NFL Player News

Cephus caught three of seven targets for 12 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 41-33 loss to San Francisco. He also secured a two-point conversion.

While it's not ideal to average less than two yards per target, Cephus was still one of the bright spots of the Lions offense Sunday. Not only did he make a tough catch on the sideline on a less-than-perfect pass from Jared Goff, Cephus also boxed out a defender for a short touchdown on the goal line before hauling in a two-point conversion at the very edge of the end zone in the fourth quarter. However, it should be noted that the Wisconsin product might not have received as many opportunities if Tyrell Williams (undisclosed) didn't leave the game in the third quarter, as Cephus ultimately finished fifth in snaps among Detroit wideouts behind Williams, Kalif Raymond, Trinity Benson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Even if Williams misses time, Cephus seems like a touchdown-dependent fantasy option entering Week 2.

Raymond caught three of four passes for 50 yards during Sunday's 41-33 loss to the 49ers.

Raymond ultimately led all Lions receivers in snaps after Tyrell Williams (undisclosed) headed to the locker room at the start of the third quarter. While he finished just sixth in targets on a day when Jared Goff peppered his running backs and tight ends, Raymond at least was on the receiving end of one of Goff's best passes of the game. Regardless of Williams' status for Week 2 against the Packers, the 5-foot-8 receiver seems locked into a key role within the Lions' receiving corps.

St. Brown caught two of four targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 41-33 loss to the 49ers.

The final numbers for St. Brown weren't great, but they would have been better if Jared Goff didn't miss the rookie while he was streaking down the sideline for a would-be touchdown in the first quarter. However, St. Brown at least finished second in offensive snaps (59) behind Kalif Raymond (69) after Tyrell Williams (undisclosed) was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. If Williams is forced to miss time, St. Brown again could handle a large majority of the offensive snaps when Detroit travels to Green Bay in Week 2.

Conley caught both of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 37-21 win over Jacksonville.

In terms of playing time, Conley (40 snaps) and rookie Nico Collins (43) emerged as the most prominent wide receivers behind Brandin Cooks, but it was the recently signed Danny Amendola (five targets, one TD) that made the biggest impact (in 17 snaps) among Houston's second-tier receivers. How that dynamic changes when/if Anthony Miller (inactive, coach's decision) is active is an open question. Houston was able to dictate the game as it wanted due to a large early lead, which means relying on the ground game more than throwing the ball. But things may not always be as easy for them as it was Week 1, which will mean more chances for guys like Conley.

Sims played two snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Chargers, catching his lone target for a 17-yard gain.

There was some thought Sims and Dyami Brown would share the No. 2 receiver role with Curtis Samuel (groin) on injured reserve for at least the first three weeks of the season. Brown finished with just one catch for a loss of two yards on four targets, but he dominated playing time with a 93 percent snap share, while Sims got most of his work on special teams. It is possible Sims gets a little more playing time Week 2, but he won't be a recommended fantasy play for Thursday's game against the Giants.

Collins caught one of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 37-21 win over the Jaguars.

Collins, a 2021 third-round draft pick, was second among wide receivers with 43 snaps (55 percent), trailing only No. 1 wideout Brandin Cooks. When Houston made Anthony Miller (coach's decision) inactive, it was unclear how the playing time would be distributed, but Collins and Chris Conley (40 snaps) were given the most run after Cooks. Danny Amendola, recently added to the roster, was fourth among the wideouts at 17 snaps but equaled the targets of the Cooks/Conley duo.

Patrick secured all four of his targets for 39 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Giants.

After a 2020 season with zero drops, Patrick picked up where he left off, catching every pass that Teddy Bridgewater threw his way. The 27-year-old wideout was tied for third in targets with KJ Hamler, behind only Noah Fant and Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy left the contest early with a high ankle sprain, which will more than likely sideline the wide receiver for multiple weeks. In his absence, Patrick figures to benefit as a trusted playmaker in the passing game. The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder will have the chance to show what he can do in a more prominent role when the Broncos visit the Jaguars in Week 2.

Brown caught just one of four targets for a two-yard loss in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Chargers, but he did play 93 percent of Washington's snaps on offense.

The rookie third-round pick actually tied Terry McLaurin for second on the team in targets, as QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke combined for only 21 pass attempts in a game where Washington emphasized Antonio Gibson but got smashed in the possession battle anyway. While the rookie didn't exactly shine in his regular-season debut, Brown did have a solid grip on the No. 2 receiver role from a playing time standpoint, with Cam Sims poaching just two snaps all afternoon. Of course, Brown could be demoted to third or fourth on the depth chart once Curtis Samuel (groin) returns from injured reserve (at some point Week 4 or later). For now, Washington will host the Giants on Thursday in Week 2, likely starting Heinicke at QB and Brown as the No. 2 wideout.

Humphries caught both of his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Chargers

Humphries played 60 percent of snaps on offense, working as the No. 3 receiver behind Terry McLaurin (100 percent) and Dyami Brown (93 percent). The three combined for only 10 targets, with Washington attempting 21 passes in a game where QB Ryan Fitzpatrick left early due to a hip injury. Humphries figures to handle the same slot role in three-wide sets Thursday night against the Giants, this time with Taylor Heinicke as the starting quarterback for Washington. Once Curtis Samuel (groin) returns from IR -- no sooner than Week 4 -- playing time could be harder to come by for Humphries.

Byrd caught three passes for 19 yards in the Bears' 34-14 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Although he saw just three targets, Byrd played on 52 percent of the snaps, which placed him ahead of Marquise Goodwin (38 percent) in their battle for the third receiver spot. With the Bears offense unable to get much going in the passing game against a tough Rams defense, Byrd's receptions all went for short yardage. However, if he continues to see the same percentage of snaps going forward, he could be a useful depth option in fantasy leagues.