Doug Baldwin

Balwin was just released by the Seahawks on Thursday with a failed physical designation, and it quickly became clear that he had no interest in playing elsewhere, especially considering the health issues he's faced of late. He underwent three procedures over the offseason for various injuries, so the decision by Seattle to cut him loose likely made Baldwin's decision an easy one. The 30-year-old wideout will finish his eight-year career with 494 catches for 6,563 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Baldwin has taken a beating over his storied eight-year career. This offseason, he underwent three surgeries for three separate injuries, which has him leaning toward retirement, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. His release was clearly a hard decision for the Seahawks to make, but one that opens a roster spot for Seattle and clears the way for second-round rookie D.K. Metcalf to grow into a starting role opposite Tyler Lockett.

A regular on Seahawks injury reports this season, Baldwin has gone two months without mention of a knee issue, but his elevation from no activity Tuesday to some Wednesday bodes well for an appearance in Saturday's wild-card contest at Dallas. In each of his nine games since a Week 7 bye -- sans being inactive Week 14 -- he's played at least 81 percent of the offensive snaps en route to a 38-485-5 line on 56 targets. Assuming he suits up this weekend, he'll be taking on a Cowboys defense that allowed 8.0 yards per target and 12 touchdowns to wide receivers during the regular season.

Baldwin had been a viable fantasy playoff contributor prior to Sunday, averaging 4.3 receptions and 75 yards per game with four total touchdowns between Weeks 13 and 16. Facing Arizona's top-five pass defense in the regular-season finale, however, he had his first sub-five reception and zero touchdown performance since Week 7. After the Giants just became the first team to post 30-plus points against the Cowboys this season, the floodgates may remain open for Baldwin to collect his fifth receiving touchdown in as many games.