has been operating as Buffalo's No. 3 RB behind James Cook and Ty Johnson, so his absence wouldn't make much of a fantasy impact.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is active for tonight's game vs. the Commanders. It'll be his first action since Week 15. Otton should step back in as Tampa Bay's primary pass-catching TE but isn't a very exciting fantasy play. He averaged just 4.3 targets, 2.5 catches, and 36 yards across his last four games with WR Mike Evans back. TE Devin Culp is a healthy scratch tonight.
Broncos RB Audric Estime is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Bills. RB Tyler Badie is active for the first time since Week 4. He joins Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams in the backfield. McLaughlin remains the top fantasy play, although Estime's absence probably gives the biggest boost to Williams.
The Patriots on Sunday morning announced the least surprising news of this coaching cycle by naming Mike Vrabel as new head coach.
Vikings RB Cam Akers is listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Rams after missing Saturday's practice with an illness. Players rarely miss games with illnesses, but Akers' status will be worth watching. His absence would leave Ty Chandler as Minnesota's lead back -- and likely mean more volume for RB Aaron Jones.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston (thigh, illness) is active for today’s game vs. the Texans. We’re expecting him to play his usual role. Coming off a career-best 13-186-0 line, Johnston is certainly in play in Wild Card DFS contests.
Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Texans. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, so it’s safe to assume he won’t be at 100%. RB Gus Edwards is also back from his knee injury for this one and figures to mix in behind Dobbins. RB Kimani Vidal is a healthy scratch, leaving Hassan Haskins as the No. 3 RB.
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