Brandon Johnson’s Steelers stint ends with an injury settlement after a foot injury in the Panthers game, freeing him to sign elsewhere once healthy. The 27-year-old was Denver’s UDFA in 2022, surfaced with Pittsburgh in 2024, and logged three appearances with nine yards on one catch last year. His IR removal signals a late-market WR option for teams needing depth, contingent on a healthy return and a favorable landing spot.

Hendon Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad after being released by Detroit. At 27, his mobile, improvisational game still holds dynasty appeal, and a path to action could emerge if Young struggles or injuries thin Carolina's quarterback depth.

The rest of the update spans a college-heavy weekend: William & Mary opens with a three-game homestand, UVA unveils fall plans, and Conference Carolinas cross-country notes sit alongside a mosaic of scores from soccer and volleyball, giving fantasy-minded readers a broad snapshot of college athletics.

Sportsnaut maps the 2025-26 NFL playoff field with the Bills and Eagles as prime title contenders, while Kansas City, Baltimore, and Houston loom in the AFC and the Rams, Commanders, and Lions anchor the NFC. Division previews mix proven faces with budding rosters, highlighting a balance of veteran power and new coaching fire. The bracket envisions Buffalo versus Philadelphia in the final, with Buffalo lifting Lombardi LX after a hard-fought, high-variance ride.

Key takeaways: the AFC West stays open behind KC and LA; the Ravens push behind Lamar and Orr’s defense; the Texans reload around Stroud and Hunter; the NFC leans on Detroit’s continuity, Philadelphia’s offense, and LA Rams’ draft-day shrewdness. The Super Bowl LX pick: Bills 31, Eagles 27, a fitting clash of storied franchises and new-era rosters.

Fantasy implications center on ready-made stars and breakout pass-catchers who can elevate playoff rosters. Expect bigger roles for modern playmakers as rosters balance youth with proven production, turning sleepers into league-winners in the late going.

Adam Thielen is back with the Minnesota Vikings after two seasons in Carolina, where he piled up 151 catches, 1,629 yards and nine TDs while linking with Bryce Young. His return reunites a veteran target with a young offense and sets up a clearer path for Jefferson in the Vikings’ aerial attack.

Carolina’s WR room faces a reshuffle as Thielen departs, opening opportunities for younger pass-catchers and underscoring Bryce Young’s development arc. For fantasy managers, the dynamic between Young and his new/old weapons will drive early-season target shares and weekly floor, especially in PPR formats.

The move also colors the Panthers’ offense: a veteran exit forces a recalibration of route concepts and pass-game targets as Young matures, while the Vikings add a trusted veteran to stabilize a young group on the road back to relevancy.