NFL Player News

Boutte (shoulder) was a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Boutte was unable to practice last week and missed the team's loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Although the report is just an estimated level of participation, it's not a good start to the week for the LSU product and his chances of suiting up Thursday against the Steelers. He'll likely need to get on the field in some capacity Tuesday to have a chance to play.

Smith-Schuster (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Smith-Schuster played 59 offensive snaps in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers but totaled just one catch for 11 yards on three targets. New England is banged up at wide receiver -- Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) were listed as non-participants Monday, while DeVante Parker (knee) was limited -- but Smith-Schuster's problem this season has been a lack of production rather than a lack of playing time. Even if he suits up Thursday against the Steelers and the other receivers don't, Smith-Schuster's upside will be limited considering he has recorded 15 or more receiving yards in only one game since Week 3.

Parker (knee) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Parker led the Patriots in targets (nine) and receiving yards (64) in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, but he's nursing a knee injury in the aftermath of that strong performance. Fellow wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) also was listed as limited on Monday's estimate, while Demario Douglas (concussion) was a non-participant. With Douglas potentially unable to suit up Thursday in Pittsburgh, Parker could remain the team's top wide receiver if he's able to shed this knee injury.

Douglas (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Douglas hasn't resumed practicing since entering the NFL's five-step concussion protocol after a 10-7 Week 12 loss to the Giants. With Thursday's game against the Steelers fast approaching, Douglas is running out of time to clear the protocol. DeVante Parker (knee), Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) led New England's receiving corps with Douglas sidelined in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers.

Moore recorded one reception for 12 yards in Sunday's 31-28 overtime loss to Indianapolis.

Moore logged a snap rate above 60 percent for the fourth consecutive game, though it translated to only target. He has logged multiple targets in three of his last five games but has topped 40 yards only twice in that span.

Coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday that Dell will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on the broken fibula he suffered in Sunday's 22-17 win over the Broncos, Ben Arthur of Fox Sports reports.

Dell finishes his rookie season with 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 targets in 11 games. He also had 51 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Dell and C.J. Stroud were on pace to challenge all-time production records for a rookie quarterback-receiver duo, so Dell's future remains bright if he can make a full recovery, but his absence for the remainder of the season will complicate the 7-5 Texans' path to the playoffs. Noah Brown, Robert Woods and John Metchie likely will all see increased usage behind Nico Collins in Dell's absence.

Westbrook-Ikhine recorded one reception on three targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 31-28 overtime loss to the Colts.

Westbrook-Ikhine finished as the fourth-most targeted pass catcher in the Tennessee offense, most notably behind Chigoziem Okonkwo. He now has only one catch in five of his last six games while topping 30 yards twice in that span.

Dell underwent successful surgery Monday to repair a fractured left fibula, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dell sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Texans' 22-17 win over the Broncos on Sunday, when he got tangled up with other players while blocking on Dameon Pierce's three-yard touchdown run. The Texans haven't yet confirmed that Dell fractured his fibula, nor has the team offered up a timeline for his recovery from surgery, but injuries of this sort typically require a 6-to-8-week healing period, according to Alexander. With that in mind, Dell looks set to miss the rest of the season, and even a return to action in the playoffs may be unrealistic, unless the Texans not only clinch a postseason spot but also make a run to the divisional round. Moreover, the Texans have the ability to activate just one more player from injured reserve this season, and kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (quadriceps) looks to be the best candidate, as he could be ready to play as soon as this Sunday versus the Jets. As such, if Dell is moved to IR, it will likely spell an end to his rookie campaign. The 24-year-old has been one of the most productive first-year wideouts in the league, as he's put together a 47-709-7 line on 75 targets through 11 appearances.

Thornton logged 51 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

While Thornton gained 39 yards on an end around, per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, his lone target in the contest came on a deep pass from QB Bailey Zappe that slipped through the wideout's hands, according to Mark Daniels of Masslive.com. The 2022 second-rounder saw added snaps Sunday with Demario Douglas (concussion) out, but regardless of whether or not Douglas is available Thursday night against the Steelers, Thornton remains off the fantasy radar given that he's been limited to a 5-34-0 receiving line in five games to date.

Smith-Schuster was on the field for 59 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Despite leading the Patriots' wide receivers in playing time Sunday, Smith-Schuster recorded just one catch for 11 yards on three targets in the contest. With the team's offense continuing to struggle, Smith-Schuster doesn't hold much fantasy lineup appeal ahead of Thursday night's game against the Steelers.