NFL Player News

James ripped off an 81-yard kickoff return but did not receive a target on offense in Saturday's 34-31 win over the Rams.

James made his mark on special teams with a season-high 81-yard kickoff return on the 49ers' first drive of the game. The second-year wideout continues to serve as the team's fourth receiver, averaging 7.4 offensive snaps but receiving no targets over his last five contests. In fact, he has just six catches on the season, but has gained 165 yards (27.5 yards per reception) with those limited touches. James can't be relied upon in his current role heading into the final week of the regular season.

Bourne had two catches (three targets) for 29 yards in Saturday's 34-31 win over the Rams.

Bourne didn't have a strong fantasy day, but his 16-yard reception on a crucial third-and-16 on the game's final drive helped propel the 49ers to victory. The 24-year-old has taken a stranglehold of the third spot on the wide receiver depth chart, although that role in San Francisco's offense doesn't provide much in terms of volume. Bourne will need to find the end zone -- like he did against Seattle back in Week 10 -- in order to have fantasy value Sunday against the Seahawks.

Samuel caught two of five passes for 17 yards during Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Colts. He added four yards on two carries.

It would be easy to blame Sunday's poor outing on rookie Will Grier's first career start, but Samuel has been held to under 40 yards receiving in six of his last seven games. Samuel might get some more attention in the season finale against the Saints depending on the health of lead receiver D.J. Moore, who left Sunday's game with a concussion. In Week 12's game against the Saints, Samuel caught just one pass for nine yards but added 40 yards on the ground. It will be up to Grier to help Samuel improve on those numbers.

Gage hauled in five of six targets for 49 yards and ran for seven yards on two carries during Sunday's 24-12 win against Jacksonville.

The second-year man out of LSU has been a steady contributor in Atlanta's passing game over the past month, as he has amassed at least five receptions in four of five appearances since Week 12. Gage has been efficient with opportunities granted during that span, establishing an impressive 71.4 percent catch rate with 46.8 scrimmage yards per game. He'll continue to be a secondary option for Matt Ryan when the Falcons take on a Buccaneers defense Week 17 that ranks 32nd in the NFL in both receptions (222) and receiving yards (2,970) allowed to opposing wideouts.

McLaurin caught seven of nine targets for 86 yards during Sunday's 41-35 loss to the Giants.

McLaurin finished second on the team in targets while pacing the group in receptions and receiving yards. He broke off a long gain of 34 yards and thrived even though Case Keenum split time under center with Dwayne Haskins. McLaurin is now over 900 receiving yards for the season and will look to cap an impressive rookie campaign next Sunday against a beatable Eagles pass defense.

Boyd, who left the game late due to an injury, secured nine of 15 targets for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals' 38-35 overtime loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Boyd paced the Bengals in receptions, receiving yardage and targets for the day, even as he exited the game with an undisclosed injury with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. The 100-yard effort was his fourth of the season and left him just 13 yards short of a second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. The fifth-year receiver also now has a career-high 85 grabs, as he's been the clear top option with A.J. Green (ankle) missing the entirety of the season and John Ross a good chunk of it with a shoulder issue. Boyd will look to put a fitting end to his breakout campaign at the expense of the Browns in Week 17.

Washington caught five of eight targets for 41 yards in Pittsburgh's 16-10 loss Sunday.

Washington's performance was slightly below his average of 53 yards receiving per game entering the contest. He missed out on a chance for a big game -- and possibly the win -- when Jets safety Marcus Maye broke up what would have been a 44-yard touchdown on Pittsburgh's final drive. The loss has Pittsburgh on the outside looking in on the playoff picture heading into a Week 17 must-win game against Baltimore.

Parker secured five of 15 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' 38-35 overtime win against the Bengals on Sunday.

Parker paced the Dolphins in receiving yardage and targets on the afternoon, with the 100-yard performance vaulting him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season for the first time in his career. It was also Parker's third time eclipsing the century mark in the last six contests, while his seven-yard scoring grab in the first quarter was his fifth over the last four games alone. Parker's breakout campaign is emblematic of the unusual transition season it's been for Miami, but his fantasy managers certainly aren't complaining. Parker will look to meet the formidable challenge of producing against the Patriots defense in a Week 17 road divisional battle.

Crowder caught four of eight targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 16-10 win over Pittsburgh.

Crowder came back down to earth after last week's 90-yard, two-touchdown effort against the Ravens, but he still led the Jets in receiving yards here. The slot receiver has topped 60 yards in five of his past eight games, building some momentum in the second half of the season ahead of the Week 17 finale in Buffalo.

Anderson (illness) caught two of four targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-10 win over the Steelers.

Anderson needed every inch of his 6-foot-3 frame to snag a high throw in the end zone between two defenders for a 23-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The speedy wideout didn't do much after that, but he now has four touchdowns in his last six games ahead of a Week 17 trip to Buffalo.