NFL Player News

Nacua caught three of seven targets for 43 yards during Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys.

The rookie sensation's last four contests have been truly all-or-nothing performances. Weeks 5 and 7 saw Nacua go off with a 15-225-1 total receiving line, while Week 6 (4-26-0) and this week's matchup against the Cowboys were disappointments. Nacua wasn't the only star to be shut down, however, as Cooper Kupp also failed to impress with just four catches for 21 yards on a team-high 10 targets. Nacua's volume in the passing game helped keep him relevant after Kupp's return, but more worrying for fantasy managers is the single target Nacua saw from backup Brett Rypien after Matthew Stafford left with a thumb injury. Any missed time for Stafford would likely bring both Nacua and Kupp's ceiling down by a noticeable amount and make floor games like this far more likely. The Rams travel to another imposing pass defense in Green Bay in Week 9 before their Week 10 bye.

Atwell secured two of four targets for 21 yards and rushed twice for eight yards during Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys. He also threw a two-point conversion.

Atwell's biggest contribution in the passing game was a leaping 20-yard catch on third down late in the second quarter, which extended a drive that led to a Royce Freeman touchdown. The wideout later threw a pass to Matthew Stafford on a successful two-point conversion attempt early in the third quarter, which would prove to be Stafford's last action of the game. Backup Brett Rypien would target Atwell only once the rest of the contest, and the biggest contribution for the speedster from that point on was an eight-yard rush. Rypien doesn't have the arm to stretch the field like Stafford does, and any missed time for the veteran signal-caller would further depress Atwell's already downward trending stock.

Eskridge lost five yards on his lone rushing attempt and returned one kickoff for 24 yards in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Browns.

Eskridge returned from his six-game suspension and shook off a knee injury to make his season debut Sunday. The 2021 second-round pick only played three offensive snaps. With Jake Bobo's emergence as the No. 4 receiver, Eskridge isn't expected to have much of an offensive impact this season.

Bobo caught two passes (on two targets) for 23 yards and rushed once for a three-yard touchdown in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Browns.

Bobo cut behind the right guard on an end around to open the scoring in the first quarter, becoming the first wide receiver this season to score both a rushing and a receiving touchdown. The undrafted rookie has been a great story this season, but his playing time is slipping now that DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are all healthy. In Week 8, Bobo played just 17 offensive snaps (31 percent).

Coach Ron Rivera said Monday that Samuel is dealing with soreness after leaving Sunday's loss to the Eagles early due to a toe injury, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

In the lead-up to Sunday's game, Samuel kicked off Week 8 prep with an absence before logging back-to-back limited sessions and entering the weekend as questionable to play due to a foot issue. After Samuel's exit Sunday, though, Rivera didn't get into specifics regarding the new injury Monday but did tell Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post that the wide receiver will be evaluated further to determine its extent. It's thus unclear if Samuel is in danger of missing any time, but if he does, Dyami Brown and Jamison Crowder would be candidates for increased run behind starters Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

Powell had one reception for 10 yards on three targets and had one carry for two yards in Sunday's win at Green Bay. He also had three punt returns for an average of 11.3 yards.

Powell left briefly due to an injury but was able to return. He played on 37 of the offense's 72 snaps as he continues to work as the third receiver with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) on injured reserve. It's possible Jefferson could return Week 10, so Powell may soon be back to a smaller role.

Agnew didn't receive a target, returned one kickoff for 27 yards and three punts for 34 yards during Sunday's 20-10 win against the Steelers.

The veteran return man had four catches for 36 yards last week but wasn't involved in the passing game Sunday despite the continued absence of Zay Jones (knee). Agnew played just 20 offensive snaps compared to Tim Jones' 25, but neither wideout received a target from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Claypool secured one of two targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 31-17 win over the Patriots.

Claypool split No. 3 receiver snaps with Cedrick Wilson and Braxton Berrios, though as usual it was Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle who monopolized Miami's air yards. While Claypool remains off the fantasy radar, he could have an opportunity to build on his depth role with the Dolphins if he can string together a few consistent games.

Wilson secured his only target for a one-yard touchdown during Sunday's 31-17 win over the Patriots.

Wilson recorded his first touchdown in a Dolphins uniform Sunday, though he played a season-low 29 percent of offensive snaps. He will look to get more involved versus the Chiefs in Germany in Week 9, but with Chase Claypool now also in the mix as a depth wideout, there aren't many snaps to go around behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Smith-Schuster could have an opportunity to reestablish his role in the Patriots receiving corps with Kendrick Bourne reportedly having sustained a torn ACL on Sunday at Miami, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Additionally, DeVante Parker is in the NFL's concussion protocol, so the team's Week 9 WR depth could be further taxed. In any case, rookie Demario Douglas figures to maintain a key role in the weeks ahead, while Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor are also candidates to factor in. Through six games to date, Smith-Schuster has caught 15 of his 26 targets for 89 yards and a TD, but the Patriots' current injury situation could lead to the veteran wideout seeing an opportunity to become more involved in the offense as soon as Sunday's game against the Commanders.