NFL Player News

Valdes-Scantling will start for the inactive Geronimo Allison (hamstring/groin) during Sunday's game in New England, the Packers' official site reports.

Injuries to Randall Cobb and Allison have allowed Valdes-Scantling to burst onto the scene over the last four games. During that stretch, Valdes-Scantling has hauled in 13 of 25 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie's big-play ability has been on display as well, with four receptions of 20-plus yards and two of 40 or more yards en route to 19.5 YPC. On Sunday, Valdes-Scantling will be working in three-wide receiver sets with Davante Adams and Cobb against a Patriots defense that has given up 7.4 YPT and nine touchdowns to wideouts in eight contests this season.

Cobb (hamstring) is listed as active Sunday at New England, the Packers' official site reports.

After following a limited/limited/full practice regimen during the week, Cobb was more or less in line to suit up in spite of a questionable tag. With fellow wideout Geronimo Allison (hamstring/groin) out of commission, Cobb should find offensive snaps easier to come by than last Sunday in LA. Working with Davante Adams, Cobb and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be the other preferred options in three-wide sets. Beyond that trio, rookie reserves Equanimeous St. Brown and J'Mon Moore shouldn't challenge for many reps, barring injuries.

Crabtree caught three of seven targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has had Crabtree's number this year, as he managed only three catches for a season-low 29 yards against the Steelers in Week 4. Luckily for Crabtree's owners, these AFC North rivals won't meet again this season barring a possible playoff matchup. After scoring at least eight touchdowns in each of the previous three seasons, the veteran wide receiver heads into Baltimore's Week 10 bye having made just two trips to the end zone.

Snead caught seven of eight targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Steelers.

Snead led the Ravens in targets, catches and receiving yards. The slot receiver has established some nice PPR value heading into Baltimore's Week 10 bye, having eclipsed five catches for 50 yards in five of the past six weeks. Snead's ceiling is capped, however: His season high in yardage is 60, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1.

Washington caught two of five targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 23-16 win over Baltimore.

A healthy scratch in Week 8, Washington returned to action but didn't contribute much despite the five targets, which matched his highest single-game total. The receptions were his first since Week 4 -- also against Baltimore -- giving him seven for 66 yards and a touchdown on the season. Expect a similar performance against a tough Carolina defense Thursday in Week 10.

Ridley caught six of nine passes for 71 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 38-14 win over Washington. He added a 6-yard run.

The rookie first-rounder scored six touchdowns during the first four games of the season, so fans could be forgiven for being puzzled as to why the young stud went scoreless in three straight games with just 128 total yards during that span. He got back on track in the final seconds of the first half, settling over the middle and then chugging up the field for a 40-yard score. Ridley has been targeted at least five times in six of his last seven games. With his big-play ability, the production should come -- just maybe not next Sunday against Cleveland, one of the league's better pass defenses.

Samuel secured two of four targets for 25 yards and a touchdown and added a 33-yard rushing score in a 42-28 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

There was plenty of talk about D.J. Moore in fantasy circles this week, but it was Samuel who came up big with a pair of scores Sunday. The 2017 second-round pick first scored on a meandering 33-yard run through the Buccaneers' tackling-challenged defense before adding a 19-yard receiving touchdown to close out the scoring on the day in the fourth quarter. It was Samuel's second receiving score of the day and fourth overall on the season, and he encouragingly tied a season high with four targets. He'll look to boost his numbers against the Steelers in a Week 10 Thursday night matchup.

Jones caught six of eight targets for a team-high 66 yards in Sunday's 24-9 loss to Minnesota.

Jones has topped 60 receiving yards in back-to-back weeks after exceeding that mark only once in his first six games. With Golden Tate now plying his trade in Philadelphia after a trade deadline deal, Jones and Kenny Golladay should both see increased roles in Detroit's passing game against the Bears in Week 10 and beyond.

Moore brought in one of two targets for 16 yards, added 32 rushing yards on his sole carry and fumbled once in the Panthers' 42-28 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Big things were anticipated from Moore in his second straight start in place of Torrey Smith (knee), but he provided only modest production. The rookie surprisingly was targeted just twice, as Cam Newton focused heavily on both Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen in the passing game. Moore will look to bounce back with a more productive performance in a Week 10 Thursday night battle against the Steelers, a game that Smith may be hard-pressed to be ready for.

Evans brought in one of 10 targets for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 42-28 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Evans' atrocious catch rate led to a highly frustrating afternoon for the Pro Bowl wideout, who'd also dealt with a knee issue throughout the practice week. He simply couldn't get on the same page with Ryan Fitzpatrick, leading to his worst game of the season by far. The fifth-year receiver did pace the team in targets, so there continues to be no shortage of opportunities for him to succeed. Given his previous body of work this season, it's likely safe to chalk up this performance as an outlier he'll look to bounce back from Week 10 against the Redskins.