NFL Player News
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Arian Smith WR | NYJ
Jets' Arian Smith: Goes without catch in Week 6
Smith didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 13-11 loss to the Broncos.
Smith had one deep ball thrown his way, but Justin Fields failed to connect with the rookie speedster. That wasn't a surprising outcome considering Fields threw for only 45 yards in the game. Smith could get more involved in the offense against the Panthers in Week 7 if Garrett Wilson (knee) sits out or is limited.
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Ashton Dulin WR | IND
Colts' Ashton Dulin: Moves to bench role in win
Dulin had two kick returns for an average of 29.5 yards in Sunday's win over Arizona. He played just one snap on offense.
Dulin had five targets and two receptions for 55 yards the previous week against Las Vegas, but moved back to a bench role with Alec Pierce returning from a concussion. Dulin is a key player on special teams but could still be used as a fourth receiver, as he may have moved ahead of Adonai Mitchell on the depth chart. Mitchell was a healthy inactive for Sunday's game.
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Tyler Johnson WR | NYJ
Jets' Tyler Johnson: Blanked in Week 6
Johnson didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 13-11 loss to the Broncos.
Justin Fields threw for just 45 yards, so Johnson unsurprisingly failed to get involved in the low-scoring loss. Even if Garrett Wilson (knee) were to sit out Week 7 against the Panthers, Johnson's upside would be capped due to Fields' struggles throwing the ball.
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Puka Nacua WR | LAR
Rams' Puka Nacua: Called day-to-day by coach
Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua (ankle) is "day-to-day," Tyler Dragon of USA Today reports.
The star wideout suffered a left ankle sprain during Sunday's 17-3 win at Baltimore, but Nacua being described in such a manner by McVay is a touch more optimistic than a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that suggested he's set to miss time. Nacua's status appears uncertain at best for Los Angeles' matchup against the Jaguars in London in Week 7, and a Week 8 bye could nudge the team in the direction of caution. McVay hasn't ruled Nacua out yet for this coming Sunday's game, Dragon confirms, so final clarity on his status likely won't arrive until the Rams have had a chance to evaluate him at practice. Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports that scans have indicated Nacua isn't dealing with a long-term injury.
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Roman Wilson WR | PIT
Steelers' Roman Wilson: Logs one reception in victory
Wilson secured his lone target for 12 yards during Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns.
Wilson was on the field for 15 offensive snaps Sunday, which was his highest mark since the Steelers' Week 2 loss to Seattle. Part of his uptick in playing time was likely due to Calvin Austin (shoulder) being sidelined. Although Wilson had a catch while racking up double-digit receiving yards for the first time this season, he has minimal fantasy value, even if Austin misses more time.
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Ben Skowronek WR | PIT
Steelers' Ben Skowronek: Not targeted against Cleveland
Skowronek wasn't targeted during Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns.
Although Calvin Austin (shoulder) was sidelined for Pittsburgh's Week 6 matchup Sunday, Skowronek played most of his snaps on special teams and wasn't involved in the passing game. Skowronek has been targeted just once over the Steelers' last four games, and he has minimal fantasy value, even if Austin is forced to miss more time.
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Kyle Williams WR | NE
Patriots' Kyle Williams: Logs 14 snaps on offense Sunday
Williams recorded 14 of 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-19 win over the Saints, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The rookie wideout didn't record a catch despite being targeted twice. Through six games, Williams has caught just two passes on four targets for 20 yards, and while his role could grow as the season progresses, for now he remains behind Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas in the Patriots' WR pecking order.
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Nick Westbrook-Ikhine WR | MIA
Dolphins' Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: Remains a non-factor
Westbrook-Ikhine failed to secure his only target during Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Chargers.
Westbrook-Ikhine played a 37 percent of offensive snaps versus Los Angeles, but he finished with zero receiving yards for the third time in his last four appearances. Even with Tyreek Hill (IR, knee) out for the year, Westbrook-Ikhineappears to still be an afterthought on offense for the Dolphins, with all of Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, tight end Darren Waller and running back De'Von Achane clearly positioned above him. Westbrook-Ikhine figures to remain in a reserve role on the road against Cleveland in Week 7.
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Emeka Egbuka WR | TB
Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka: Status for Week 7 uncertain
Egbuka (hamstring) is expected to miss time due to the hamstring injury that forced him out of Sunday's 30-19 win over the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Egbuka secured two of four targets for 24 yards before being forced out Sunday, a contest in which the Buccaneers were missing Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula), as well as top running back Bucky Irving (shoulder). It would be a significant blow for the offense if Egbuka is unable to return for a road Monday Night Football matchup against the Lions in Week 7, as the rookie phenom has racked up a 25-445-5 line on 38 targets. With Egbuka, Evans and Godwin all uncertain to play, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson and tight end Cade Otton could be positioned as Baker Mayfield's top receiving options versus Detroit.
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Malik Washington WR | MIA
Dolphins' Malik Washington: Draws five targets again
Washington secured four of five targets for 22 yards and carried the ball once for one yard during Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Chargers.
Washington remains consistently involved on offense, having drawn five targets in four of his six regular-season appearances to begin the year, and he's also been involved as a ball-carrier in all but one game. That said, Washington hasn't done much with those opportunities, as he's yet to score or log a 50-yard performance on offense this season. He'll have a difficult task improving his efficiency on the road against a stingy Browns defense in Week 7. In fantasy formats that reward production on special teams, however, Washington carries sneaky upside, as he racked up 153 yards on five kickoff returns versus Los Angeles.