NFL Player News

Horton didn't catch any of his three targets in Monday's 27-19 win over the Texans. He returned five punts for 67 yards.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the charge once again with eight catches on 14 targets for 123 yards and a touchdown, leaving little for the rest of Seattle's wideouts. Horton has yet to reach 40 receiving yards in a game, and his snap count remains below the 50-percent threshold due to the Seahawks' commitment to two tight-end sets. However, he ranks third in the league with 14.9 yards per punt return, and he retains some intriguing dynasty value.

The Cowboys activated Mingo (knee) from injured reserve Tuesday.

Though Mingo closed this past week as a full practice participant, the Cowboys chose not to activate him from IR ahead of Sunday's eventual 44-22 win over the Commanders. The wideout looks to be fully recovered from the PCL sprain of his right knee he sustained in an Aug. 16 preseason game, and with his 21-day evaluation window nearing its end, the Cowboys have now added him back to the 53-man roster. Mingo should be available for this Sunday's game in Denver, but it's not clear if the Cowboys will make him active for the contest with fellow wideouts CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin having recently returned from multi-game absences due to injury.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that McLaurin (quadriceps) is on track to practice this week, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McLaurin was listed as a limited participant in practice last Wednesday, then was held out of sessions Thursday and Friday before being ruled out for a fourth straight game in this past Sunday's 44-22 loss to the Cowboys. The wideout looks like he'll be ready to return to the field in some fashion when the Commanders kick off Week 8 prep Thursday. Washington could get both of its top wideouts back this week, as Quinn added that Deebo Samuel is also on track to resume practicing after sitting out the loss to Dallas with a bruised heel.

The Falcons released McCloud on Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

McCloud's dismissal comes after Atlanta made him a healthy inactive for each of its last two games. Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris initially said that McCloud's inactive status for the team's Week 6 win over Buffalo was a "coach's decision," but the veteran wideout/return man didn't end up practicing at any point in Week 7 after being sent home from team facilities. Morris didn't go into any specifics regarding any potential friction between McCloud and the team, but the 29-year-old will now get the chance to pursue a fresh start elsewhere. Given his ample NFL experience as a depth receiver and on punt and kickoff returns, McCloud shouldn't have much trouble finding an opportunity with another organization, either as a member of the 53-man roster or practice squad.

Franklin caught three of 10 targets for 19 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 33-32 win over the Giants.

Franklin finished the contest tied for the team lead in targets with fellow wideout Courtland Sutton, with the 10 targets being a season high for the 22-year-old. Despite the increased involvement, Franklin struggled to connect with quarterback Bo Nix, and his touchdown early in the fourth quarter was actually a tipped pass intended for Sutton that Franklin was able secure in the back of the end zone. The Oregon product has been mostly underwhelming as a fantasy option for the past month, but his role as Denver's No. 2 wide receiver has earned him 46 targets through seven games. As long as he continues to see that kind of volume, Franklin will at least be a viable option for fantasy managers dealing with bye weeks. Next up for the Broncos is a home matchup against the Cowboys and their struggling pass defense.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he's "optimistic" that Austin (shoulder) will be able to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Austin has missed the Steelers' last two games with a shoulder injury, but Tomlin noted that the wideout has made enough progress in his recovery to be integrated back into practices this week. The extent of Austin's participation in practice will ultimately dictate whether he plays Sunday, but if the 26-year-old is able to turn in at least one full session by Friday, he'll have good odds of gaining clearance to suit up. Through four appearances this season, Austin has recorded 10 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets.

Sills didn't record a target across 28 offensive snaps during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers.

Despite playing 74 offensive snaps over the past three games, Sills hasn't garnered a single target. The only time he's made a dent in the box score came during Week 3, when he caught one of two targets for nine yards across 25 offensive snaps against the Panthers.

Washington caught one of two targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers.

Washington played a season-low 11 offensive snaps Sunday, fourth most among Atlanta's wideouts. He's garnered multiple targets in every game he's suited up for this season, but his only multi-catch game came in Week 1, when he secured three of six receptions for 33 yards against Tampa Bay.

Thornton reeled in one of his two targets for 39 yards during Sunday's 31-0 victory over the Raiders.

Despite a strong start to the season in which Thornton turned in three touchdowns in the first four weeks, he has seen his playing time fall off from Week 4 on, as he's played less than half of the offensive snaps in each of the past four contests. With Rashee Rice back in the mix for Kansas City, the Chiefs don't have as much playing time to go around in the wideout room, so it's unlikely Thornton will see his role grow unless injuries hit the position group.

Bachman returned one punt for six yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Chiefs.

Bachman battled back from an ankle injury earlier in the week to suit up as the Raiders' punt returner Sunday, though he was mostly uninvolved as a receiver, logging just two offensive snaps despite Jakobi Meyers' (knee) absence. Heading into the Week 8 bye, Bachman has totaled just one reception for nine yards on two targets across six games played.