NFL Player News

Robinson secured all four of his targets for 36 yards during Saturday's 34-11 win over Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh's offense was clicking with Mason Rudolph under center Saturday, and Robinson had his highest reception total since Week 5 and his highest yardage total since the regular-season opener. He's tallied double-digit yards in six consecutive games, securing 15 of 18 targets for 126 yards during that time. Despite Saturday's encouraging performance, it seems unlikely that Robinson will be a significant fantasy asset over the final two weeks of the season.

Pierce could serve as the Colts' No. 1 receiver Sunday against the Falcons with Michael Pittman (concussion/shoulder) set to miss his first game of the season, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Though Boyd specifically names Pierce as the top candidate to step in as the Colts' top wideout Sunday, rookie Josh Downs has also been a regular alongside Pierce and Pittman in three-receiver sets this season and should see an expanded profile in the passing game as well. Pierce and Downs may not face much competition for looks from quarterback Gardner Minshew, as none of the team's other receivers, tight ends or running backs have proven to be high-volume targets this season. Since Week 7, only one Colts pass catcher other than Pittman, Pierce or Downs has drawn six or more targets in a game (running back Zack Moss, eight targets in Week 14).

Collins (calf), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to suit up Sunday versus Cleveland, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Collins looks poised to return from a one-game absence due to a strained calf, but he'll have to work with Case Keenum as his quarterback, with C.J. Stroud (concussion) out at least one more week. Official word on Collins' status will arrive when Houston posts its inactive list 90 minutes ahead of the 1 p.m. ET Christmas Eve kickoff. Fantasy managers may be tempted to tread cautiously considering Collins' circumstances, but it's worth noting that Noah Brown turned in a massive 8-82-1 receiving line on 11 targets with Keenum as his quarterback last week, albeit in an easier matchup against Tennessee's defense.

Jones (hamstring/knee) isn't expected to play Sunday versus the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones is officially listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, but head coach Doug Pederson stated Friday that the slot man wasn't on track to be available at Tampa Bay. Pederson labeled Jones "week-to-week" when he spoke about the receiver's injury Wednesday, so the bigger question may be whether Jones will be ready to return to action Week 17 against Carolina. If Jones is indeed included among Jacksonville's inactive players Sunday, additional snaps at receiver will be available for Parker Washington, Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones behind top wideout Calvin Ridley.

Wicks (ankle), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against Carolina, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Wicks' availability is more crucial than usual for Green Bay, with Christian Watson (hamstring) listed as doubtful and rookie slot man Jayden Reed (toe) questionable after missing practice Friday. Himself a rookie fifth-round pick, Wicks stepped up to secure six of nine targets for 97 yards versus the Buccaneers in Week 15 with Watson sidelined. An ankle injury limited Wicks' participation in Week 16 practices, but he appears to be trending positively for Sunday's game. Official word on his status will come when Green Bay posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff time.

Johnston had two receptions (five targets) for 29 yards and gained one yard on his only rushing attempt in Saturday's 24-22 loss to Buffalo.

Johnston remained a starter under interim head coach Giff Smith after Keenan Allen (heel) missed his second game in a row Saturday. The first-round rookie's five targets were his most since Week 11, but a poor conversion rate resulted in mediocre fantasy numbers. Fellow starter Joshua Palmer and tight end Gerald Everett tied for the team lead in targets with eight Saturday, leaving Johnston's role unchanged following the Chargers' recent staffing shuffle. Given that fact, Johnston makes for a risky play against Denver in Week 17.

Palmer had five receptions on eight targets for 47 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Palmer continued to serve as the Chargers' No. 1 wideout after Keenan Allen (heel) was forced to miss his second week of action in a row. The former finished as his team's leading receiver, but he failed to recreate last week's long touchdown grab. Palmer's eight targets tied tight end Gerald Everett (7-42-0) for the team lead in that category as well. The end result was a solid receiving line from Palmer, who has a chance to close out the year as the Chargers' top outside option if Allen is unable to return against either the Broncos next Sunday or the Chiefs in Week 18.

Shakir recorded three catches on three targets for 45 yards in Saturday's 24-22 win over the Chargers.

Shakir has found opportunity hard to come by with both Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox healthy, as he entered Saturday's win with only one target in each of his last two games. He still had limited volume against the Chargers, but he had three impactful gains of 16, 15 and 14 yards. It originally appeared that Shakir scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the Bills ahead, though he was ruled down by contact. While it was a solid performance, Shakir will remain a peripheral option in Buffalo's offense to close the regular season.

Collins (calf), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, is trending toward playing, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While the Texans will welcome Collins back with open arms if he's active, it's fair to wonder what kind of fantasy impact the third-year receiver will have with Case Keenum once again starting under center. Noah Brown managed a massive day last Sunday with the veteran passer, so it's certainly within reason that Collins could operate in a similar titular role, but the Christmas Eve matchup against Cleveland's outstanding defense is understandably far less attractive. Expect official confirmation regarding Collins' status prior to the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Diggs recorded five catches on eight targets for 29 yards in Saturday's 24-22 win over the Chargers.

Diggs led the team with eight targets, and he's now reached that mark four times in his last five games. However, in that same span, he's topped 50 yards only once and has not reached 100 yards since Week 6. Diggs' downturn in production is alarming and without clear explanation, though the Bills have hit their stride offensively in the last few weeks, providing hope that Diggs can turn things around before the regular season comes to a close.