FanDuel Ends Injury-Protection Program in NFL Playoffs; DraftKings, Fanatics Continue

A prominent sports betting operator has discontinued an injury-refund promotion for the NFL playoffs, while two competitors announced they'll continue theirs through the postseason.

Key Takeaways

• FanDuel is offering other promotions through the NFL playoffs.
  
  
• DraftKings and Fanatics are still giving customers injury-protection programs.
  
  
• Fanatics paid out over $17 million with Fair Play during the regular season.

FanDuel ran its NFL injury-protection program, which refunded prop wagers on players when they leave the game in the first quarter (and don’t return) due to injury, during the regular season. 

“FanDuel Bet Protect is not available during the NFL Playoffs, and wagers will be settled according to FanDuel House Rules,” a FanDuel spokesperson told Covers on Friday. “Other offers fans can take advantage of during the playoffs include No Sweat Bets, Profit Boots, and special Live Profit Boots for second-half action.”  

The NFL postseason begins with the wild-card round Saturday through Sunday. FanDuel said “the playoffs deserve Playoff Mode” in a message to customers that added that Bet Protect will not be available during the postseason. 

FanDuel is offering “Wild Card Rewards,” which allows users to pick a card to win up to a 100% profit boost for this weekend’s six games, and its profit boost pack will be available throughout the playoffs, as well as other promotions. 

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Keeping it rolling

DraftKings announced that its “Early Exit” program, which covers injuries through the first half, will continue when Wild Card Weekend kicks off Saturday.  

“Would never leave you unprotected,” the sportsbook said in the post.

Hello Ernie,

I can confirm that Early Exit will stand through the playoffs and cover the 1st half. Would never leave you unprotected this postseason. 🫴👑

Yours truly,@DKSportsbook https://t.co/3kawO2orOE

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) January 8, 2026

Fanatics Sportsbook is also honoring its similar promotion.  

“While other sportsbooks like FanDuel are prioritizing their parlay business over protecting consumers for the playoffs, FAIR PLAY™ Injury Protection will continue for the NFL playoffs,” Fanatics said in a press release. 

Helping out

Fanatics’ program offers automatic protection and uses a team that monitors injuries, with refunds coming in 30 minutes without having to opt in or contact support. 

Fair Play covers single-player props and parlay legs. The sportsbook reported it paid back over $17 million in Fair Play refunds during 149 “season-saving moments” that “protected customers throughout the NFL regular season.”

Over $13 million was sent back to customers through its second-quarter protection, and over a million bets were protected, including parlay legs, to preserve wagers. 

DraftKings’ program tells customers they “may receive cash back if an eligible bet is significantly impacted by a player leaving a game early due to injury and not returning.” The operator also covers parlays, same game parlays, and round-robin bets.

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