NFL Player News

Pickens secured five of six targets for 19 yards in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

The talented second-year wideout struggled yet again to make an impact, although Mitch Trubisky's lackluster play certainly played a large part in Pickens' struggles. Pickens' catch total was a team high on the night, but his 3.8 yards per reception made it a completely unproductive performance outside of season-long or daily full-PPR formats. Pickens does have at least four receptions in three of the past four games, and he'll aim to take advantage of a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup.

Johnson secured three of seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

Johnson's receiving yardage paced the Steelers on the night by a wide margin, and his targets were also a team high. The fifth-year pro's yardage tally was also his highest since Week 9, and he's now scored in consecutive contests for the first time this season after recording a 25-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter. Johnson was the intended target on Mitch Trubisky's fourth-down heave down the left sideline with 1:55 remaining, but the speedy wideout was unable to gain enough separation to come close to making a catch. Johnson next takes aim at a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16.

Smith-Schuster secured four of six targets for 90 yards in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Smith-Schuster led the Patriots in receiving yardage with what was also his highest tally since Week 7 of last season with the Chiefs. The 2017 second-round pick of the Steelers burned his original squad with a game-long 37-yard grab on New England's third offensive play, and he added 17- and 28-yard receptions later in the first half. Smith-Schuster's overall performance was easily his most productive of what has otherwise been a mostly lackluster campaign, but he could have a difficult time putting together a successful encore against the highly talented secondary of his other prior team, the Chiefs, in a Week 15 home matchup on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Eskridge (ribs) did not participate in practice Thursday after fully participating in Wednesday's session, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The wide receiver sat out of the Seahawks' Week 13 loss to the Cowboys with the injury. Eskridge does not have a catch this season on 16 offensive snaps, though he is Seattle's kick returner.

Bobo (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday after participating on a limited basis Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The depth wide receiver first appeared on the injury report Wednesday. Bobo has 15 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown in 2023.

Davis (undisclosed) was reinstated from the Saints' practice squad injured list Thursday.

Davis is available for the first time since suffering an undisclosed injury in early October, returning to his role on the team's practice squad. The wide receiver has yet to make his NFL debut after signing with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in April.

Black was signed to the Ravens' practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Black was with Baltimore earlier this season and he will return to the Ravens' practice unit. The 25-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since 2021 and will provide the team with an extreme depth option at wide receiver.

McCloud (ribs) missed practice Thursday after participating on a limited basis in Wednesday's session, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

It's a step in the wrong direction for the 49ers' kick and punt returner ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks. As a receiver, McCloud has nine catches for 113 yards and no touchdowns in 2023.

Smith-Schuster (ankle) is active for Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Smith-Schuster approached the contest listed as questionable after being listed as a limited participant on practice reports Monday through Wednesday, but he'll be available Thursday, unlike Demario Douglas (concussion), DeVante Parker (knee) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder). In the Patriots' 6-0 loss to the Chargers in Week 13, Smith-Schuster recorded just one catch for 11 yards on three targets. The veteran wideout remains a speculative lineup option versus Pittsburgh, given his modest overall production this season and the overall state of New England's offense ahead of Week 14 action.

Parker (knee) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Parker, who was listed as a limited participant on practice reports Monday through Wednesday, approached the contest listed as questionable, and he'll sit this one out along with Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder). In his absence, JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor and Malik Cunningham are available to handle New England's WR duties versus Pittsburgh. Parker now will target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 17 against the Chiefs.