NFL Player News
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Brian Thomas Jr. WR | JAC
Jaguars' Brian Thomas: Starts clicking with Lawrence
Thomas secured eight of 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' 20-12 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday.
Thomas led the Jaguars' pass catchers across the board in receptions, receiving yards and targets, one-upping the then season-best 80-yard effort he'd posted against the Chiefs on Monday night. The second-year wideout also scored his long-awaited first touchdown of the campaign via a 21-yard grab late in the first quarter that opened the scoring on the afternoon. Thomas has started to find some equilibrium in his production over the last three games, and he'll aim to extend the momentum in a Week 7 matchup against the Rams in London.
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Gage Larvadain WR | CLE
Browns' Gage Larvadain: Enters concussion protocol
Larvadain was diagnosed with a concussion following the Browns' 23-9 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Larvadain took a hit to the head from DeShon Elliott during the second half of Sunday's game. Larvadain will now enter the league's five-step concussion protocol, and he'll have to be be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play in Week 7 against the Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 19. Isaiah Bond would be in line to serve as the Browns' primary punt returner if Larvadain misses time.
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Ladd McConkey WR | LAC
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Catch-and-run crucial in win
McConkey caught seven of his nine targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in the 29-27 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
McConkey's 42-yard reception on the final possession with under a minute to go was the catalyst for the game-winning field goal just three plays later, but the second-year wideout benefitted significantly in the absence of Quentin Johnston (hamstring) by leading the team in receiving yards, targets and receptions for the first time this season. This kind of workload could be the status quo for the foreseeable future as Los Angeles struggles to deal with a litany of injuries, whether to rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle), Johnston or a bevy of injured offensive lineman.
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Calvin Ridley WR | TEN
Titans' Calvin Ridley: Hurts hamstring Sunday
Ridley exited Sunday's game against the Raiders with a hamstring injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Before leaving the contest, Ridley caught his only target for 18 yards. While he's sidelined, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson will handle the Titans' WR duties versus Las Vegas.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR | SEA
Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Continues prolific efforts in win
Smith-Njigba secured eight of 13 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks' 20-12 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Smith-Njigba was in the familiar position of leading the Seahawks' air attack in receptions, receiving yards and targets, posting a new season high in the middle category along the way. His catch total also tied for second highest of the season, and he added three more grabs of 20-plus yards, the most prominent a 61-yard touchdown on a beautifully thrown ball from QB Sam Darnold. The third-year star now has back-to-back 100-yard tallies for the second time this season and takes a robust 42-696-3 receiving line into a Week 7 home matchup against the Texans on Monday night, Oct. 20.
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Puka Nacua WR | LAR
Rams' Puka Nacua: Week 7 status up in air
Coach Sean McVay said Nacua suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 17-3 win at Baltimore, and the wide receiver's status for next Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London is unknown, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Nacua initially sustained the injury with about 10 minutes left in the second quarter after he had his left foot rolled up on while attempting to break up a jump ball in the end zone. After going to the locker room, the Rams deemed him questionable to return, but he was able to check back in on the team's second possession after halftime. However, Nacua wasn't able to add to his first-half line (2-28-0 on three targets) after his return. L.A. will resume practicing Wednesday, by which point the Rams could have more clarity on the nature and severity of Nacua's ankle issue.
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Gage Larvadain WR | CLE
Browns' Gage Larvadain: Questionable to return
Larvadain (head) is questionable to return to Cleveland's matchup versus the Steelers on Sunday.
Larvadain exited the game after taking a big hit from DeShon Elliott. If Larvadain can't return, Jamari Thrash and Malachi Corley should see increased playing time for the remainder of the game.
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Emeka Egbuka WR | TB
Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka: Taking on No. 1 receiver duties
Egbuka is set to serve as the Buccaneers' No. 1 receiver in Sunday's game against the 49ers due to Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) being ruled inactive for the contest, per Scott Smith of the team's official site.
The star rookie has already been one of the league's most productive receivers throughout his first five NFL games while playing each without either Evans or Godwin on the field. With both veteran wideouts sidelined Sunday, the Ohio State product will officially assume the role of No. 1 receiver for the first time in his nascent career, where he'll look to improve on the per-game averages of 5.0 receptions, 89.0 receiving yards and 7.6 targets he's generated thus far this season.
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Jauan Jennings WR | SF
49ers' Jauan Jennings: Back in action Sunday
Jennings (ankle/rib) is listed as active Sunday at Tampa Bay, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Jennings sat out a Week 5 win at the Rams due to the rib injury that he picked up during a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. He managed to log limited sessions Thursday and Friday before the 49ers tagged him as questionable for Week 6 action. With his status now confirmed for Sunday's game, Jennings will return to a San Francisco offense that's without notables like QB Brock Purdy (toe, inactive), TE George Kittle (hamstring, IR) and Ricky Pearsall (knee, inactive). As a result, Jennings should slot in as one of QB Mac Jones' (knee) top targets along with RB Christian McCaffrey, WRs Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson and TE Jake Tonges.
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Sterling Shepard WR | TB
Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Set for No. 2 duties Sunday
Shepard is set to operate as the Buccaneers' No. 2 receiver in Sunday's game against the 49ers due to Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) both being ruled inactive for the contest, per Scott Smith of the team's official site.
Shepard warmed up for his projected expanded role by recording his first touchdown since Week 5 of last season in last Sunday's win over the Seahawks. The veteran has remained healthy over his season-plus in Tampa Bay and shown he still has plenty to offer in the process, and he'll enter Sunday's matchup against the 49ers with a 17-191-1 line on 24 targets.