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.

Friday, January 9

Trevon Diggs 'Very Comfortable' in Packers Defense, Ready for Bears

AutoDraft Pro AI

Green Bay Packers cornerback Trevon Diggs, acquired just 10 days ago via waivers from the Cowboys, expressed strong confidence in his role and readiness to contribute against the Bears on Saturday night. Diggs started against the Vikings, playing 33 defensive snaps and two on special teams. He stated he's 'very comfortable' and thankful to be playing in the playoffs, a chance he wouldn't have had with the Cowboys. Diggs feels Green Bay is a 'great fit' and is eager to help the team secure another game.

Chargers' Eric Smith reports on Omarion Hampton's practice return, plans to play.

AutoDraft Pro AI

Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reported that RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, sporting a brace. Hampton, who missed Wednesday and Thursday sessions, was a limited participant. Smith also reported Hampton's statement, "that's the plan," when asked about playing in Sunday night's postseason opener against the Patriots. Smith's reports provide key updates on the rookie's injury status and potential availability.

Bills QB Josh Allen Fully Cleared for AFC Wild Card Showdown

AutoDraft Pro AI

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen is a full participant in practice all week with his foot injury and has no game status, confirming he is set to play in the AFC Wild Card game against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen has not missed any playing time with the injury he suffered during the Week 16 victory over the Browns, and is preparing for a significant challenge to secure a road win.

Bills K Matt Prater (Quad) Questionable for Sunday's Wild Card Game

AutoDraft Pro AI

Buffalo Bills K Matt Prater (right quad) did not participate in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's Wild Card game against the Jaguars, despite returning to a full practice on Thursday. He sustained the quad injury in the regular-season finale, and the Bills have signed kicker Matthew Wright to their practice squad as a contingency in case Prater is unavailable.

Kincaid Cleared to Play Sunday's Wild Card Game Against Jaguars

AutoDraft Pro AI

Bills TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) has no injury designation for Sunday's wild-card game in Jacksonville, indicating he is clear to play. Kincaid, who has managed a knee injury since Week 14 and missed only one game (Week 17), participated in a limited walkthrough Wednesday before full practices Thursday and Friday. He is expected to handle his typical snap share alongside fellow TE Dawson Knox. In his last four games, Kincaid recorded 10 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets.

Christian McCaffrey a Top Anytime TD Scorer Pick for Wild Card

AutoDraft Pro AI

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has been identified by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as a top anytime touchdown scorer pick for the upcoming NFL Wild Card Weekend. This projection highlights McCaffrey as a player with high potential to find the end zone during the critical playoff matchups, underscoring his consistent scoring threat. The model's selection indicates strong confidence in his ability to deliver a scoring play.

Texans DE Will Anderson Poses Major Threat to Rodgers in Wild Card

AutoDraft Pro AI

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the third-year pro and former No. 3 overall pick, is highlighted as the most disruptive player on the Texans' formidable defense. With 20 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits this season, Anderson poses a significant threat to Aaron Rodgers in the upcoming Wild Card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fantasy Analyst Matt Harmon Reviews Sleeper QB Successes

AutoDraft Pro AI

Fantasy football analyst Matt Harmon, who had touted Drake Maye as a potential sleeper QB, recently recapped the impressive seasons of both Maye and Trevor Lawrence. Harmon discussed how these quarterbacks thrived in fantasy football, with Maye finishing as QB2 overall and Lawrence as QB4, highlighting their unexpected success for managers who waited to draft a quarterback.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence Hosts Bills After Strong Season Performance

AutoDraft Pro AI

Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is set to host Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in an AFC Wild Card game after an impressive season, finishing as QB4 overall in fantasy. He achieved career highs in rushing yards (359) and rushing touchdowns (9), alongside over 4,000 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Lawrence peaked late in the season, averaging over 33 fantasy points per game in Weeks 15-17, and is now focused on leading his team against Allen in this crucial playoff matchup.

