NFL Player News
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Justin Jefferson WR | MIN
Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Struggles continue in Week 14
Jefferson caught two of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 31-0 win over the Commanders.
For the second straight game, Jefferson failed to reach 20 receiving yards, but this time he didn't have an undrafted rookie under center as an excuse. J.J. McCarthy returned from a concussion in Week 14 and threw a career-high three TDs, but all three went to tight ends, while Jordan Addison was his top option with a 4-62-0 line on seven targets. Jefferson hasn't scored a touchdown himself since Week 9 and hasn't had a 100-yard performance since Week 5, but he gets another golden opportunity to break out in Week 15 against the Cowboys.
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Tee Higgins WR | CIN
Bengals' Tee Higgins: Stellar performance in return
Higgins brought in six of 11 targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals' 39-34 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Higgins' return from a one-game absence due to a concussion was memorable, as the veteran wideout led the way for the Bengals in receiving yards, targets and touchdown receptions on the day while also tying for the team lead in catches. Higgins had a couple of injury scares during the contest, including one that involved a concussion check after his helmet snapped against the turf on a catch attempt, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. However, Higgins made it back to the field on both occasions and posted his third-highest yardage total of the campaign while recording picturesque 21- and 25-yard scoring grabs. Sunday also marked Higgins' first opportunity to work with Joe Burrow since Week 2, as the wideout missed the quarterback's Thanksgiving return against the Ravens, and the duo will look to keep clicking in a Week 15 divisional home showdown against the Ravens next Sunday.
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Noah Brown WR | WAS
Commanders' Noah Brown: One catch in return
Brown caught one of two targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.
Seeing his first action since Week 2 after recovering from multiple lower-body injuries, Brown didn't see much volume with both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel also healthy ahead of him on the depth chart. The Commanders' QB situation is also unsettled, with Jayden Daniels lasting a little over three quarters in his own return from a dislocated left elbow, but if Marcus Mariota is back under center in Week 15 against the Giants instead, Brown still figures to be a secondary option at best.
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Deebo Samuel WR | WAS
Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Team-high four grabs in loss
Samuel caught four of six targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.
The four receptions led the Commanders while the six targets tied Terry McLaurin for the team lead, but the volume didn't amount to much yardage. Washington's passing attack struggled even with Jayden Daniels returning to action, but the second-year QB left the game in the third quarter after appearing to aggravate his dislocated left elbow. Regardless of whether Daniels or Marcus Mariota is under center in Week 15 against the Giants, Samuel figures to be involved in the offense -- he's seen at least five targets and caught at least three passes in nine straight appearances, compiling a 46-429-4 line on 60 targets over that stretch.
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Terry McLaurin WR | WAS
Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Modest numbers in Daniels' return
McLaurin caught three of six targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.
The 41 receiving yards actually led the Commanders on the day, as neither Jayden Daniels (elbow) nor Marcus Mariota had much success against the Minnesota defense. In two games since his own return from a quadriceps strain, McLaurin has caught 11 of 20 targets for 137 yards and a TD, and he's locked in as Washington's top wideout whether Daniels -- who appeared to aggravate his dislocated left elbow in the loss -- or Mariota is under center in Week 15 against the Giants.
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Anthony Gould WR | IND
Colts' Anthony Gould: Questionable to return
Gould (foot) is questionable to return in Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Gould exited in the second half of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. The 24-year-old had one reception for three yards. While Gould is out, Josh Downs or Ameer Abdullah will likely take over kick return duties.
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Xavier Weaver WR | ARI
Cardinals' Xavier Weaver: Inactive in Week 14
Weaver (hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Rams.
In a receiving corps that already was trending toward being without Marvin Harrison (heel) and Greg Dortch (chest) in Week 14, Weaver showed up on Thursday's injury report as limited due to a hamstring issue and then wasn't able to practice at all Friday, leaving him questionable for Sunday's game. Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Saturday evening that Weaver wasn't in line to play this weekend, which now has come to pass. With Harrison also inactive and Dortch placed on injured reserve Saturday, the Cardinals will be rolling with Trent Sherfield, Andre Baccellia and Jalen Brooks at wide receiver behind clear-cut No. 1 option Michael Wilson.
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Matthew Golden WR | GB
Packers' Matthew Golden: Returning to action Sunday
Golden (wrist) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Golden has missed three of the last four contests due to shoulder and wrist injuries, but in his return to the lineup Week 14, he'll welcome back third-year WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder), who has been sidelined since Week 2. Considering all of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks entered the weekend without designations, Golden and Reed may be capped to certain situations behind that trio. Having said that, Golden has managed just a 24-286-0 line on 32 targets in nine appearances to begin his career, so he's difficult to trust for consistent production.
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Jayden Reed WR | GB
Packers' Jayden Reed: Back in action in Week 14
Reed (foot/shoulder) is listed as active Sunday against the Bears, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Reed spent much of training camp and the entire preseason sidelined due to what eventually was termed a Jones fracture in his left foot. Then, during a Week 2 win against the Commanders, he fell hard on his right shoulder while hauling in a would-be TD that was nullified by a penalty, and he was diagnosed with a broken collarbone afterward. He underwent procedures to address both injuries Sept. 16, before the Packers designated him for return from injured reserve Nov. 21. After Reed was activated from IR on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported later that day that the third-year pro was expected to suit up Sunday, which now has been confirmed. Reed wasn't listed as anything other than limited on Green Bay practice reports leading up to his return, so there's a chance he's eased in while working alongside fellow WRs Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Matthew Golden (wrist).
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Malachi Corley WR | CLE
Browns' Malachi Corley: Enters concussion protocol
Corley has entered the league's concussion protocol and will not return to Sunday's game against the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Corley was shaken up on a jet sweep run after being tackled by Amani Hooker. Gage Larvadain should see more reps at wide receiver, and Jerome Ford and Isaiah Bond are in line for more work as returners on kickoffs in Corley's absence.