NFL Player News

Tennessee signed Smith to its practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Smith was waived by Carolina prior to Week 1, but he's found another opportunity to make an impression with a new team ahead of Week 4. Tennessee's pecking order for targets is pretty well-established after three weeks though, so it would take a slew of injuries for Smith to see a significant number in 2023.

Skowronek brought in his only target for three yards during Monday's 19-16 loss to the Bengals.

Skowronek found his only reception of the game at the start of the third quarter and was on the field for just 12 snaps through the entire game. While "Skow" is on top of the pecking order behind the starting trio of Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Van Jefferson, that role hasn't led to much of an impact in the stat column through three weeks.

Jefferson caught one of three targets for 46 yards and rushed once for four yards during Monday's 19-16 loss to the Bengals.

Jefferson's single reception was a spectacular catch past former Rams safety Nick Scott, but Jefferson was also the target on one of Matthew Stafford's two interceptions on the day. It was a season low in targets for the veteran wideout, and his usage has trended downward each week of the 2023 campaign as Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell continue to dominate the target share heading into a Week 4 showdown with the Colts.

Watson (hamstring) said Tuesday that he plans to play in Thursday's matchup versus the Lions, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Watson has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, but it appears he's pushing to make his debut in Week 4. The second-year wideout was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report, however, so he only has a couple days left to show he's ready to rejoin the lineup.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury that may limit him during the early part of Week 4 prep, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The Steelers will take the field Wednesday for their first practice of the week, but it seems as if Robinson will have some sort of cap on his reps. As a result, his activity level will be something to watch as the week goes on to get a sense of his availability for Sunday's game at Houston. With Diontae Johnson (hamstring) on IR and Gunner Olszewski in the concussion protocol, George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin and Dez Fitzpatrick are the only healthy wide receivers on Pittsburgh's active roster.

Watson notched two receptions (on three targets) for 51 yards during Sunday's 41-10 victory against Chicago.

Watson has remained surprisingly involved in the Chiefs' passing attack this season despite all of the options in the wide receiver room, collecting 12 targets through the first three weeks. He's averaged 22.6 yards per completion over his first three contests, finishing with at least 45 receiving yards in each of the first three, but he doesn't produce enough to warrant consideration in the majority of fantasy formats at this point. Given that he's in his seventh year in the league and second with Kansas City, it's unlikely change is on the horizon.

Moore notched four receptions (on six targets) for 42 yards during Sunday's 41-10 win against Chicago.

Moore was also targeted a seventh time, though that play was scrapped due to a defensive offside. That said, two of his official six targets came when backup Blaine Gabbert was in after the Chiefs went up 41-0 on the Bears early in the second half, and they accounted for 17 of his 42 receiving yards on the day. Moore did reach pay dirt in Week 3, but he remains an inconsistent producer from a fantasy standpoint. He will likely be a touchdown-dependent option potentially worth rostering in deeper or dynasty fantasy formats.

Valdes-Scantling reeled in one of two targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 41-10 victory over Chicago.

Valdes-Scantling hasn't compiled more than two catches in a game through the first trio of weeks, drawing no more than three targets in a contest. He's also yet to find pay dirt, and it's seemingly trending toward another season in which the Chiefs' wide receiver room won't sport consistent production. However, MVS is already trailing Rashee Rice (14), Skyy Moore (13), Justin Watson and Kadarius Toney (11) in targets, so there's little to suggest he will be a worthwhile fantasy asset in 2023.

Boyd had five receptions (on nine targets) for 39 yards in Monday's 19-16 win over the Rams.

Boyd turned in another solid PPR effort after grabbing six receptions against the Ravens in Week 2. The veteran slot receiver finished a distant second in receiving for the Bengals behind Ja'Marr Chase's 12-catch, 141-yard performance. Boyd doesn't carry the upside of his superstar teammate, but he offers a safe fantasy floor heading into Sunday's tilt against Tennessee.

Higgins was held to two receptions (on eight targets) for 21 yards in Monday's 19-16 win over the Rams.

Higgins was unable to build off of his monster two-score game from Week 2 against the Ravens, instead reverting to his Week 1 form, when he posted a bagel on eight targets. The 24-year-old was able to grab two of his eight targets this time around, but he still harbors an ugly 36 percent catch rate through three games. Joe Burrow (calf) has been limited by injury to begin the season, and it has clearly affected the rhythm between him and his top targets. Until the franchise quarterback starts playing like his usual self, Higgins and the Bengals' passing game may continue to have volatile results. He'll get an opportunity to bounce back against the Titans on Sunday.