We are on the precipice of the NFC and AFC Championship games which will determine the matchup for Super Bowl 50. The four teams remaining are all relatively healthy heading into the games so it should be a full slate for fantasy games. Players in this report are all likely to play, so unless an impact fantasy player has been already ruled out you can expect to see them on the field. So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.
Rob Gronkowski (TE-NE)
Gronkowski is listed as questionable along with several other Patriots on their injury report. However, that status should be ignored because he will absolutely play against Denver despite being listed as having back and knee ailments. Gronkowski has had his share of big injuries over the years, but he always manages to come back and produce at an elite level. He will play a big role in New England’s offensive attack against a solid Denver defense and is great fantasy option as always.
Carson Palmer (QB-ARZ)
There is no doubt that Palmer will play on Sunday in the NFC Championship against Carolina. He practiced fully all week so his status is not in question. The only question is his ability to perform at a high level after suffering the dislocated finger a few weeks ago. He played much better in the second half of Arizona’s win over Green Bay, but his ability to put it all together for a full four quarters will be a significant storyline heading into this game.
David Johnson (RB-ARZ)
The rookie running back was limited in practice earlier in the week as he continues dealing with a toe injury. However, he did practice in a full capacity on Friday so he will be good to go for Sunday’s showdown against the Panthers. Johnson has seen a downward trend in his statistics over the past few weeks, but he is still an explosive running back who will need to produce in order to alleviate some pressure off of Carson Palmer.
Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)
Stewart returned from a three-week absence to explode against Seattle in last week’s win in the NFC Divisional Round. He rolled his ankle in that victory so there was some concern about his status for the NFC Championship, especially coming off a foot injury. Stewart did practice during the week and he is listed as probable. He will be on the field against Arizona and will be leaned on heavily to establish Carolina’s running game against a tough Cardinals’ defense.
Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
Manning has been beat up all season with various injuries, including a foot injury which cost him several weeks earlier in the season. He will be on the field on Sunday for the AFC Championship against Tom Brady and the Patriots, but how much he contributes is unknown. Denver will likely employ a conservative offensive attack to protect Manning given how fragile and immobile he is. Do not expect him to light up the scoreboard as the Broncos will heavily rely on their running game.
Jared Allen (DL-CAR)
Allen has officially been ruled out for the NFC Championship game on Sunday. This news is not surprising given he fractured his foot last week. However, he claimed that he felt 100% ready to play and expressed some frustration when he was informed he would be ruled out. Allen is one of the toughest players in the league, but Carolina was not taking any chances even in a game of this magnitude.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).
Player News
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team does not “have any feelings on competition” when asked about the quarterback room.
O’Connell was asked about a potential quarterback competition on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday and was unclear on whether J.J. McCarthy would have to compete to start. He said, “we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” O’Connell discussed first putting Brett Rypien and the newly acquired Sam Howell in a position to play before any competition would occur. He continued that McCarthy is “owning it” this offseason and is taking snaps from starting center Ryan Kelly. After missing last season with a torn meniscus, McCarthy has been ramping up workouts in the offseason and is the front-runner to start for the Vikings in 2025. As of now, Howell looks to be reinforcement at the backup spot in case it turns out McCarthy is not ready to start.
Texans re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi.
Fatukasi initially joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old was a rotational defensive lineman, tallying four tackles for loss and one sack. He returns to Houston for 2025, where he will be a part of a deep Texans front seven.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “multiple people in the league who believe the new regime is not so high on Travis Etienne.”
Fowler also noted Tank Bigsby’s fumbling issue but didn’t directly relate that to the feelings of the new brain trust in Jacksonville. The Jags clearly felt they were lacking at running back this offseason and addressed that opening via the draft with Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh. The pair of additions complicate an already-messy backfield by committee. Etienne is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a long-shot to be brought back in 2026. The Jags could opt to move on early by trading him, clearing $6.1 million in cap space in the process. If the team does trade Etienne, Tuten would likely be the team’s top back in the long run, making him a high-upside bet in early fantasy drafts.
Broncos signed third-round pick WR Pat Bryant to a four-year contract.
The deal includes $1.4 million guaranteed and is worth $6.6 million in total. Sean Payton compared aspects of Bryant’s game to those of Michael Thomas in his post-draft press conference and there are at least a few similarities in their profiles. Bryant stands at 6'2/204 and ran a 4.61-second Forty at the combine. Thomas measured in at 6'3/212 and clocked a 4.57-second Forty. Though the two have similar physical characteristics, Thomas was known for his proficiency from the slot while Bryant primarily played on the outside as a field-stretcher at Illinois. Bryant’s transition to slot duties may take some time, but third-round draft capital makes him worth a shot in dynasty leagues.
Colts EDGE Samson Ebukam (Achilles) said he is expected to be cleared for training camp.
Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles in training camp last year and did not play in the 2024 season. He broke out in 2023 with a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Colts. He now has one year left on his deal and will be looking for a rebound season as he stares down free agency in 2026