AutoDraft Pro
Get the app

Player news from trusted outlets

NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Sunday, January 11

Jauan Jennings Throws Game-Winning Trick-Play TD, Poised for Increased Role

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jauan Jennings made a significant impact in the 49ers' 23-19 Wild Card win, completing a 29-yard trick-play touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey, which gave San Francisco the lead. This marks his second postseason passing TD, maintaining a perfect 158.3 playoff passer rating. Jennings also recorded one reception for 45 yards. Following George Kittle's Achilles injury, Jennings' usage is expected to increase significantly in the divisional round, where he expressed eagerness to face the Seahawks, stating, "That's who we wanted."

Tom Brady Names Demarcus Robinson LFG Player of the Game for Wild Card Heroics

AutoDraft Pro AI

Tom Brady recognized San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson as the LFG Player of the Game for his outstanding performance in the Wild Card Round. Robinson's significant contribution against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped a "resilient" 49ers squad upset the Eagles, earned him the prestigious award from Brady. This acknowledgment highlights Robinson's pivotal role in the 49ers' victory.

Robinson Breaks Slump with 111 Yards, TD; Named Brady's LFG Player of the Game

AutoDraft Pro AI

Demarcus Robinson, stepping into an elevated WR2 role, broke a season-long slump with 6 receptions on 7 targets for 111 yards and a 2-yard touchdown from Brock Purdy in the 49ers' 23-19 Wild Card win over the Eagles. This was his first game over 50 receiving yards in 14 regular season games. His performance earned him Tom Brady's LFG Player of the Game honors for helping the "resilient" 49ers upset the Eagles. Fantasy players are cautioned against expecting a repeat performance in the divisional round against the Seahawks.

Panthers OL Ikem Ekwonu Suffers Torn Patellar Tendon, Could Miss 2026 Season

AutoDraft Pro AI

Panthers starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during the team's 34-31 Wild Card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The injury, which occurred on the eighth offensive play, is season-ending and carries a projected recovery timeline of six to 12 months, potentially sidelining him for part or all of the 2026 season. Ekwonu, the 2022 first-round pick, allowed five sacks this season, and his injury forces the Panthers to re-evaluate their offensive line plans for the upcoming season.

Tonges Becomes 49ers' Lead TE After Kittle Injury, Catches 14 Yards in Playoff Win

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jake Tonges caught one of three targets for 14 yards in the 49ers' 23-19 Wild Card win over the Eagles. He entered the game after George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles injury in the second quarter and is now set to become the team's lead tight end for the remainder of the playoffs and potentially early next season. Tonges has previously proven to be a viable receiving threat when Kittle was inactive, averaging 4.8 receptions, 44.8 yards, and 0.5 touchdowns across six games this season. He leapfrogs Luke Farrell on the depth chart and is expected to be a value play in DFS formats against Seattle in the divisional round.

Purdy Overcomes Two Picks, Leads 49ers to Wild Card Win with Two TDs

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brock Purdy guided the 49ers to a 23-19 Wild Card victory over the Eagles, completing 18 of 31 passes for 262 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 24 yards. Purdy overcame two picks and a fumble, throwing the game-winning 6-yard touchdown to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter. He also connected with Demarcus Robinson for a score. The 49ers will face Seattle next, but will be without TE George Kittle (Achilles).

George Kittle Suffers Torn Achilles, Season Ends; 2026 Availability in Doubt

AutoDraft Pro AI

49ers TE George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles late in the first half of Sunday's Wild Card game against the Eagles, confirmed by HC Kyle Shanahan. The season-ending injury, sustained while planting his foot, requires a 6-12 month recovery, threatening his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. Kittle, 32, was already managing an ankle issue and had missed six regular-season games with a torn hamstring this season. Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell are expected to fill in at tight end for San Francisco.

Goedert Scores Two Touchdowns in Playoff Loss, Enters Free Agency

AutoDraft Pro AI

Dallas Goedert scored both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers, catching four of seven targets for 33 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for a one-yard score. His nine-yard receiving touchdown from Jalen Hurts gave the Eagles a lead. Goedert, 31, is coming off a regular season where he led the team with a career-high 11 touchdown catches (60 receptions, 591 yards) and is expected to be a sought-after free agent.

Josh Allen Powers Bills to Divisional Round with 3 TDs Despite Injuries

AutoDraft Pro AI

Josh Allen led the Bills to a 27-24 Wild Card win over the Jaguars, their first road playoff victory in decades. He completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown, adding 33 rushing yards and two TDs on 11 carries, including the game-winner. Allen played through multiple injury checks for concussion, hand, and knee, and was seen limping post-game, but is expected to play in the divisional round. He's considered the biggest X factor of the playoffs.

