The Houston Texans D/ST is among the bottom rung of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs when they take on the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round on Saturday. Already without top safeties Jalen Pitre (shoulder) and Jimmie Ward (foot) for the season, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) is questionable to face a 15-win Chiefs offense that had the past two weeks to rest. The Texans were excellent in picking off L.A. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert four times last week, but a similar performance against three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes would qualify as an all-time upset. The Chiefs' offense certainly has left something to be desired at times this season, but managers setting DFS lineups shouldn't feel great betting against them, either.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have listed wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) as doubtful to play in the Divisional Round contest on Saturday at home against the visiting Houston Texans. Despite being designated to return from Injured Reserve back on Jan. 1, Hardman has yet to be officially activated and is unlikely to return this weekend for the team's first playoff game of the year. Even if the 26-year-old were activated from IR on Friday, he'd be in line for a very limited role on offense after having not played since Week 13. However, if the Chiefs advance past Houston this weekend and to the AFC Championship next weekend, perhaps Hardman will have made enough progress to return to the field. Before injuring his knee, Hardman was targeted only 14 times and caught 12 passes for 90 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games played.

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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in the Divisional Round on Saturday against the hosting Kansas City Chiefs. Al-Shaair did not practice on Tuesday but was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday, giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. The 27-year-old injured his knee in the wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last Saturday. Given the fact that he was able to practice two days this week, albeit limited, he appears to be on the right side of questionable for the Texans. In his first year with Houston, Al-Shaair recorded 70 tackles (45 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, seven QB hits, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 11 regular-season starts. The Texans defense/special teams rewarded fantasy managers with a big game last week and will be a sleeper option in KC again for the Divisional Round.

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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) practiced in full all week and was removed from the final injury report on Thursday. Jones will be active when the Chiefs take on the visiting Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the postseason on Saturday. A calf injury kept the 30-year-old veteran All-Pro from playing in the final two regular-season games, but after three weeks of rest -- the Chiefs had a bye in the wild-card round of the playoffs -- he's ready to return to action as the team seeks an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship. It's good news for KC's pass rush and bad news for the Texans offense and quarterback C.J. Stroud. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman only had five sacks in 15 games in 2024 after recording 26 over the previous two seasons, but he's still an integral part of a defense that will be a top fantasy play this weekend.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs due to ankle injury. Mixon popped up on this week's injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice and picked up a DNP on Friday, further putting his status in question for the weekend. It will still be a surprise if the 28-year-old is inactive on Saturday, but Mixon's questionable status definitely should make fantasy managers setting DFS lineups this weekend reconsider using him against a Chiefs defense that has been stingy against RBs all year. Not having Mixon in KC would be a huge blow to Houston's offense, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards during the regular season and went over 100 yards with a score in last week's wild-card win over the Chargers. If Mixon is out or limited, Dameon Pierce would likely lead the Texans' backfield.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (hip) did not practice all week and is questionable to play in the Divisional Round of the postseason when the team takes on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. While Woods still has a shot to suit up this weekend, the fact that he didn't practice at all puts the 32-year-old veteran on the wrong side of questionable. Not that fantasy managers were really considering him for their lineups anyway, but not having him would give quarterback C.J. Stroud one fewer option in the passing game as the Texans look to pull off a massive upset. Woods caught only two of four targets for 22 yards in last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers and had a mere 20-203-0 line in 15 games during the regular season. If he's ruled out on Saturday, Xavier Hutchinson would be the WR3 for Houston behind Nico Collins and John Metchie III.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown will look to remain productive in the divisional round when he faces the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Last weekend, Brown enjoyed one of the best performances of his career as he brought in all five of his targets for 89 yards and a score. Brown missed time late in the season due to a minor hamstring injury. He returned to action a week prior in Week 18 and saw four targets. However, seeing him immediately have a more significant role in the wild-card game suggests Brown should continue to have a substantial role in the offense this weekend. With Noah Brown (kidney) on the injured reserve, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus will continue operating as the team's No.2/No.3 wide receivers. In a favorable matchup against the Lions, who have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing wideouts makes, him a high-upside WR3 play in DFS.

