Down to the final four! For football fans, this is the best weekend of the year, and prop bets and daily fantasy plays will be aplenty. Sam Darnold did not perform well last week due to the oblique injury, can we expect him to look better this week? Several Broncos are banged up, what do we expect from them?

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold

Injury: Oblique injury

Analysis: Darnold did not look great last week, only attempting a handful of deep passes, with his longest completion of the day going for just 21 yards. Darnold, at times, was able to put the necessary zip on the ball but only during shorter routes. This was an expected limitation as he was dealing with a left-sided oblique injury. The internal oblique rotates the torso to the same side, so a left-sided internal oblique injury will potentially impact a right handed quarterbacks follow through, and the external oblique rotates the torso to the opposite side, so it will propel the passer’s torso during the wind-up. Fortunately for Danold and the Seahawks, Seattle controlled the game from the start and did not need to lean on the passing attack.

Another week to rehab will have Darnold's oblique feeling better and producing more force, but it is still unlikely to be at 100%. I would expect Darnold to be able to make most of the throws, but I may see some limitations in extremely deep balls and high velocity throws into tight windows. Like last week, it will only take one throw or one hit to make things worse. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Bo Nix

Injury: Ankle Fracture

Analysis: Nix had his surgery this week and is expected to make a full recovery. We have not been told which bone was fractured, but most ankle fracture surgeries carry a 5-6 month rehab, sometimes longer. There's a good chance Nix is ready for training camp but may be limited initially. The critical thing to remember is that this is his right ankle, the one he pushes off for throwing power. Overall, Nix should make a full recovery and be a high-level quarterback again, but it's certainly possible the beginning of 2026 is slow.

Running Backs

JK Dobbins

Injury: Foot injury

Analysis: Dobbins has been out for almost three months with a severe mid-foot sprain. Initially thought to be season-ending, Dobbin's rehab has him in a place where it's possible he can go if Denver advances to the Super Bowl, but he won't be ready for the Conference Championship.

The mid-foot is a critical region of the foot, essential for both absorbing ground reaction forces, and also must literally change its shape to become a rigid foot to push off to create power when changing direction. Because of its multipurpose function and the importance of its ability to pronate and supinate, the integrity of the ligaments is critical. When too much ligamentous laxity is present, the foot is unable to supinate, which makes it rigid, and cannot powerfully push off to change direction.

A return this quickly from what has been deemed a severe injury would be impressive, and would likely be accompanied by a carbon fiber plate in his foot to essentially be an external means for creating the rigid foot to push off from. Strength is likely not at 100%, and if Dobbin's does suit up for the Super Bowl, it's unlikely he is as explosive as he was pre-injury.

TreVeyon Henderson

Injury: Shoulder injury

Analysis: Henderson is good-to-go after a mild shoulder injury. Running backs average a 19% decline in fantasy points after a shoulder injury, but full practices make it unlikely this negatively affects him in any way.

Zach Charbonnet

Injury: ACL Tear

Analysis: As discussed in the Divisional Round Injury Recap earlier this week, Charbonnet will undergo surgery to repair his ACL, and possibly more tissues. This will almost certainly knock Charbonnet out for the start of the 2026 season and make it very difficult to be a fantasy-relevant asset in 2026.

Wide Receivers

Troy Franklin

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Franklin has been limited all week after injuring his hamstring in the Divisional round. The 22-year-old is in the optimal age range for efficient healing, but still, a significant hamstring takes longer than one week to fully recover from. With the magnitude of this game, it's possible he tries to play but will not be at 100%. Hamstring injuries impact top-flight speed more than anything else, and receivers average a 15% dip in fantasy points when they return from a hamstring injury. If Franklin plays, it's hard to want him on your DFS rosters this week.

Pat Bryant

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Bryant miraculously has cleared the concussion protocol and will play. No performance dip is expected, but Bryant has suffered two concussions within a month, putting him at elevated risk for another.