San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that the plan is to bring wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. back for the 2025 season. After signing receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to a hefty extension before the start of the 2024 season, it was assumed that the Niners would likely move on from Samuel heading into 2025 given his significant salary-cap hit. In addition to the decision regarding the future of Samuel, who missed the Week 18 regular-season finale due to rib and wrist injuries, the 49ers will also be navigating a long-term extension for quarterback Brock Purdy. If the Niners change their mind on the 28-year-old Samuel, he could be a trade candidate with one year left on his deal. In 15 games in 2024, he had 51 catches for 670 yards and only three touchdowns despite Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) missing significant time with injuries.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers quarterbacks Jordan Love (elbow) and Malik Willis (undisclosed) were both limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. Love injured his right elbow in the Week 18 loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears and never returned to the game as a precaution. The 26-year-old lost feeling in his hand, but he was seen warming up on the sidelines late in the game and is expected to be fine for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Love has the feeling back in his hand but has lingering soreness in his elbow, which is something to keep an eye on heading into the weekend. In addition to his injury, he lost his best deep threat in receiver Christian Watson (knee) for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL. That combined with Love's injury will make him a low-end QB for fantasy lineups during wild-card weekend.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers, who are searching for their third defensive coordinator in three years, are interested in bringing former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh back to run their defense, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson. Saleh served as San Francisco's defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. The organization enjoyed top-five total defenses during his last two seasons, which propelled him into the New York head coaching role. However, Saleh is also interviewing for the Jacksonville Jaguars head-coaching position, which is a more lucrative role if he wants to step back into a lead role right away. Saleh posted a 20-36 record as the head man in New York, but the Jets flashed elite defenses at times throughout his tenure.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Byron Young (hamstring) has been cleared to practice and is being designated to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. Young was a third-round selection by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and logged just four tackles in six games as a rookie last season. He was released in August and picked up by Philadelphia but has not appeared in a game this season. The 24-year-old could provide depth for the strong Eagles' defensive line in the postseason, but it would be a surprise if he's a meaningful contributor even if he is active moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) was back on the practice field on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session due to a shoulder injury. The 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama could play a meaningful role in the postseason after season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). In Houston's final three regular-season contests, he totaled 16 targets, nine receptions, and 89 yards. Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins is the clear No. 1 option in C.J. Stroud's passing attack, but assuming Metchie is ready to go against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, he's a candidate to see several opportunities through the air.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a knee injury, according to team reporter Jameson Hensley. It was reported earlier on Wednesday that Flowers is unlikely to play in Saturday's AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, so this comes as no surprise. The second-year pro out of Boston College suffered a knee sprain in the Week 18 win over the Cleveland Browns. Needless to say, the timing of the injury is unfortunate, but Baltimore will still be significant favorites to defeat Pittsburgh, a team coming off four consecutive losses. Assuming Flowers does not play, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Isaiah Likely, and Justice Hill (concussion) are candidates to see extra looks in the passing attack led by Lamar Jackson.

From RotoBaller

The Philadelphia Eagles signed safety Lewis Cine from the Buffalo Bills practice squad on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Cine is a former first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 out of Georgia. The 25-year-old has played in just 11 games over the last three seasons, including one game this year with Buffalo. Overall, he has tallied just one tackle. Cine joins former Bulldog teammates Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean, and Kelee Ringo on Philadelphia's stop unit. It would be a surprise if he plays meaningful snaps in the secondary, but he could contribute on special teams in the postseason.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Amari Cooper (personal) will practice in some capacity during the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday as they get set to prepare to take on the visiting Denver Broncos in the wild-card round of the playoffs this Sunday. Cooper did not travel with the Bills to New England in their loss against the division-rival Patriots in the Week 18 regular-season finale due to personal reasons, but the 30-year-old veteran is now back with the team and figures to be active this weekend. However, for fantasy purposes, Cooper will be avoided by most, especially going up against a top-five defense in the Broncos. In eight games with Buffalo in 2024 after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns, the five-time Pro Bowler caught only 20 passes for 297 yards and two TDs. Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman are both better upside plays.

