NFL Player News

Hodge (hamstring) will sit out Friday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The 25-year-old missed Week 13 due to the hamstring injury and has yet to practice this week. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Hodge is "progressing," but the wideout may need to practice in some capacity Saturday to have a chance of suiting up Monday against the Ravens.

Samuel (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and is practicing Friday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old landed on the COVID list Monday, but he apparently tested negative for the virus all week and was able to make a quick return to the active roster. Fellow wideout DJ Moore (ankle) remains on the COVID list for now, and Samuel could have a larger role Sunday versus Denver should Moore be unavailable.

Evans (hamstring) was spotted on the practice field with a helmet Friday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was unable to practice Thursday, but it appears he'll be participating at Friday's session in some capacity. Evans may need to put in a full practice to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's matchup with the Vikings. Fellow wideout Chris Godwin (finger) also sat out practice to begin the week, but he had no limitations at Thursday's session.

Crowder (calf) is expected to be questionable for Sunday's game at Seattle, but he'll be evaluated at practice Friday, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

The 27-year-old was added to the injury report with the calf issue Thursday, though he still practiced as a limited participant. Denzel Mims (personal) already has been ruled out for Sunday and Breshad Perriman (shoulder) is also banged up, so the Jets' receiving corps could be in dire straits this weekend. Given the recency of the injury, Crowder could end up being a game-time decision for Week 14.

Jefferson didn't receive a target on 19 offensive snaps during Thursday's 24-3 win over New England.

The Rams ran for 186 yards and were especially effective in 12 personnel against the Patriots on Thursday, so quarterback Jared Goff didn't need to attack through the air often. As a result, there weren't many opportunities for Jefferson. The rookie was more involved last week with four receptions and 40 offensive snaps, but the game script didn't work in his favor this week. Additionally, it was discouraging to see fourth-year receiver Josh Reynolds play more than Jefferson on Thursday, especially considering the latter probably is the more talented receiver. The only silver lining is that rookie running back Cam Akers -- and fellow 2020 second-round pick -- put it all together with a breakout showing (194 yards from scrimmage), and coach Sean McVay might consider seeing what his other prized rookie can contribute to the offense with the Rams building momentum for the postseason. Taking a wait-and-see approach with Jefferson is still advised in the majority of seasonal fantasy settings, though.

Reynolds made a six-yard reception during Thursday's 24-3 win over New England. He played 35 offensive snaps and was targeted twice.

Reynolds dropped an accurate pass from quarterback Jared Goff in the second quarter before securing his only other target with Los Angeles up, 17-3, in the third frame. The Rams went on to score during the same drive, and then Goff only attempted three passes in the fourth quarter. Reynolds has been limited to just two receptions for 27 yards over the past two weeks, and with L.A. rushing effectively in 12 personnel during the noted stretch, the fourth-year receiver's targets and snaps could remain low. His fantasy value is trending in the wrong direction.

Meyers brought in four of five targets for 47 yards in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

The second-year wideout managed to put together a serviceable night relative to opportunity, recording multiple receptions for the eighth straight contest. Meyers hasn't come close to matching the career-best 12 receptions and 169 yards he generated versus the Jets in Week 9, but he's posted a 19-211 line on 27 targets in the subsequent five contests, acceptable numbers considering how erratic Cam Newton's play has been under center. With Jarrett Stidham replacing Newton late in Thursday night's game, it remains to be seen if Meyers will be catching passes from a different quarterback in a Week 15 divisional battle against the Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Woods secured five of eight targets for 32 yards in the Rams' 24-3 win over the Patriots on Thursday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on one carry.

With Jared Goff throwing for just 137 yards on 25 pass attempts, Woods unsurprisingly had one of his quieter games of the campaign. The veteran receiver did tie Cooper Kupp for the team lead in receptions, but he checked in under the 40-yard mark for the sixth time in 13 games. Woods certainly has the talent to bounce back in any given week, however, and a Week 15 matchup against the vulnerable Jets secondary on Sunday, Dec. 20 could well prompt one of his stronger fantasy performances.

Byrd brought in five of eight targets for 48 yards in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

The speedster was able to muster a serviceable fantasy line from a PPR perspective, pacing the Patriots in receptions while checking in just a yard short of N'Keal Harry for tops in that category. Like the rest of New England's pass catchers, Byrd's consistency has suffered with an erratic Cam Newton under center, with the fifth-year wideout accumulating under 50 receiving yards in four of the last five games, including a catch-less effort across 42 snaps in Week 10 against the Ravens. However, there could be a quarterback change afoot if Jarrett Stidham's late-game appearance in place of an ineffective Newton on Thursday is any indication, and it remains to be seen if that would improve Byrd's fortunes over the last three games of the campaign were it come to pass.

Harry brought in three of four targets for 49 yards in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

Harry paced the Patriots in receiving yardage, but on a night when Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham threw for only 146 yards overall, that didn't amount to a notable figure. The second-year wideout's yardage tally was his best since Week 2, but the fact Harry also has a pair of catch-less efforts in his last five games underscores how unreliable his production can be. However, with Jarrett Stidham having replaced an ineffective Cam Newton late in Thursday night's loss, the possibility exists that Harry gains a more accurate passer for a Week 15 matchup versus the Dolphins on Dec. 20.