Nico Collins, Ty Johnson Top Key Inactive Players for NFL Divisional Round Weekend

These key skill-position players are listed OUT in the Divisional Round.

Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) participates in early pregame warmups against the Las Vegas Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Divisional Round is upon us and, unfortunately, not everyone comes into the week with full-health. Certain teams will be without their key playmaker(s) and that can drastically impact the outcome of the game. In different terms, it can also impact the output in Fantasy Football and DFS. My measuring these injuries, we can find sleepers, and also avoid bad decisions. This is our last-minute inactive sheet.

Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers, Bills

The Bills are without two of their depth pieces at Wide Receiver. Both Davis and Shavers had not held a huge role, but a meaningful one, nonetheless. The Bills thrive on spreading the ball around, and this should now benefit the outputs of Keon Coleman and definitely of Brandin Cooks, whom may be a great sleeper pick this week.

Ty Johnson, Bills

Bills inactives for today’s game include RB Ty Johnson.

WR Curtis Samuel officially is active. pic.twitter.com/u5isyxB3uT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2026

Though he tried to get active, Johnson will be out for this game. The Bills had used his as a 3rd down back, behind James Cook. Ray Davis is the now-RB2, however he saw no work at all in the Wild Card Round. I would project that the Bills remain heavy on work through Josh Allen and Cook, with Davis <5 attempts, and potentially none at all.

JK Dobbins, Broncos

This is nothing new here. Dobbins has been out for quite some time now. However, it is important to make sure we confirm the rosters, and this one has Dobbins out. RJ Harvey is the bulk-RB1, and he will carry the ball nearly 2/3rds of the time in this Denver offense.

Ricky Pearsall, 49ers* (Questionable)

Pearsall is yet to have a game designation. However, it seems like he is not in a good way. If the 49ers do list Pearsall as active, he will lack any valuable DFS output. You should be using Jauan Jennings and Jake Tonges, above all. Demarcus Robinson is also a lucrative sleeper as we saw last week.

George Kittle, 49ers

As you probably know, Kittle tore his ACL last week. This elevates Tonges to the TE1 job, and a lucrative job in-that.

Sam Darnold, Seahawks* (Questionable)

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold hasn’t thrown a football since he hurt his oblique Thursday. The Seahawks believe, but don’t know, that he will be OK to start tonight’s game vs. the 49ers. Backup QB Drew Lock took the reps the past two days and is ready if needed. pic.twitter.com/ICznfipJJC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2026

Darnold is being handled very cautiously in the lead-up to this game. He has an oblique injury that seemingly has him very immobilized. To what extent, we do not quite know. However, if Darnold plays, he will not be 100%. If Drew Lock starts, we would definitely not use him either, as it is a huge downgrade.

Nico Collins, Texans

Collins endured his 2nd concussion of the season. We knew this all week long, but Collins is confirmed out. Jayden Higgins and Christian Kirk will be the top-2 options. We also like Xavier Hutchinson as a deep-sleeper, but no so much Jaylin Noel.

The Patriots, Rams, and Bears are all healthy in their Fantasy Football/Skill-Positions.