Los Angeles Chargers running backs J.K. Dobbins (ankle) and Gus Edwards (ankle) were both limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Wednesday. Barring a setback on Thursday, Dobbins should be active for Saturday's wild-card playoff tilt in Houston against the Texans as the Chargers' lead back. Edwards, meanwhile, might need to upgrade to a full practice on Thursday to avoid a questionable tag going into Saturday after he missed the final two games of the regular season. Both backs have dealt with injuries in 2024, but the 26-year-old Dobbins has been much more productive as LA's primary backfield option when they've both been healthy at the same time. Against a Texans defense that has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, Dobbins checks in as a low-end RB1 for fantasy managers in the first week of the postseason.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (thigh, illness) was downgraded to a non-participant in practice on Wednesday after he was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Tuesday. Hopefully for the Chargers, Johnston's absence on Wednesday was because he wasn't feeling well and not because of his thigh injury. The 23-year-old's practice status on Thursday will go a long way towards determining whether he'll be able to play on Saturday against the hosting Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. With Joshua Palmer (foot) missing the Week 18 regular-season finale and not practicing yet this week, the Chargers' receiving corps behind rookie Ladd McConkey could be down to DJ Chark and Derius Davis. If Johnston ends up playing, he will have considerable upside as a WR2 in fantasy against a porous Texans secondary.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Brown battled through a minor knee injury late in the season and was held out of the Week 18 win over the New York Giants as a precaution so that he'd be ready to roll for the wild-card round of the playoffs. Both Brown and DeVonta Smith, who was also held out in Week 18 due to a minor wrist injury, should be ready for Sunday's playoff contest against the visiting Green Bay Packers. In Weeks 16 and 17, the 27-year-old Brown caught 11 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns after the Eagles made their lackluster passing attack a point of emphasis. Brown caught five of 10 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in the season opener in the 34-29 win over the Packers and should be considered a high-end WR1 for the rematch with Green Bay this weekend.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (wrist) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report after putting in a full practice session. Smith didn't practice at all last week before being held out of the Week 18 win over the division-rival New York Giants in the regular-season finale as a precaution due to a minor wrist injury he had been dealing with. With extra time to rest up, it appears the 26-year-old will be ready to rock for this Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The bigger question mark is whether quarterback Jalen Hurts will clear the concussion protocol by Sunday. If Hurts is ready to go, Smith should be considered a low-end WR1 for DFS fantasy lineups as more of a boom/bust fantasy option as second fiddle to A.J. Brown. In the Week 1 win over the Packers, Smith caught seven of eight targets for 84 yards.

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The Chicago Bears interviewed Mike Vrabel for their vacant head-coach position on Wednesday. Vrabel most recently was a coaching and personnel consultant with the Browns in 2024. Prior to that role, Vrabel coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. During his time as the Titans' head coach, Vrabel amassed a record of 54-45. He led the Titans to three playoff appearances including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2019. Vrabel is widely regarded as an excellent head coaching candidate. The Bears are desperately in need of stability from top to bottom as an organization. After starting 2024 4-2, the Bears proceeded to lose ten straight games before winning their season finale against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears' poor season resulted in the firing of former head coach Matt Eberflus after a bad Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. The Bears have a promising young quarterback in Caleb Williams who could benefit from a mentor like Vrabel. However, Vrabel will have his fair share of suitors throughout the head coaching hiring cycle.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot/knee) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Shepard was listed on the practice report for a hamstring injury last week so his presence with a new injury this week is slightly worrisome for Bucs fans. Shepard has had a nice season for the Bucs. He has operated primarily as the No. 3 wide receiver due to injuries to both Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (finger) for much of the season. McMillan and Mike Evans (rest) are currently the top two options in this passing offense. However, Shepard plays an important role as a chain mover when called upon. He recorded 32 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown in 2024. He has been solid all around for a Buccaneers team with a legitimate shot at making a playoff run this season. His status will need to be monitored heading into the weekend. The Bucs will need all the help they can get against a young and hungry Washington Commanders team on Sunday night.

