The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reports that there is a lot of momentum building for Detroit Lions offensive coordinator to become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson is the top head-coaching candidate this cycle for his work elevating Detroit's offense the last couple of seasons. "I was told last night that [for] Ben Johnson, the Raiders make more sense because he doesn't want to go against the Lions and Dan Campbell being in the same conference," Dan Patrick said. "Whether that is true or not, I think also the allure of Tom Brady [was a factor], and Brady is making decisions with the Raiders. It feels like he is making the decisions with the Raiders." Another factor that could appeal to Johnson is that he could have a hand in picking the next general manager if he were to go to Vegas. Either way, the Raiders still need to find a solution at quarterback.

From RotoBaller

After a disastrous rookie season in 2023, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young got off to a terrible start in 2024 and was benched after just two games in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the second-year signal-caller made arguably the most important 180-degree turnaround in franchise history. Young was among Pro Football Focus' highest-graded QBs in the final 11 weeks of the season, and his turnaround was sparked by improved body language and fire and much better footwork. Young's footwork ended the year "light years ahead" of where it was at in 2023 and to begin this season, according to a team source. The former No. 1 overall pick had a 61.8 completion percentage, 2,104 yards, 15 TDs and six interceptions in his last 10 starts. He won't be a QB1 in fantasy in 2025, but his turnaround gives fantasy managers hope he could eventually get there.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Wednesday that rookie running back Ray Davis (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol. It means that Davis probably will not practice on Wednesday after suffering a concussion in Sunday's wild-card win over the Denver Broncos. The 25-year-old could be fighting an uphill battle to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday's Divisional Round showdown against the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Even if Davis returns to practice later this week, he'll need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to get the green light to suit up on Sunday evening. With Davis up in the air to play in the Divisional Round, Ty Johnson could be in line for a bigger role behind starter James Cook against Baltimore. Johnson had a season-high nine carries for 44 yards against Denver and caught his fourth TD of the year. Check back on Davis' practice status.

From RotoBaller

After returning to a full practice on Tuesday, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) said he's "ready to go" for the Divisional Round clash against the visiting Washington Commanders this Saturday. Montgomery sprained the MCL in his right knee in a Dec. 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and at the time, it was reported he would undergo season-ending surgery. However, Monty never had plans to go under the knife and was always targeting the Divisional Round for his return. The six-year veteran spent every day strengthening his knee, and he said it "feels better than it did before I got hurt." Still, given the long layoff, it's unclear how much he'll play this weekend. Montgomery was averaging around 28 snaps per game before the knee injury, gaining 775 yards with 12 touchdowns in 14 appearances. He's been Detroit's tone-setter on the ground, but he'll be much more of a risk in fantasy lineups this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will interview with the New York Jets on Wednesday for their head-coach vacancy, according to a source. After a successful season running a top-five defense in Denver during the 2024 campaign, Joseph is in demand for several head-coaching openings around the league and will also interview for the Las Vegas Raiders job on Thursday. The 52-year-old has previous head-coach experience and led Denver's defense to No. 3 in points allowed (18.3 points per game) and No. 1 in sacks (63) this year. The Broncos defensive unit was among the bottom third in the league just a season ago, which makes it more impressive what Joseph was able to accomplish in 2024. The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after just five games and are most likely to move on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys have interest in and are expected to interview former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh for their vacant head-coach position, according to a source. There has been plenty of speculation about who the Cowboys would consider for the job after parting ways with Mike McCarthy earlier this week, but Saleh would be their first known request for the head-coach position. In addition to the Cowboys, Saleh is in the mix to become a head coach again with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders. If he doesn't land a head-coaching job, he's also expected to be in play for several defensive-coordinator openings around the NFL. The 45-year-old was fired on Oct. 8 after starting 2-3 with the Jets, his fourth year at the helm. For the rest of the 2024 season, Saleh served as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent CB K'Waun Williams (Broncos) is expected to announce his retirement from the NFL in the next several weeks, according to a source on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

From TheHuddle

NFL Network's Jane Slater reports that former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is a candidate for Dallas' open head-coaching position. In addition to Witten, Slater mentions former defensive back and current University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as candidates for the head-coach job. Slater believes that if Dallas had retained Mike McCarthy on a short-term deal, Witten might have joined the staff as an heir apparent to take over for McCarthy. Former New England Patriots head coach and current University of North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is expected to be an option as well for Jones. Witten has been the head coach at Liberty Christian School in Texas for the last four years but has no other coaching experience, which makes him a long shot for the Cowboys' head-coach job.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) was able to get through a full practice session on Tuesday. The star pass rusher is trending in the right direction after missing the final two games of the regular season due to a calf injury. Despite that, Jones still finished with 37 tackles, five sacks, and one fumble forced in 15 games. The six-time All-Pro pass rusher was likely just out as a precaution and should be 100 percent ready for Saturday's playoff matchup against the Houston Texans. The return of Jones will certainly give this defensive unit a lift this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold (foot) was listed as a full participant during Tuesday's estimated practice session. That is good news after Arnold was forced to exit early during the regular season finale due to a foot injury. Arnold was carted off the field, which is normally never a good sign, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. That being said, Arnold is trending in the right direction ahead of this weekend's divisional-round matchup against the Washington Commanders. Arnold recorded 60 tackles and 10 passes defended in his 16 games with the Lions. He should be ready to go for this weekend, barring any setbacks.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back Evan Hull to a reserve/future deal on Tuesday. The former fifth-round pick has spent each of the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He has mostly been on the practice squad with only two actual appearances in those two seasons. The expectation is that Hull will compete for a spot on the active roster during camp. He didn't see much action with the Colts, so maybe a change of scenery will help him.