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Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez (hip) is off the injury report and is good to go for Saturday's divisional round matchup against the Detroit Lions. Gonzalez opened the week as a limited participant but was upgraded to a full participant for the remainder of the week. Last weekend in Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old had the best game of his career as he went 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. Gonzalez made his first attempt from over 50 yards in this contest and hit the game-winner as time expired. Playing in a dome in a projected high-scoring affair makes Gonzalez a viable play in DFS competitions, as the Commanders should be in scoring positions all evening.

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Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will look to extend their playoff run in a showdown in Detroit on Saturday evening. In his playoff debut last weekend in Tampa Bay, Daniels looked poised as he went 24-for-35 with 268 yards and two passing scores. He added 36 yards on the ground. The LSU product finished the regular season on a high note, averaging an impressive 34.0 PPR points per game and tallying over 300 all-purpose yards per game during Weeks 12 through 17. During this stretch, he found the back of the end zone 17 times. This weekend, in a projected high-scoring affair (55.5 projected point total) against the Lions, who have allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs, makes Daniels an elite option in all DFS competitions.

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Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is a touchdown-dependent flex option in the divisional round when he faces the Detroit Lions. Robinson had a disappointing conclusion to the season, and those struggles lingered during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this game, Robinson tallied just 16 yards on ten carries. Over the final three weeks of the regular season, Robinson tallied just 31.3 rushing yards per game and did not score a touchdown. However, during his first ten games of the season, Robinson scored eight touchdowns and averaged a solid 64 yards per game. Facing another tough rushing defense in Detroit, who has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs, makes him a touchdown-dependent flex option that is best to avoid in DFS in competitions.

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Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler could have an increased role in a potential high-scoring affair against the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ekeler returned from his four-game absence due to a concussion in Week 18. In this game, he tallied 32 total yards. Last weekend in Tampa Bay, he tallied a solid 27 yards on eight carries and brought in 26 yards on three receptions. Given Brian Robinson Jr.'s recent struggles, Ekeler has a viable path to being the top option in the backfield this weekend. In addition, given the projected 55.5-point total, the Commanders will need to rely on their passing attack, which should bode well for Ekeler, given his elite pass-catching abilities. Ekeler is a great value play as an RB2 in DFS competitions despite the tough matchup on paper.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be viewed as a high-end WR1 during the divisional round when he faces the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Last weekend, McLaurin led the way in their upset victory in Tampa Bay, bringing in seven of his ten targets for 89 yards and a score. His targets were the most on the team. Over his previous seven games, McLaurin has scored in six of them (eight total TDs) and averaged a solid 66.3 yards and 19.3 PPR points per game. During this span, he has seen 8.4 targets per game and caught just under six of them in each contest. Given his role as Jayden Daniels' go-to option, he carries elite upside in a favorable matchup, as the Lions have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season. McLaurin should be targeted in all DFS competitions this weekend.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus had a disappointing showing last weekend but should be poised for a bounce back showing in Detroit on Saturday night. Last weekend, Zaccheaus caught all three of his targets for a mere 19 yards. However, during his previous three games (Weeks 16 through 18), Zacchaeus averaged an impressive 68.7 yards per game and scored three touchdowns. While Dyami Brown (hamstring) has returned from his injury and should continue to have a role in the starting lineup, fantasy managers should expect Zaccheaus to return to form in a potential high-scoring affair in Detroit. Zacchaeus is a viable WR3 play in DFS, as the Lions have allowed the second-most PPR points per game to opposing wideouts.

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According to the team, Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) is off the injury report and good to go for Saturday's playoff game against the Detroit Lions. Crowder carried a questionable tag with this same injury last tweet but avoided one heading into the divisional round. Last weekend against Tampa Bay, Crowder logged just offensive snaps and did not see a target. He also was held off the scoresheet during Week 18. However, during Weeks 15 through 17, Crowder caught 2.7 passes per game and, tallied 22.3 yards per contest and found the end zone twice. The 31-year-old should be viewed as a high-risk desperation flex play as he is the clear No.4 option in the wide receiver room and has not seen consistent work throughout the season.

