09 January 2026
Alexander has close ties to former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, which could give him an edge with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer deserves credit for his reporting late last week, when he identified Sullivan as a candidate for the job in Miami. Per Breer, the Dolphins are expected to “have three guys atop the football side—the head coach, the new GM and [senior vice president of football and business administration Brandon] Shore.” He believes the team ...09 January 2026
That was fast. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported on the Commanders’ request to interview Wells just a few hours ago. Wells ostensibly has a relationship with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn from their time together with the Cowboys in 2021-2023, and Wells is said to have been a “big part of game planning” since the Cowboys hired him in 2020.09 January 2026
Jones now has two defensive coordinator interview requests. Good for him. He is also considered a candidate to replace Vikings DC Brian Flores, if were Flores to leave the Vikings’ organization for another opportunity.09 January 2026
Banda has coached the Browns’ safety group since the team brought him aboard in 2023. The unit stands out in a league that now frequently utilizes two-high safety looks. The Browns’ defense allowed the league’s ninth-fewest yards per pass play (6.61) despite Banda’s unit logging an NFL-high 773 defensive snaps with just one safety lined up deep this season.
09 January 2026
Shortly before issuing this report, ESPN’s Todd Archer let it be known that the Falcons had denied the Cowboys’ request to interview DC Jeff Ulbirch. The Cowboys are smartly casting a very wide net to fill their vacant defensive coordinator role. Leonhard served as the Broncos’ DB coach and defensive passing game coordinator in 2024 before swapping out the DB coach role for an assistant head coach promotion in 2025.09 January 2026
Jones was initially hired by the Vikings to coach only the defensive backs in 2022. They added defensive pass game coordinator to his title in 2023. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert believes Jones “would be on a very short list to replace Brian Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, if Flores departs.”09 January 2026
Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, “a potential interview can be revisited later” if the Falcons hire a head coach “who has a different coordinator in mind.” One assumes that Falcons team owner Arthur Blank is pleased with Ulbrich’s performance last season. The defense cannot be described as an elite unit, but Ulbrich appears to be a respected figure in the organization.09 January 2026
Pearsall is now on the wrong side of questionable for the 49ers’ Wild Card Round game against the Eagles. The 49ers’ talented route runner aggravated his PCL sprain in Week 17 against the Bears and was unable to play on it last week. It is possible that the team is just taking it easy with him, but things are not looking good.09 January 2026
Kittle is on track to play, though it would be great to see him practice fully on Friday. The 49ers could be short-staffed when they face the Eagles this week. No. 1 WR Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) has not yet resumed practicing since aggravating the PCL sprain in his knee in Week 17.09 January 2026
Patriots OLB Anfernee Jennings (illness) and OT Morgan Moses (illness) resumed practicing in full. Patriots OT Vederian Lowe (illness) remained sidelined, and did DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). All ill players have a chance to play in the Patriots’ Wild Card Round game against the Chargers.09 January 2026
Mid-week additions to the injury report typically indicate that the player suffered a new injury in practice that day. We fear this is the case here. Boutte notably dealt with a hamstring strain earlier this season, costing him two games. He is not a big-time player in the Patriots’ offense, but he helps keep safeties honest in his field-stretching role.08 January 2026
08 January 2026
Johnson could be seen hopping on one foot during a ladder drill at today’s practice. We take this as a good sign for his availability this week, but nothing is certain. Johnson has rigorously rehabbed after suffering a Lisfranc injury in Week 11 against the Lions. Hopefully, he is good to go for his team’s game against the 49ers.08 January 2026
This is unfortunate. Chargers OC Greg Roman told reporters, before practice, that RB Hampton would be “involved some today” in practice. Instead, Hampton worked off to the side. Roman added that Hampton is “working through his process with the medical group” and is “ready mentally with the game plan.” That last bit makes it sound like Hampton is preparing as though he really does have a chance to play. Two absences to begin the week are worrying, though. No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal would l ...08 January 2026
Lambert-Smith is now on the wrong side of questionable, having missed the last two practices. The speedy rookie has not yet established himself as a reliable pass catcher, but he would be nice to have available on game day. The Chargers’ offense has been hit hard with injuries this season.08 January 2026
Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, “Wells has been [a] big part of game planning” since the Cowboys hired him away from the Giants in 2020. He coached the same position there from 2018-2019 after serving as the assistant offensive line coach from 2013-2017. Wells “was on staff with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn for three years, when Quinn served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2021-2023.08 January 2026
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean (hamstring), S Marcus Epps (concussion), OLB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) and OLB Jaelan Phillips (ankle) are all practicing fully. Carter’s continued participation is a good sign. Hopefully, he upgrades to full participation on Friday. The Eagles face the 49ers on Sunday.08 January 2026
Webb has just three years of coaching experience under his belt, having been hired as the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach in 2023. He managed to add the passing game coordinator title last offseason. Interviewing for the Ravens’ head-coaching vacancy this quickly is quite an accomplishment. Thus far, Webb has also been linked to the Raiders, who reportedly requested to interview him earlier this week.08 January 2026
Goedert, 31, is now up to two limited sessions in the lead-up to the Eagles’ Wild Card Round game against the 49ers. We expect Goedert to suit up. Although we would like to see him practicing fully, the team could just be limiting the veteran player’s reps.08 January 2026
Reese was a member of Ohio State’s national championship squad in 2024, typically lining up as a linebacker in the box. Reese then split snaps defensively in 2025, lining up frequently as both a linebacker and pass rusher on the edge, notching 31 tackles, nine TFLs, 20 quarterback pressures and seven sacks. He was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year for his final season efforts, while also earning Consensus All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors. ESPN’s Rich Cimini believes Reese ...