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Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder) opened the week as a limited participant during Tuesday's practice. This comes after Sinnott was forced to exit early during Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That being said, it's not shocking to see Sinnott only get through a limited session to begin the week. The 22-year-old finished his rookie season with five receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown in 17 games (two starts) with the Commanders. He's unlikely to have much of an impact on the field or for fantasy purposes with Zach Ertz healthy right now.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Tuesday. The Chiefs opened Hardman's 21-day practice window to return from IR during preparation for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos, but the 26-year-old pass-catcher ultimately was not activated for that contest. The Chiefs had a first-round bye for the wild-card round of the playoffs last weekend, giving Hardman another week to recover from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 13. Even if he returns to a full practice on Wednesday or Thursday and is activated from IR on Friday, it's highly unlikely that Hardman would have a major role in KC's offense after missing the last six weeks. Before getting hurt, he had 12 catches (14 targets) for 90 yards and no touchdowns in 12 games.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring, rest) was not at practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday as they begin preparing to take on the Lions in Detroit this Saturday in the Divisional Round of the postseason. The Commanders are likely just resting Crowder early in the week, so as long as he returns to practice on Wednesday or Thursday, he should be available this weekend as receiver depth for Washington. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore him in playoff leagues and in DFS, though, after catching nine of 13 targets for 72 yards and two touchdowns in just six games during the regular season. Crowder played through a questionable tag in the wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday night and was not targeted at all. Both of his scores this year came back on Dec. 22 in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib, rest) was held out of the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. With rest also listed next to Ertz's name on the first injury report of the Divisional Round, it's likely that his rib injury won't be serious enough to keep him sidelined this Saturday versus the Detroit Lions, but we'll keep a close eye on his practice status the next two days. As long as the 34-year-old veteran gets back onto the field the next two days, he should be available this weekend on the road in Motor City. Ertz became a much bigger part of the Commanders' offense in the second half of the season, but he was a disappointment in the three-point wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, catching just two passes for 23 yards. In a game in which the Commander will likely have to throw often this Saturday, Ertz is a prime bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was a full participant at practice Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Fantasy Spin: Mahomes should be good to go for the Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans. In Week 16 against Houston, Mahomes was the QB8 throwing for 260 yards and one touchdown while adding 33 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He's a strong start in DFS and playoff leagues.

From TheHuddle

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) participated fully during Tuesday's practice. Mahomes has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury over the past month and was given Week 18 off as the Chiefs have already locked up the top seed in the AFC. However, seeing him open the week as a full participant is a great sign and suggests he will be a full-go for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. After starting the season off slow, Mahomes has begun to round into form at the perfect time. Over his previous six games, Mahomes has tallied 12 total scores, averaging 254 passing yards per game and 23.3 rushing yards per game. Fantasy managers should view Mahomes as a solid QB1 in all DFS competitions facing the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Texans said tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited during Tuesday's practice with a shoulder injury. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the week if he faces a setback. During their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday afternoon, the veteran tight end caught two of his four targets for 23 yards. With Tank Dell (knee) sidelined, Schultz has seen an increase in targets. Over his previous three contests, Schultz has seen 4.3 targets per game, with a high of six during Week 17. Fantasy managers should expect Schultz to bounce back this weekend facing the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans OLB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), OG Shaq Mason (knee), OC Juice Scruggs (ankle) and WR Robert Woods (hip) did not practice Tuesday, Jan. 14. DE Denico Autry (knee) and TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) were limited participants at practice. DE Will Anderson Jr. (hand, elbow), OL Nick Broeker (hand) and TE Teagan Quitoriano (calf) were full participants at practice.

From TheHuddle

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rib) logged a full practice on Tuesday. Pacheco sustained a rib injury during their Week 17 victory over the Steelers and was held out of action in Week 18 as the Chiefs already locked up the top seed in the conference. However, seeing the 25-year-old open the week as a full participant suggests he will be a full-go for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans. Since returning from a fractured fibula in Week 13, Pacheco has averaged just 35.0 rushing yards per game and has been in a split committee with Kareem Hunt. During this stretch, he only logged double-digit attempts in two contests. Fantasy managers should view Pacheco as a low-end RB2 in DFS formats facing the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller