Bills Place WR Josh Palmer On IR
Josh Palmer‘s debut Bills season is over. The free agent wideout has been moved to injured reserve, the team announced on Saturday. 
The rule for players missing a minimum of four games while on IR continues through the playoffs. As a result, any which are placed on injured reserve now are ineligible to return the rest of the way. An ankle injury will keep Palmer unavailable for the duration of Buffalo’s postseason.
Palmer played in 12 games – including Week 18 – this season. The 26-year-old Canadian was in position to handle a key role on offense with his new team upon arrival from the Chargers, but despite making eight starts he registered just 303 scoreless yards on 22 catches. Nevertheless, losing Palmer (who is under contract through 2027) will deal a blow to a Buffalo passing game which has struggled with inconsistency this year.
In a corresponding move, linebacker Baylon Spector has been signed from the practice squad to the active roster. Spector has made three appearances this season, with the most recent coming in December. The fourth-year Bill will be expected to contribute on special teams in addition to providing depth on defense.
In other roster news, the Bills have elected not to elevate kicker Matthew Wright from the practice squad. Wright was signed earlier this week as insurance with Matt Prater‘s status uncertain due to a quad injury. Based on the team’s actions today, though, Prater is in line to handle kicking duties on Sunday against the Jaguars.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/10/26
Here are Saturday’s moves around the NFL as the first day of wild-card weekend continues:
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DE Andre Jones Jr., RB Frank Gore Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return from injured reserve: LB Drew Sanders
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Neyor
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Tim Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: TE Tucker Fisk
- Placed on IR: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
- Elevated: WR Dalevon Campbell, CB Isas Waxter
New England Patriots
- Elevated: DT Leonard Taylor, WR Jeremiah Webb
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, DB Andre’ Sam
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Jalen Graham, WR Malik Turner
Sanders was limited to four games last season due to an Achilles tear. The 25-year-old then suffered a foot injury in training camp which kept him sidelined for the entire regular season in 2025. As Mike Klis of 9News notes, Sanders will not be available in the divisional round but a return deeper into the postseason will be at least a faint possibility with him now on the practice field.
Buccaneers Interview Israel Woolfork, David Shaw For OC Job
The Buccaneers completed virtual interviews with Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork and Lions passing game coordinator David Shaw for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per team writer Scott Smith. 
Tampa Bay moved on from OC Josh Grizzard at the end of the season after the team’s offense dropped from a top-five unit in 2024 to a bottom-half one this past season. The decision came as little surprise at the time, although it has since been followed by a number of other changes on Todd Bowles‘ staff. Finding Grizzard’s replacement in short order represents an obvious priority.
Woolfork began his coaching career in 2013 in the college ranks. His introduction to the NFL came in 2021 by means of the Bill Walsh NFL diversity coaching fellowship. After two years in Cleveland, Woolfork joined the Cardinals. He has served as the team’s QBs coach for the past three years.
Shaw’s resume is much more extensive. The 53-year-old has been in coaching since 1995 is best known for his run as Stanford’s head coach (2011-22). Shaw returned to the NFL in 2024 by joining the Broncos’ front office. That one-year Denver stint was followed by a return to the sidelines when Shaw took his current position in Detroit. The Lions endured a number of departures on their staff last year, and Shaw was among the most experienced replacements brought in.
Tampa Bay has already conducted an interview with former Titans head coach Brian Callahan. Prior to his ill-fated Tennessee gig, Callahan had a notable run as a non-playcalling OC in Cincinnati. The team has also been linked to ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Earlier today, it was learned Falcons OC Zac Robinson has interviewed with Tampa Bay despite the fact he is still under contract (at least for now). A reunion between the Bucs and Todd Monken for the offensive coordinator position is also something to watch for as the team seeks out its options on the coordinator market.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Fallout From Mike McDaniel’s Firing; Latest On John Harbaugh
JANUARY 10: As expected, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal tells us that Cleveland has an interview scheduled with McDaniel “for some point next week.” He adds that Harbaugh is also an interview they are trying to schedule, but they’ll need to make the cut.
JANUARY 8: The Dolphins brought an end to the Mike McDaniel era with Thursday’s firing. The move came as a surprise to McDaniel, who previously informed his staff that he’d continue as the Dolphins’ head coach, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says.
McDaniel was involved in Miami’s search for a general manager, an indication he’d stay, but it didn’t bode well for him when team brass began asking candidates about working with a different head coach.
Although owner Stephen Ross was a McDaniel advocate throughout the coach’s four-year tenure, the tide began turning on Tuesday. McDaniel presented a plan to Ross then, but the latter was “leaning toward making a change” when their meeting ended, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.
Despite valuing McDaniel’s “intelligence and offensive mind,” Ross didn’t want to continue with the “status quo,” according to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. That would have meant giving McDaniel another chance after two straight sub-.500 seasons in which the Dolphins combined for a 15-19 record.
McDaniel’s firing came not long after the Ravens moved on from John Harbaugh on Tuesday, though the Dolphins’ decision was unrelated, Jeff Darlington of ESPN reports. While Darlington adds that the Dolphins have not reached out to Harbaugh to gauge his interest in the position, that will change “very soon,” Jackson relays.
There’s a “longtime relationship” between Ross and the Harbaugh family, Jackson notes, and that may aid the team in a potential pursuit of the 63-year-old coach. Indeed, the Dolphins and Giants are among teams Harbaugh will seriously consider for his second head coaching job, per Jackson. Harbaugh is reportedly the Giants’ preferred candidate.
As for McDaniel’s future, his next stop may be in the AFC North, Harbaugh’s former division. The Browns are interested in McDaniel, as reports from Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com and Josina Anderson of The Exhibit indicate. The team has “long admired” McDaniels’ offensive mind, according to Cabot, and there’s familiarity between him and the organization. As McDaniel climbed up the coaching ranks, the Kyle Shanahan disciple spent 2014 in Cleveland as its wide receivers coach.
The Browns have not set up a meeting with McDaniel yet. However, it’s possible an interview will occur next week, according to Cabot. With a total of eight head coaching vacancies across the NFL, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see multiple teams consider McDaniel.
Bears Activate CB Kyler Gordon From IR
The Bears activated cornerback Kyler Gordon from injured reserve, per a team announcement, setting him up to play in Saturday night’s wild card matchup with the Packers.
Gordon, 26, only appeared in three games in the regular season due to a variety of injuries. He did not play until Week 6 due to a hamstring injury suffered in training camp. Calf and groin issues quickly forced him back on the sidelines, this time accompanied by a move to injured reserve. He returned to the field in late November and landed right back on IR after his first game back, again due to a groin injury. After missing the last four games of the regular season, Gordon was able to recover in time for the Bears’ first playoff game since 2020.
The injury-riddled season has been a disappointment for both player and club, especially considering the three-year, $40MM extension Gordon signed in April. The 2022 second-round pick emerged as a reliable, if not elite, nickel in his first three years in the NFL, earning him a deal at the top of that specific market. But injuries were an issue; Gordon missed nine games across those three seasons and has more than doubled his total this year.
Chicago has primarily relied on C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot with Nick McCloud also getting some snaps. Neither has performed particularly well – their Pro Football Focus grades (subscription required) both hover around 50.0 – so it will be interesting to see how the Bears handle Gordon’s return. Given his health struggles – especially two groin issues – they may want to ease him back into full-speed and -contact action to avoid another re-injury.
The Bears also announced a few other moves for Saturday’s game. Tight end Nikola Kalinic and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were both elevated from the practice squad to face the Packers, while offensive tackle Braxton Jones was downgraded to out and will not be activated from IR.
Falcons Conduct HC Interview With Seahawks DC Aden Durde
The Falcons have requested an interview with Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
League rules require that the interview take place by the end of the wild-card round, giving Atlanta until Monday to complete their first formal meeting with Durde. A team announcement has since confirmed the virtual interview took place on Saturday.
The Falcons are the second team to express interest in Durde. The Browns conducted their interview with the 46-year-old on Friday as they continue their process to replace Kevin Stefanski.
Finding a successor for Raheem Morris appears to be quite a different task. Cleveland seems to be headed towards another rebuild, especially on offense, while Atlanta has a bevy of young playmakers on both sides of the ball. While Michael Penix‘s future as a franchise quarterback remains unclear, the Falcons have several undeniable stars who clearly have the potential to grow into a serious playoff team. It is also possible that playing in the NFC South – where a division winner has not finished better than 10-7 since 2021 – could offer additional appeal.
Still, hiring Durde as a head coach after just two years in a coordinator role and no play-calling experience seems like a risk. The Falcons may be trying to feel him out for a defensive coordinator role under their eventual head coach hire, as they cannot interview any Seahawks or Broncos coaches after Monday, until their teams are eliminated.
Dolphins Request HC Interview With Rams DC Chris Shula
While Don Shula is arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history, he’s unquestionably the best coach the Dolphins have ever had. During a legendary run with the Dolphins from 1970-1995, Shula led them to an undefeated season and two Super Bowl wins, among many other accomplishments. With 347 career victories, including 19 in the postseason, Shula remains atop the all-time list.
Three decades after he retired, Shula’s grandson has emerged as a candidate to become the Dolphins’ next head coach. The team has requested an interview with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Shula will coach the Rams against the Panthers in a wild-card round meeting on Saturday. He’ll be eligible to discuss head coaching jobs next week.
The Miami-born Shula, 39, began his coaching career assisting with linebackers at Ball State in 2010. After working with Indiana and John Carroll for the next few years, he jumped to the NFL as the Chargers’ defensive quality control coach in 2015.
Shula left the Chargers after two years to join then-rookie head coach Sean McVay‘s Rams staff as an assistant LBs coach in 2017. He held a handful of other positions – OLBs coach, LBs coach, pass game coordinator, pass rush coordinator and defensive backs coach – before earning a promotion to D-coordinator in 2024.
The Rams ranked 17th in points and 26th in yardage in 2024, their defense’s first post-Aaron Donald campaign, but improved in those categories in 2025. They finished the regular season 10th in scoring and 17th in total defense. The unit placed a much more impressive fifth in takeaways and seventh in sacks. The Rams and Shula will hope that playmaking ability carries into the postseason.
As the Dolphins search for a replacement for the fired Mike McDaniel, they’re not prioritizing one side of the ball, a source told insider Jordan Schultz. The mix of offensive- and defensive-minded candidates who have come up in connection to the job so far is evidence of that:
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Rumored candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): To interview 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
Dolphins To Interview Klint Kubiak, Request Interview With Robert Saleh
Klint Kubiak is officially the most popular head coaching candidate in this year’s hiring cycle.
Six team have now requested an interview with the Seahawks offensive coordinator, the most of any candidate thus far. The latest is from the Dolphins, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, and Kubiak is set to interview with them today.
The Dolphins join the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders, and Titans in expressing interest in the 38-year-old. Other coaches from teams in the wild card round as well as John Harbaugh could catch up with their interviews for next week, but for right now, Kubiak is the hottest name on the market.
It is easy to see why. He came up under his father and longtime offensive guru Gary Kubiak in Denver and in Minnesota; the latter spot also included time with Mike Zimmer until 2021. After returning to Denver for one season, Klint Kubiak was hired by Kyle Shanahan to be the 49ers pass game coordinator in 2023. Like others in that position before him, he quickly earned an offensive coordinator gig. San Francisco finished with fourth-most passing yards in the league in Kubiak’s debut year, even more impressive considering they also had the fewest passing attempts.
The Saints then hired Kubiak as their offensive coordinator in 2024, but after an exciting start, the unit faded down the stretch. When New Orleans brought in Kellen Moore last offseason, Kubiak departed for Seattle to work under Mike Macdonald. He immediately molded the Seahawks’ offense into one of the best in the league. Among his success were quarterback Sam Darnold, who answered questions about his ability to match his 2024 performances; wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the league in receiving; and running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, who were one of the league’s best one-two combos.
The Dolphins have gone with offensive coaches for five of their six head coaching hires dating back to 2006, but they could also be looking for a stronger culture-setter as they head for at least a semi-rebuild. Another coach with connections to Shanahan – 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh – could fit that bill. The Dolphins requested an interview with Saleh, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, though that cannot take place until next week.
Saleh’s success as a defensive coordinator is undeniable. Four years in San Francisco got him hired in New York, but his tenure as the Jets head coach did not go according to plan. The team went 20-36, though it is hard to argue that Saleh was their biggest problem. Owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, and quarterback Zach Wilson were just as reponsible, if not more so, for the Jets’ struggles in that time. If the Dolphins share that perception, they may be more willing to give Saleh a second chance in the top job.
Buccaneers Interview Falcons OC Zac Robinson; Bucs Interested In Ravens’ Todd Monken
Two days since firing offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, the Buccaneers have discussed the position with multiple candidates. They held a virtual interview with Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Greg Auman of FOX Sports reports. Along with Robinson, the Buccaneers have already spoken with former Titans head coach Brian Callahan.
The Falcons don’t have a head coach, which puts Robinson’s future with the organization in question, but it’s notable that they allowed him to interview elsewhere. The team previously blocked the Cowboys from interviewing defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for the same role.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has made it known that his preference is for Ulbrich to keep his job under the club’s next head coach. Although Robinson could join the NFC South rival Buccaneers, it doesn’t seem Blank is as attached to him as he is to Ulbrich.
An NFL quarterback from 2010-13, Robinson began his coaching career with Sean McVay‘s Rams in 2019. He spent his first season with the team as an assistant quarterbacks coach. That proved to be Jared Goff‘s last year as the Rams’ signal-caller. The Rams traded him to the Lions in a deal for Matthew Stafford during the ensuing offseason.
Robinson shifted to assistant wide receivers coach in 2020 before moving back to his assistant QBs coach role in 2021, a Super Bowl-winning campaign for the Rams. He then earned a promotion to pass game coordinator/QBs coach, responsibilities he held from 2022-23.
When former Rams assistant Raheem Morris took over as the Falcons’ head coach in 2024, he brought Robinson with him to Atlanta as his O-coordinator. Morris is now out after combining for a 16-18 record in two seasons. The 39-year-old Robinson could follow him out the door soon.