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Jackson was also a full participant on Tuesday. His practice participation is encouraging for Eagles fans considering he has not played since Week 17. Jackson has been a reliable second cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr. He recorded eight passes defensed and a team-leading five interceptions this season. The Steelers have struggled to defend the pass without Jackson over the last couple of weeks. He appears to be tracking to play this weekend which would be a huge boost to the secondary. With Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) reportedly a long shot to play this weekend, getting Jackson back in the lineup will be that much more important for the Steelers.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Wilson has been marred by injuries all season long. He was only able to play in one regular season game. He did not record any statistics in a Week 6 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilson is a talented rookie with excellent route-running ability and speed. He has the talent to be a legitimate No. 2 option opposite George Pickens. The Steelers are in desperate need of playmaking ability, and Wilson could provide that immediately. Wilson has been practicing with the team for the past couple of weeks. He was unable to play in the regular season finale, but he seems to be tracking to play in a huge Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Of course, he will need to be activated from injured reserve in order to do so. Wilson would likely see limited snaps in this game, but his playmaking ability would allow him to do a lot with limited action.

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (illness) did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. Heyward is an absolute game-wrecker. He will be completely necessary for the Steelers to have any chance of winning this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. The 35-year-old has produced quite the season. In all 17 games played, Heyward has racked up 71 total tackles and eight sacks. He is excellent in both the running and passing games. With the Ravens able to beat teams in a multitude of ways, Heyward's services will be needed in all facets of the game. Heyward's absence on a Wednesday is not concerning at this point. Hopefully, he will return to practice before the weekend to avoid a game designation. However, Heyward is a savvy veteran who has the ability to play on limited to no practice reps.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Pickett suffered a rib injury in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders after he filled in for Jalen Hurts (concussion/left finger) when Hurts left the game early. Pickett proceeded to aggravate the injury in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday which suggests that he is on track to play this weekend against the Green Bay Packers. However, Pickett's participation in practice at least provides the Eagles with a path towards a potential backup plan should Hurts miss this game or be knocked out of the game once again. Hopefully, both quarterbacks will be healthy enough to suit up this weekend and provide the Eagles with the depth they need.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion/left finger) was limited in practice on Wednesday. NFL fans got the news earlier in the day that Hurts would practice. However, he was officially listed as a limited participant. Hurts is most notably working his way through the concussion protocol. His return to practice in any capacity bodes well for his chances to play on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles own the NFC's No. 2 seed as they enter the playoffs. They will face a tough task when an 11-win Packers team comes to town for Wild Card weekend. While the Eagles roster is very stout, there is no doubt that this is a substantially better team with Hurts healthy. He is especially important in the running game. Hurts has scored 42 rushing touchdowns combined over his last three seasons. Expect the Eagles to be in good shape against the Packers this weekend should Hurts ultimately return to the lineup.

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Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (quadriceps) put in a full practice on Wednesday. Daniels was pulled as a precaution in the Week 18 win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday with quadriceps soreness, but his full availability at practice on Wednesday means he's not really in any danger of missing his playoff debut in the wild-card round on Sunday night versus the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 24-year-old second overall pick only had 184 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in his NFL debut in the Week 1 loss to the Bucs, but he also added 88 rushing yards and two rushing scores. Daniels really impressed in his first year in the NFL and was the QB5 in overall fantasy scoring, finishing only second to Lamar Jackson with 891 rushing yards. Against a suspect Tampa secondary, Daniels will be a top-five fantasy QB for those setting DFS lineups.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant. It's good news for Otton after he missed the final three games of the regular season due to his knee injury, although he might need to upgrade to a full practice in the next two days to avoid taking a questionable designation into Sunday night's wild-card playoff game against the visiting Washington Commanders. Head coach Todd Bowles said that Otton is "trending in the right direction" to return this weekend, for what it's worth. The 25-year-old has been a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1 for fantasy managers when healthy, but if he is a game-time decision on Sunday night, it would be wise to go in another direction at the position for starting lineups during wild-card weekend. Payne Durham and rookie Devin Culp saw more snaps with Otton sidelined to close out the regular season.