DeVonta Smith Leads Eagles Receivers in Playoff Exit

AutoDraft Pro AI

DeVonta Smith was the leading receiver for the Eagles in their 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers, catching eight of 11 targets for 70 yards. He accounted for 70 of Jalen Hurts' 168 passing yards, with no teammate exceeding 33 receiving yards. This playoff disappointment follows his third 1,000-yard regular season (77 receptions, 1,008 yards, 4 TDs). Smith is under contract with the Eagles through the 2028 season.

Barkley Tops 100 Yards in Playoff Loss; Remains Eagles Workhorse

AutoDraft Pro AI

Saquon Barkley rushed 26 times for 106 yards and caught three passes for 25 yards in the Eagles' 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers. He topped 100 rushing yards, a mark he only hit three times in the regular season, including a 29-yard run early on. Despite the loss, his first as an Eagle after winning Super Bowl LIX, Barkley is expected to maintain a workhorse role in his age-29 season. He was also a top prop bet pick.

Hurts Struggles in Playoff Loss, Eagles Eliminated by 49ers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jalen Hurts completed 20 of 35 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, adding 14 rushing yards, in the Eagles' 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers. He connected with Dallas Goedert for a nine-yard score, but Philadelphia's final drive ended on downs. Hurts' offensive inconsistencies continued, leading to the team's elimination. He finished the regular season with 3,224 passing yards, 25 TDs, 6 INTs, and 421 rushing yards with 8 TDs. Hurts remains the Eagles' starting QB under a $255M contract.

Caleb Williams Discusses Game-Winning TD, Bears Advance to Divisional Round

AutoDraft Pro AI

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams discussed the game-winning fake screen touchdown pass to DJ Moore against the Packers, revealing it was a play they had practiced for three to four weeks. Williams credited the offensive line's blocking and Moore's "great catch" for securing the dramatic 31-27 wild-card victory over Green Bay. The Bears will now host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte Active for Wild Card Game Despite Hamstring

AutoDraft Pro AI

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte was active for the Wild Card game against the Chargers, despite being added to the injury report Thursday with a hamstring issue. After a limited practice on Friday, Boutte was cleared to play and was expected to maintain his usual downfield role in the game, though the hamstring injury adds some risk to his performance.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton Active for Wild Card Game Despite Ankle Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton was active for the Wild Card game against the Patriots, despite tweaking his right ankle in Week 17. The 2025 first-rounder, who was a limited participant in practice Friday and wore an ankle brace, was expected to operate at less than 100% effectiveness and split workload with Kimani Vidal. In nine regular-season games, Hampton tallied 545 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 32 receptions for 192 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Eric Smith Reports Hampton Active for Chargers Playoff Game

AutoDraft Pro AI

Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reported that Los Angeles Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) is listed as active for Sunday night's playoff opener against the New England Patriots. Smith's report confirms Hampton's status after he was initially listed as questionable, providing key injury updates for the team's backfield ahead of the Wild Card matchup.

Etienne Scores Touchdown in Jaguars' Wild Card Loss to Bills

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne carried the ball 10 times for 67 yards and caught all five of his targets for 49 yards and a touchdown in the team's 27-24 Wild Card loss to the Bills. He capped his first playoff appearance since 2022 with a 14-yard TD catch from Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter. Etienne finished the regular season with 1,399 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 TDs (seven rushing, six receiving) over 17 games.

Lawrence Throws Late Interception, Jaguars Fall 27-24 in Wild Card

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding 31 rushing yards on six carries in Sunday's 27-24 Wild Card loss to the Bills. His game ended with a crucial late interception, deflected off Jakobi Meyers' hands to Tre'Davious White, sealing Jacksonville's season-ending defeat. Lawrence had rebounded earlier, connecting with Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Travis Etienne for TDs, but his two interceptions proved costly.

Shakir Hauls In Career-High 12 Catches in Bills' Wild Card Win

AutoDraft Pro AI

Bills WR Khalil Shakir had a standout performance in Sunday's 27-24 Wild Card win over the Jaguars, catching all 12 of his targets for 82 yards. His dozen receptions marked a new single-game career high, encompassing both regular season and postseason play, and his 82 receiving yards were his best showing since Week 12. Shakir was Josh Allen's top target, receiving high volume to begin Buffalo's playoff run.

James Cook Stymied in Wild Card Win Despite Expanded Role

AutoDraft Pro AI

James Cook was stymied in the Bills' 27-24 Wild Card win over the Jaguars, carrying 15 times for 46 yards and catching two of three targets for five yards. This performance came despite an anticipated expanded role due to Ty Johnson (ankle) being inactive, with Cook expected to absorb most of Johnson's typical passing-down work (averaging 1.9 targets, 1.4 catches per game). He had trouble finding room against an elite Jaguars run defense.