NFL Player News

Watson caught two of four targets for 32 yards and rushed once for seven yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Vikings.

Watson dropped a would-be 75-yard touchdown on Green Bay's first offensive play, beginning his NFL career on a sour note. Although he subsequently got involved as a ball carrier and made a couple catches late in the game, the rookie second-rounder will surely strive for a better showing in Week 2 versus the Bears. Fortunately for him, he should continue to get opportunities to make plays as the Packers' receiving corps remains relatively fluid.

Williams recorded just two receptions on four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Raiders.

One would have figured Keenan Allen leaving early due to a hamstring injury would have set the stage for a big day from the 27-year-old Williams, but those who followed the up-and-down roller coaster of the Williams' 2021 season shouldn't have been surprised by Sunday's outcome. Instead Allen's absence meant a pass-catcher-by-committee approach, as no one from the Chargers saw more than four targets. Expect Williams to be a larger focus if Allen misses additional time, with the likes of DeAndre Carter and Joshua Palmer operating as second-tier options.

Thielen caught three of four targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.

Thielen finished a distant second on the Vikings in receiving, as running mate Justin Jefferson set a career high with 184 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. Stopping Jefferson will surely be a focus of the Eagles ahead of their Week 2 matchup, which could open more opportunities for Thielen to contribute.

Samuel had eight receptions on 11 targets for 55 yards and a touchdown, adding four carries for 17 yards in Sunday's 28-22 win over Jacksonville.

Samuel did his best Deebo Samuel impression Sunday, racking up fantasy points both on the ground and in the air. The versatile wideout is no stranger to getting rushing attempts (he had 60 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns from 2019-2020), so his role as the Commanders' gadget/slot man could result in more fantasy-friendly lines this season. Samuel and the Commanders will take on the Lions next Sunday.

Adams caught 10 passes on 17 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown in a loss against the Chargers on Sunday.

The Raiders passing game wasn't very healthy overall in this game as Derek Carr struggled with sacks and turnovers, but Adams himself dominated almost out of the gate. With the big performance, Adams somewhat answers any doubts about whether his usage can keep up with the standards he set previously in Green Bay, even if he's unlikely to maintain the target share he posted in this particular game (17 of 35 team targets). Whatever the other specifics, the Raiders offense should run primarily through Adams.

Jefferson caught nine of 11 targets for 184 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.

Jefferson had a field day in his first game under new head coach Kevin O'Connell, being featured in a variety of ways as a pass catcher. In fact, Jefferson's yardage total marked a new career high. The star wideout began by scoring a five-yard touchdown before finding pay dirt again from 36 yards just before halftime. As he kicks off his third NFL season, Jefferson is already established as one of the league's premier players at his position, as he displayed once again Sunday.

Pierce did not secure either of his two targets, including a drop that hit his hands for a potential easy touchdown catch, in the Colts' 20-20 overtime tie with the Texans on Sunday.

Pierce garnered a significant role on paper to open the season, but the second-round pick wasn't able to connect with Matt Ryan on either of the two throws that went his way in his debut and his big drop may have hurt his confidence in the offense. Pierce could eventually take over clear-cut No. 2 receiver duties as the season unfolds, but at least in Week 1, he was clearly behind Parris Campbell, who recorded a 3-37 line on four targets. Pierce's next opportunity to break the ice comes in a Week 2 road matchup versus the Jaguars.

Miller is inactive for Sunday night's season opener against the Cowboys.

Miller is the odd man out in Week 1, with Tampa Bay's top wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage and Julio Jones all in uniform Sunday night. He's off the fantasy radar until or unless injuries hit the aforementioned quartet.

Peoples-Jones secured six of 11 targets for 60 yards in the Browns' 26-24 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Peoples-Jones was the somewhat surprising leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Browns, accounting for nearly half of Jacoby Brissett's 147-yard tally through the air. The third-year speedster's final catch of the day was his most important, as he recorded a 13-yard grab on what would turn out to be the game-winning drive for Cleveland. Despite the offseason addition of Amari Cooper, Peoples-Jones should retain an important role in the air attack throughout the course of the season, perhaps peaking in upside once Deshaun Watson (suspension) takes over under center later in the season.

Tolbert (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With Michael Gallup not yet ready to return from a torn ACL, Tolbert was believed to be a part of the plan at wide receiver as a rookie third-round pick in the early going. Instead, coach Mike McCarthy has made Tolbert a healthy scratch, meaning the Cowboys' active WRs are CeeDee Lamb, Noah Brown, Dennis Houston, Simi Fehoko and KaVontae Turpin in Week 1.