Patriots QB Drake Maye Shines as MVP Favorite, Faces Herbert in Wild Card

AutoDraft Pro AI

Patriots QB Drake Maye, touted as a sleeper, finished the regular season as the QB2 overall in fantasy, throwing for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, plus 450 rushing yards and 4 scores. He led the NFL in completion percentage (72%), QBR (77.2), and passer rating (113.5), and is among the favorites to win NFL MVP. Maye is now slated to face Justin Herbert in a Sunday night Wild Card playoff matchup.

Bills LB Terrel Bernard Ruled Out for Wild Card Game vs. Jaguars

AutoDraft Pro AI

Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bernard was sidelined for both Wednesday and Thursday's practices due to the calf injury, confirming his absence for the crucial playoff game.

Bills S Damar Hamlin Ruled Out for Wild Card Game vs. Jaguars

AutoDraft Pro AI

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) has been ruled out for Sunday's Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hamlin is returning from injured reserve and would have needed to be activated to the 53-man roster to play, but his pectoral injury will keep him sidelined.

McConkey Projected for Increased Targets in Wild-Card Round

AutoDraft Pro AI

Ladd McConkey is projected to see a rebound in target volume during the wild-card round. This forecast is based on an analysis of his route usage, quarterback tendencies, and predicted target share, suggesting a potential increase in his involvement in the offensive scheme for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Aaron Rodgers Praises Steelers' Culture, Eyes Playoff Win

AutoDraft Pro AI

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers expressed appreciation for coach Mike Tomlin's leadership and the team's 'no leaks in the boat' culture, contrasting it with his previous experience with the Jets. Rodgers has minimized media appearances to focus on football as the Steelers prepare for their first home playoff game since 2020. A bold prediction suggests Pittsburgh will prioritize protecting Rodgers in the Wild Card round. Rodgers and Tomlin, former Super Bowl XLV opponents, now aim for a second Lombardi Trophy, with the Steelers seeking their first postseason win since 2017.

Dolphins' New GM to Address Tua Tagovailoa's Future and Coaching Search

AutoDraft Pro AI

With the Miami Dolphins planning to hire Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as their next general manager, Sullivan's immediate tasks will include hiring the team's next head coach and determining the future plans for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This decision will be a critical early move for the new GM.

Patrick Mahomes Absent from Playoffs for First Time Since 1998 with Brady, Manning

AutoDraft Pro AI

For the first time since the 1998 season, an NFL postseason will not feature any of the prominent quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Patrick Mahomes. This marks a notable change in the playoff landscape, ending a long-standing streak where at least one of these generational talents was present in the postseason. Mahomes' absence is part of this historic shift.

NFL Playoffs Mark First Time Since 1998 Without Tom Brady, Manning, or Mahomes

AutoDraft Pro AI

For the first time in 28 years, dating back to 1998, an NFL postseason will proceed without the presence of legendary quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Patrick Mahomes. This significant shift marks a new era for the league's playoff landscape, highlighting the end of an unprecedented streak of dominance by these iconic figures.

Justin Herbert Prepares for Wild Card Playoff Clash Against Drake Maye

AutoDraft Pro AI

Justin Herbert is set to go head-to-head with Drake Maye in a Sunday night Wild Card playoff game. Previews for the NFL wild-card games emphasize this matchup, providing picks, predictions, and crucial stats for the opening round. The article offers an in-depth preview of the Los Angeles Chargers' showdown against the New England Patriots.

49ers CB Renardo Green Questionable for Playoff Game with Ankle Injury

AutoDraft Pro AI

San Francisco 49ers second-year cornerback Renardo Green was a surprise addition to the injury report on Friday. He was a limited participant in practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's NFC Wild Card matchup against the Eagles due to an ankle injury.

Caleb Williams Prepares to Lead Bears in Playoff Rivalry vs. Packers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams is set to lead his team in a renewed playoff rivalry against the Green Bay Packers. This marks the third time in 2025 and only the third time in NFL playoff history that the league's oldest and most played rivalry will be renewed, with Williams aiming for playoff glory.