Who Should I Start? Curtis Samuel or Sam LaPorta

Monday, January 12, 7:00 PM

The Buffalo Bills are opening the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow) this week, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Samuel has been on Injured Reserve due to an elbow injury since Nov. 28, but he'll be eligible to be activated to play this Saturday in Denver against the Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round game. It's good news for the Bills after Gabe Davis (knee) tore his ACL in the Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, although Samuel isn't guaranteed to play against the Broncos. Wideout Tyrell Shavers is also dealing with a knee injury and could be questionable this week. If the 29-year-old Samuel returns in the Divisional Round, he'll likely be eased back into action and won't be much of a fantasy football option. In his six games played in 2025, Samuel had seven catches for 81 yards and one touchdown.

Wednesday, January 7, 7:18 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) said earlier this week that he's entering the next stage of his rehab from back surgery, and he plans to be fully cleared before the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. LaPorta played in only nine games in 2025 before suffering a herniated disc in his back against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 9. In addition to his rehab, the 24-year-old will be focused on trying to ink a contract extension with the Lions this offseason. LaPorta burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He wasn't quite as good in 2024, but he still had a 60-726-7 line in 16 games. Obviously, LaPorta's production suffered in 2025 due to injury, but he'll be a prime bounce-back candidate at the TE position in 2026 for the Lions.