From RotoBaller

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, multiple NFL teams have inquired about whether former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would reconsider his move to coach college football at the University of North Carolina, including the Las Vegas Raiders, whose minority owner Tom Brady recently spoke with the legendary coach. Belichick agreed on a five-year deal on Dec. 11 to head to the college ranks to coach the Tar Heels. The Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after just one season as the full-time head coach. The connection would be obvious in Vegas, as Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowls together with the Patriots, and sources are saying Brady thinks the situation in the desert requires a coach with Belichick's expertise. Belichick's contract at UNC includes a $10 million buyout if he leaves before June 1, although it's unclear if it would apply in this situation.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper (personal) has rejoined the team, head coach Sean McDermott said on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Fantasy Spin: Cooper sat out Week 18 while attending to a personal matter, but his return suggests he'll play this week. Even with that, Cooper is a shaky DFS play, at best, thanks to his inconsistent production since joining Buffalo.

From TheHuddle

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is expected to be at the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to sources. It's a notable step forward as Hurts works his way out of the league's concussion protocol and prepares to start on Sunday in the wild-card round of the postseason versus the visiting Green Bay Packers. Hurts suffered a concussion in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and did not play in the final two games of the regular season. He's also dealing with a fracture to a finger on his left (non-throwing) hand, but his concussion is the much bigger issue. The 26-year-old was a top-10 fantasy QB in 2024 and led the league with 14 rushing touchdowns, but that's where the root of his value lies. The Eagles passing attack left a lot to be desired all year. Given the potential rust factor heading into the playoffs, Hurts carries a lot more DFS risk this weekend.

From RotoBaller

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee), who missed Tuesday's practice, is a long shot to play on Saturday evening against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Flowers is pretty sore while dealing with a sprained right knee that he suffered in the win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns in the Week 18 regular-season finale last Saturday. The good news is that Flowers could have a chance to play in the Divisional Round next week, but the Ravens would need to take care of business and beat the Steelers this weekend to advance. This is big news for the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Baltimore will look for receivers Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace to step up, while tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will both become more attractive in DFS playoff lineups.

From RotoBaller

The Chicago Bears are reportedly planning to interview Pete Carroll for their open head-coaching position. There were rumors that is was going to happen, but it now appears to be official. The 73-year-old spent over a decade with the Seattle Seahawks and won a Super Bowl during his time with the organization. He was later let go as the head coach, but Carroll took over as an advisor in 2024. A year later, Carroll appears to be interested in being a head coach once again. The expectation is that the Bears are going to interview a handful of candidates, but Carroll is probably the most experienced of them all. The Bears head coaching gig is possibly the most prized out of all the current openings given the amount of potential this team has with youngster Caleb Williams under center.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins to a reserve/future deal. The former sixth-round pick spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants. He hauled in both his targets for 12 targets in his two appearances with the organization this season. Hodgins barely saw the field this season, but he did show flashes of potential during his 2023 campaign with the Giants. It's a low-risk move for the 49ers who might've found a decent depth option in the 26-year-old wideout. He'll get a chance to win a spot on the roster during training camp.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. Wilson was designated to return from the injured reserve at the end of December. He was a full participant in practice all last week, but Wilson remained sidelined for the regular season finale. However, it seems possible that Wilson could return to the field for Saturday's Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Wilson has been out since October, so the Steelers haven't been able to see what the rookie wideout can do. If active, Wilson would likely play a minimal role during Saturday's playoff game.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) was a limited participant during Tuesday's practice session. The Chargers are hopeful to get Perryman healthy in time for Saturday's playoff matchup against the Houston Texans. Perryman missed a ton of time down the stretch of the season and only played in 11 games during the regular season. Despite that, Perryman still finished with 55 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack with the Chargers this season. Troy Dye has been seeing an increase in playing time lately with Perryman sidelined. Dye has been a viable option, including a 14-tackle game earlier in the season, but having Perryman available would be a nice boost for this defense.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (illness) was absent during Tuesday's practice session. Heyward played his normal role during the regular season finale last weekend, so he must've picked up the illness afterwards. The Steelers don't play until Saturday for their Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. That being said, Heyward has plenty of time to recover before Saturday's contest. His absence would be a significant loss for this defense considering he well Heyward has performed this season. Heyward finished the regular season with 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across 17 games.

From RotoBaller