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According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed that his future with the Jets is dependent on the new general manager and head coach, not on owner Woody Johnson. The former four-time MVP winner spoke on the Pat McAfee Show earlier on Thursday and expressed how he discussed his future with the team during exit meetings. Rodgers said, "I think everybody understands that it's going to come down to a GM and a coach and myself and whether we all want to do a dance together or if it's not in the cards." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation, as Rodgers still has another year remaining on his contract with the Jets. After firing Robert Salah during the 2024 season, Jeff Ulbrich took over as the interim head coach. Following the end of the season, the Jets have had contact with several potential coaches, such as Ron Rivera, Aaron Glenn, and Brian Flores. During their GM search, they have spoken to Darren Mougey of the Broncos, Lance Newmark of the Commanders, and Trey Brown of the Bengals, among others. If Rodgers returns to the Jets, he would likely carry QB2 value, given his unstable production this past season.

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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) is off the injury report and should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in DFS formats this weekend, facing the Detroit Lions. Ertz opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade each day, ending the week with a full session on Thursday. Last weekend, during their upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ertz took the backseat as he caught just two of his four targets for 23 yards. However, Ertz scored three touchdowns during Weeks 17 and 18 and caught 11 of his 12 targets. Overall, the 34-year-old has enjoyed a nice debut campaign in the DMV as he has found the back of the end zone seven times and averaged 38.5 yards during 17 regular season games. Given the projected high-scoring affair on Saturday evening, Ertz should enjoy a nice bounce back despite the Lions allowing the fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends.

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According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) is off the injury report and good to go for Saturday's playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The veteran back has been sidelined since suffering an MCL sprain during their Week 15 contest against the Buffalo Bills. While sidelined, sophomore running back Jahmyr Gibbs has taken complete control of the backfield. However, with Montgomery back in the mix, fantasy managers should expect both of them to share the backfield throughout the remainder of the postseason. During the first 13 games of the season, Montgomery averaged 13.8 carries per game with 59.3 rushing yards per game. During this stretch, he found the back of the end zone 12 times and saw 17 total carries within the five-yard line. While Gibbs carries the higher ceiling, given his elite speed, Montgomery is a high-floor RB2, given his role in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. Fantasy managers should feel confident viewing him as an RB2 in all DFS competitions this weekend against Washington.

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According to the team, Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis (concussion) remained limited during Thursday's practice. Davis will have another opportunity on Friday to log a full session before the final injury report. The Kentucky product suffered a concussion during Sunday's victory over the Denver Broncos. Before exiting, he ran the ball once for three yards. Through the first 16 contests of the season, Davis averaged 23.6 yards per game. During game No.17, Davis was given the start and tallied 64 yards on a season-high 15 attempts as the Bills had already locked up the No.2 seed. If Davis were to sit out on Sunday evening, fantasy managers should expect Ty Johnson to be deployed as the clear No.2 option behind James Cook against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (illness) is not practicing on Thursday because of an illness. The 30-year-old should be able to play in Sunday's NFL Divisional Round contest against the Los Angeles Rams, but his status is worth monitoring. Goedert caught four of his six targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Green Bay Packers and is a strong No. 3 option in the passing game behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. If he can play, he'll face a Rams defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. If he's surprisingly inactive, Grant Calcaterra would earn the start at TE.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) has resumed on-field work, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. The 2024 first-round pick out of Michigan suffered a preseason ACL tear that cost him his entire rookie campaign, forcing veteran Sam Darnold into the starting role. However, it was unclear how much McCarthy was slated to play in Year 1. Darnold threw 35 touchdowns and led Minnesota to 14 wins in 2024, but his late-season collapse in Week 18 and the NFC Wild Card Round could impact his standing with the organization. In all likelihood, McCarthy will start at some point in 2025, and he's an intriguing fantasy football option due to his elite supporting cast consisting of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.

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