The Falcons’ Robinson-coached offense finished 23rd in points and yards in 2024, but it improved to 19th and 15th, respectively, in those categories this season. Robinson assisted in a first-team All-Pro season for running back Bijan Robinson and a second-team All-Pro campaign for tight end Kyle Pitts, but a knee injury cost No. 1 wide receiver Drake London five games. That didn’t help matters, and nor did lackluster play at quarterback.
Although the Falcons made major investments in both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., neither has performed all that well in two years under Robinson. Since the firing of Morris, he and Robinson have drawn criticism for failing to make better use of Penix’s arm strength.
If Tampa Bay hires him, Robinson would inherit a better QB situation with Baker Mayfield, with whom he’d reunite. Robinson and Mayfield briefly worked together in LA when the latter was trying to revive his career in 2022. He’s now locked in as the Bucs’ starter.
Despite a disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth, the Buccaneers’ offense still features some strong pieces beyond Mayfield. However, wide receiver Mike Evans may retire or leave in free agency, and tight end Cade Otton is also without a contract for 2026.
Meanwhile, Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan will return at wideout. So will tight running back Bucky Irving. After a terrific rookie year in 2024, Irving took a sizable step backward this season. It didn’t help that standout O-linemen Cody Mauch, Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke missed significant time with injuries.
While Robinson may work with at least some of those players in 2026, the Buccaneers haven’t just eyed him and Callahan. They’ve also shown reported interest in former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Rams passing game specialist Nate Scheelhaase. Ravens O-coordinator Todd Monken‘s name has also come up in connection to the Buccaneers. The Bucs will indeed have “big interest” in Monken if he doesn’t end up with a head coaching job, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Monken interviewed for the Browns’ HC opening on Saturday.
Browns To Interview Todd Monken For HC; Ravens’ OC Interviewed For Michigan Job
JANUARY 10: The Browns will interview Monken today, per a team announcement.
JANUARY 6: Todd Monken does not appear to be assured he will be back with the Ravens for a fourth year as their OC, but he has received an interview request about a head coaching position.
The Browns want to speak with Monken about their HC vacancy, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Monken has been with the Ravens since 2023 but has a brief history with the Browns. Cleveland employed Monken as its OC during Freddie Kitchens‘ one-and-done season at the controls in 2019.
Although Andrew Berry is a two-stint Browns staffer, the current Cleveland GM was in Philadelphia during Monken’s time in northeast Ohio. The Browns have retained Berry despite the disastrous Deshaun Watson contract remaining on the payroll, firing HC Kevin Stefanski on Monday. More interview requests will be coming out of Cleveland, possibly today, as the Browns search for a new HC for the first time since 2020.
John Dorsey resided as the Browns’ GM during Monken’s brief Cleveland stay. The Browns oozed dysfunction under the overmatched Kitchens, with Monken serving as an experienced staffer to backstop the underqualified head coach. Like Kyle Shanahan in 2014, Monken was believed to be unhappy during his lone season as Browns OC. Monken, 59, became the Georgia HC after the Berry-Stefanski duo arrived in 2020. The Ravens hired him after three seasons in Athens, and the results have mostly been impressive.
Lamar Jackson won MVP honors in 2023 and took home first-team All-Pro acclaim following a statistically superior 2024 season. This season brought a step back, due largely to Jackson injury trouble resurfacing. Fourth in scoring offense in 2023 and third last season, Baltimore ranked 11th (to go with a 16th-place yardage finish) this season before being eliminated in Week 18. Because the Ravens were eliminated, Monken can meet with the Browns beginning Wednesday. Had Baltimore beaten Pittsburgh, Monken would need to wait until three days after a Ravens wild-card game to conduct interviews.
This request is interesting due to Monken’s past in Cleveland but also for his standing in Baltimore presently. Rumors about the Ravens considering coordinator changes have come up following the disappointing 8-9 season. Zach Orr has been under more fire than Monken, but it is certainly notable the Ravens would consider firing a coach who had Jackson on the first-team All-Pro tier as recently as 2024.
Monken met with the Chargers and Panthers in 2024 and interviewed for the Bears, Jaguars and Raiders’ positions last year. After not landing those jobs, the Ravens gave him an extension. Like Kliff Kingsbury entering the week, Monken is on the HC radar but not assured of retaining his own OC post. The Commanders have since moved on from Kingsbury; will the Ravens make Monken a coaching free agent soon as well?
In addition to Monken’s potential opportunities in the pros, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes he interviewed for the Michigan HC job last month. The Wolverines ended up hiring Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, but it is obviously notable Monken took the meeting. His Ravens status will be known soon. While Jackson isn’t going anywhere, big changes could be on tap in Baltimore.