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The Los Angeles Chargers designated cornerback Eli Apple (hamstring) to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday by opening his 21-day practice window. Apple was put on IR back on Nov. 27 but is now eligible to return to practice with the team this week. Despite Apple's return to practice for the Bolts, the 29-year-old isn't guaranteed to play this Saturday against the Houston Texans to get wild-card weekend kicked off. Before injuring his hamstring and landing on IR, the former first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2016 out of Ohio State played in only four games for LA and had two solo tackles and one pass breakup. If Apple is active this weekend, he'll most likely operate in a reserve role for the Chargers' secondary. The Chargers defense allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL in 2024 and will be a popular fantasy play on Saturday against a struggling Texans offense.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion, illness) was upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday after he kicked off the week on Tuesday with a limited practice. Hill missed the final two games of the regular season due to a concussion that he suffered in Week 16 while also dealing with an illness. It appears the 27-year-old is feeling much better, although he still will need clearance from an independent neurologist later this week to return to play on Saturday night when the team hosts the visiting division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the postseason. When healthy, the pass-catching specialist has limited fantasy upside as the change-of-pace option behind lead back Derrick Henry. However, the Ravens were the highest-scoring offense in the NFL in 2024, and Hill did set career-highs in receptions (42) and receiving yards (383) in 15 games.

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Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, which is a good sign for his chances of playing on Sunday night in the wild-card round of the playoffs versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Lattimore does indeed suit up, he'll likely draw a lot of veteran receiver Mike Evans, Tampa's top offensive weapon. The Commanders acquired Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline, but he sat out Weeks 9-13 with a hamstring injury and missed the Week 18 regular-season finale as well with the same injury in the win over the Dallas Cowboys. Evans' fantasy upside might take a hit if Lattimore returns for the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Commanders defense/special teams unit should be faded this week against a Bucs offense that was among the best in the NFL in 2024.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (heel) remained out of the team's practice session on Wednesday. The Chargers kept Palmer out of the Week 18 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in the season finale, and after two missed practices already this week, it's not looking good for his availability on Saturday in Houston against the Texans for the wild-card playoff round. If the 25-year-old pass-catcher misses a second straight game, look for DJ Chark and Derius Davis to get more snaps on offense behind wideouts Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. If active against the Texans, Palmer will be a touchdown-dependent, low-upside fantasy flex, at best. In his fourth year in the NFL in 2024, Palmer had only 39 receptions on 65 targets for 584 yards and a career-low one touchdown. Check back for his final injury status on Thursday.

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The New York Jets requested an interview with Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their head-coaching spot, according to a source. Spagnuolo has also served as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator and interim head coach and is a candidate to return to New York after the team fired former head coach Robert Saleh way back in Week 5. In addition to the Jets, the Las Vegas Raiders requested to interview Spags after firing head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday. The 65-year-old has been working for the Chiefs since 2019 and has reached three Super Bowls (winning two) with KC. Spagnuolo also won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII and served as their interim head coach in 2017. He went 10-38 in three seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 2009-11.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that passing-game coordinator Klay Kubiak will officially be named the team's new offensive coordinator, although Shanahan will continue to call offensive plays. Kubiak called plays during the preseason and in the Week 18 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in the season finale. Kubiak will become just the second offensive coordinator with Shanahan as the head coach in San Francisco, with the first being current Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel back in 2021. Kubiak, the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, began his NFL coaching career with the 49ers in 2021 as a quality-control coach. After a disappointing and injury-riddled year in 2024 on the offensive side of the ball, both Kubiak and Shanahan will try to turn things around in 2025 and get San Fran back to the postseason.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (illness) is feeling better this week and returned to the practice field on Wednesday as the team begins preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the wild-card playoff game this Sunday. Doubs popped up on the team's Week 18 injury report on Saturday with an illness and was held out of Sunday's loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears with the Packers already locked into a playoff spot. Now that the 24-year-old has had time to rest up, he should be good to go for Sunday's contest in Philly, where Doubs will be a more attractive fantasy sleeper play with teammate Christian Watson (knee) done for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in Week 18. The third-year pass-catcher has scored only four TDs in 13 games this year, but his trips to the end zone came in bunches with a pair of two-touchdown performances.

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