It is Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you’re staring at your fantasy lineup or a betting slip, you're likely sweating the Friday practice reports. We are officially in the thick of the Divisional Round lead-up. The Wild Card chaos is behind us, but the damage remains. Honestly, the "official" espn nfl inactives today won't technically drop until 90 minutes before kickoff tomorrow, but the tea leaves are already being read in the locker rooms.
Injuries don't just sideline players. They reshape entire playbooks.
Take the San Francisco 49ers. They just survived a slugfest in Philadelphia, but it cost them George Kittle. He’s out. Not just for this week—he’s on IR with a torn Achilles. That isn't just a "missing player" situation; it’s a hole in their run blocking and a massive security blanket gone for Brock Purdy. When you check the reports today, you aren't just looking for names. You’re looking for a team's soul.
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The Big Names Teetering on the Brink
The most stressful part of this Friday is the "Questionable" tag. It’s the NFL’s version of a shrug emoji. In Seattle, the Seahawks are hosting those Niners, and the big story is Sam Darnold. He’s dealing with an oblique injury. He says he’s playing. The medical staff says... well, they say "questionable." If he’s a last-minute scratch on the inactive list tomorrow, Seattle’s "Legion of Boom 2.0" becomes a lot less scary because their offense won't be able to stay on the field.
Then there is the Buffalo Bills. They are headed to the thin air of Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos. The Bills are basically a walking triage unit right now.
- Josh Palmer (WR): Out (Ankle)
- Gabe Davis (WR): Out (ACL)
- Tyrell Shavers (WR): Out (ACL)
Basically, Josh Allen is looking at a wide receiver room that's thinner than the oxygen at Mile High. Keep a close eye on Dalton Kincaid. He’s been limited with a knee issue. If he lands on that inactive list tomorrow, Allen might have to just run the ball 25 times himself.
Why Inactive Lists Are Usually 90 Minutes Out
The NFL rule is strict. 48 players dress. The rest sit. Teams hide their intentions like they're guarding state secrets. A coach like Mike McDaniel or Kyle Shanahan will wait until the absolute last second to submit that list. Why? Because forcing an opponent to prepare for a star player who might not even play is a tactical advantage. It’s annoying for us, but it’s brilliant for them.
Texans vs. Patriots: The Concussion Protocol Nightmare
Sunday’s matchup in Foxborough is already seeing some major movement on the injury front. The Houston Texans took down the Steelers, but it was a Pyrrhic victory. Nico Collins is the name everyone is searching for. He’s in concussion protocol. As of today, he hasn't been practicing.
If Collins is inactive, C.J. Stroud loses his primary target against a Patriots defense that just absolutely humiliated Justin Herbert. The Patriots are healthy, mostly. Christian Gonzalez is the one to watch. He’s questionable with a concussion of his own, though the whispers out of New England suggest he’s on the optimistic side of that 50/50 coin flip.
"It's the playoffs. Everyone is hurt. You just find out who can actually move on Sunday." — Anonymous NFL Scout.
The Forgotten Inactives: Healthy Scratches
Everyone focuses on the guys with "Ankle" or "Hamstring" next to their names. But the espn nfl inactives today discussions often ignore the "Healthy Scratches." These are the guys who are 100% fit but just don't fit the game plan.
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Maybe a team needs an extra defensive tackle to stop the run, so they sit a fifth wide receiver. Or maybe a rookie isn't trusted on special teams yet. In the Wild Card round, we saw Jakorian Bennett get scratched for the first time in his Eagles career. It happens. It’s cold, it’s business, and it’s why these lists matter so much for the deep-bench grinders.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Weekend
If you are trying to stay ahead of the curve, don't just refresh the ESPN app at 1:00 PM on Sunday. You’ve got to be more proactive than that.
- Monitor the "LP" to "DNP" pipeline. If a player was Limited on Wednesday but Did Not Participate on Friday, they are almost certainly going to be on that inactive list. It’s a massive red flag.
- Check the "3rd QB" rule. Most teams will list their emergency quarterback as inactive but available under the specific league rule. Don't panic if you see a backup QB on the list; check the designation first.
- Watch the Weather. In Denver and Chicago, the cold is real this weekend. Soft tissue injuries (hamstrings, calves) are much harder to play through in sub-freezing temps. A "Questionable" player in a dome is a "Probable." A "Questionable" player in 20-degree weather is a "Likely Inactive."
- Follow the Beat Writers. National guys are great, but the beat writers standing on the sidelines at practice see who is limping. They see who is wearing a red "no-contact" jersey. They are the real source of truth before the official PDF is released.
The divisional round is where seasons go to die. One bad ankle or one missed concussion protocol can end a 14-win season. Keep your eyes on those final practice reports tonight; they’re the only real map we have until the stadium lights go up.
Next Steps to Stay Prepared:
Check the official team social media accounts exactly 90 minutes before the Saturday kickoffs (4:30 PM ET for Bills-Broncos). This is when the paper becomes reality. If you're playing DFS, have a "Pivot" player ready for every "Questionable" star in your lineup, especially for those late-window games like 49ers-Seahawks.