NFL Player News

Noel was untargeted, had one carry for minus-3 yards and returned four punts for 62 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to Denver in Week 9.

Following a couple of productive weeks during which Houston was without top wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, Noel was nearly invisible on offense with the veterans back on the field. Noel was reduced to impacting the game on special teams, which he did early in the third quarter on a 45-yard punt return to set up the team's final score. The presence of Collins and Kirk dampened the involvement of both Noel and fellow rookie wideout Jayden Higgins (one target). The loss of starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) may have also played a role. The Texans gained just 87 yards on seven second-half possessions and punted on its final six drives with Davis Mills under center.

Higgins caught his lone target for four yards and played 35 snaps in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos in Week 9.

Higgins, who had eight targets and 66 snaps last week, experienced a significant reduction in workload and volume due to the returns of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. In the six games when all the Texans' wideouts have been healthy in 2025, Higgins is averaging 30 snaps and 2.5 targets per game. For now, he's fourth on the depth chart, behind Xavier Hutchinson and slightly ahead of fellow rookie Jaylin Noel, who was limited to 11 offensive snaps and went untargeted Sunday.

Hutchinson caught three of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to Denver in Week 9.

The returns of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk were expected to impact Hutchinson's relevance, but his targets remained high by his standards. The third-year wideout is averaging five targets per game over the last three weeks after opening the season with three per game prior to Houston's Week 6 bye. He continued to hold off rookies Jayden Higgins (one target) and Jaylin Noel (zero) for the WR3 role. Starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) was removed in the second quarter of Sunday's loss and replaced by backup Davis Mills, who led the offense for 11 possessions but led the Texans to just 15.6 yards per drive on average. If Stroud misses further time, it would impact the ceiling of all the team's skill players.

Dike recorded one catch on three targets for five yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chargers. He also returned three punts for 98 yards and a touchdown, as well as four kickoffs for 117 yards.

Dike had been breaking out as a receiver in recent weeks, but he showcased his overall playmaking ability in Sunday's loss. He returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, bouncing off a few tacklers before streaking down the right sideline into the end zone. Dike otherwise took a disappointing step back as a pass catcher, as this marked his first game without multiple catches since Week 4.

Jefferson recorded one catch on four targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chargers.

Jefferson maintained a significant role in the Tennessee offense with Calvin Ridley (hamstring) sidelined. He's managed at least four targets in four straight games, though Jefferson has managed only one reception in each of his last two contests. He should continue to get opportunities so long as Ridley is sidelined, but Jefferson's production will likely be sporadic.

Ayomanor recorded three receptions on six targets for 46 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chargers.

Ayomanor turned in a modest stat line, though he led the team in targets and yards. He nearly broke free for a touchdown on a 29-yard catch over the middle of the field to begin the third quarter, but it was still the second-longest catch of his rookie season. Ayomanor has topped 45 yards in each of his last two games after achieving that mark just once in his first seven contests.

Tucker finished with three receptions on four targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 30-29 overtime loss to Jacksonville.

Tucker produced the most yards from any Las Vegas wide receiver Sunday, but he finished a distant third behind TE Brock Bowers (12-127-3) and RB Ashton Jeanty (5-47-1) in receiving. The 24-year-old Tucker has seen his production peter out following his outlier three-score performance back in Week 3, averaging 3.8 receptions and 43.2 yards with no touchdowns in the five games since. Tucker should be viewed as a deep-league option heading into next Sunday's tilt versus the Broncos.

Washington corralled eight of nine targets for 90 yards in Sunday's 30-29 overtime win over Las Vegas.

Washington led the Jaguars in receiving Sunday with Travis Hunter (knee) being placed on injured reserve this week. It also helped that starter Brian Thomas (ankle) left the contest late in the fourth quarter, but most of Washington's production came with Thomas still active. Expect the 23-year-old to continue seeing extended run for as long as Hunter remains out. Washington's value could inflate further if Thomas is also unable to suit up against the Texans next Sunday.

Brown had two receptions on four targets for 73 yards in Sunday's 28-21 loss to Buffalo.

Brown resurfaced after being held without a catch in last week's rout of the Raiders. The Chiefs were playing from behind for most of this contest, which helps explain the deep threat's increased involvement Sunday. Brown's four targets checked in at fourth among Kansas City receiving options, a trend that should continue moving forward now that the team's receiving corps is back to full strength. Brown's reduced role should keep him in deep-league territory for fantasy purposes against the Broncos in Week 10.

Horton finished with four receptions on as many targets for 48 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 38-14 rout of the Commanders.

Horton filled in for injured starter Cooper Kupp (heel/hamstring) on Sunday Night Football, resulting in the first multi-score game of his young career. The 2025 fifth-round pick wasted no time seizing his opportunity, catching touchdown passes on consecutive scoring drives out of the gates for Seattle. Horton's production was muted in the second half after Sam Darnold began spreading the ball around to auxiliary options in the blowout victory. It is unclear how much more time Kupp will miss (if any), but Horton certainly made his case for more targets moving forward as Seattle prepares to host Arizona next Sunday.