NFL Player News

Higgins brought in three of six targets for 32 yards in the Bengals' 28-3 loss to the Broncos on Monday night.

Higgins led the Bengals in receiving yards, but considering Jake Browning threw for just 125 yards, it was still a very quiet night for the talented receiver. Higgins has put together an underwhelming first four games overall, as he has a 10-136-1 line on 20 targets in his first four games, including a three-catch, 33-yard effort against the Browns in Week 1, the one full game he played with Joe Burrow (IR, toe). With Browning averaging just 5.1 yards per attempt in his first two starts and Brett Rypien the only other healthy option on the QB depth chart, Higgins' fantasy outlook remains depressed heading into a Week 5 home matchup against the Lions.

Franklin brought in four of eight targets for 55 yards in Monday's 28-3 victory over the Bengals.

Franklin rebounded from last week's stinker (2-8-0) with his second-highest yardage total through four games. The 22-year-old's eight targets paced Denver's receiving corps, but drops were an issue after finishing with a 50 percent catch rate. Franklin has flashed upside with a 18-196-1 line as a second-year pro, but his Week 5 fantasy value should be limited to deeper formats against the Eagles on Sunday.

Vele accrued zero targets during Sunday's 31-19 loss versus the Bills.

Vele missed the Saints' Week 3 loss to Seattle with a hip injury, and he was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Buffalo. The 27-year-old played just four offensive snaps after he logged 17 in Week 1 and 24 in Week 2. Vele will look for more usage during the Week 5 contest versus the Giants on Sunday, Oct. 5, but his fantasy value will remain extremely minimal so long as Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson and Brandin Cooks are healthy.

Chase secured five of eight targets for 23 yards in the Bengals' 28-3 loss to the Broncos on Monday night.

Chase led the Bengals in receptions, but on a night when Jake Browning threw for only 125 yards, that slotting didn't come close to leading to any meaningful fantasy production. Chase has recorded 10 receptions in his first two full games with Browning as his quarterback, but he's averaging only 7.3 yards per reception in that span, with only one of those catches going for 20-plus yards. If Browning remains under center for a Week 5 home matchup against the Lions, Chase will be hard to trust against a talented Detroit defense irrespective of his upside.

Cooks hauled in three of four targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 31-19 defeat versus the Bills.

Cooks nearly caught his second touchdown of the season on a 17-yard strike into the end zone from quarterback Spencer Rattler, but the call was reversed upon official review, which determined the 32-year-old wideout didn't maintain control through the ground. Cooks has put up almost the exact same stat line through each of the first four games this season, averaging 2.8 catches (on 3.8 targets) for 24.5 yards. His role as a WR3 in the Saints' struggling offense won't yield him much value aside from the deepest PPR leagues. Cooks should continue to operate behind wideout Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed during the Week 5 matchup versus the Giants.

Sutton finished with five receptions (on six targets) for 81 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 28-3 win over the Bengals.

Sutton stayed hot with his second trip to the end zone in as many weeks while pacing the Broncos in receiving yards on Monday Night Football. The one-catch dud in Week 2 is proving to be an anomaly after the veteran wideout posted WR1 numbers in his three other starts this year. Expect Sutton to continue operating as QB Bo Nix's favorite target in a road matchup against the Eagles on Sunday.

Shaheed recorded four receptions (on five targets) for 47 yards during Sunday's 31-19 defeat versus the Bills. He added two rushing attempts for five yards.

Shaheed caught exactly four passes for the third week in a row. He tied for second on the Saints in targets Sunday, and he's now logged between five and six targets in each of the last three contests. The 26-year-old speedster has just one catch over 20 yards so far this season, but his consistent target share provides a solid floor for deeper leagues in PPR formats. Shaheed will look to maintain his WR2 role behind Chris Olave during New Orleans' next game versus the Giants on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Hill dislocated his left knee in the third quarter of Monday's win over the Jets, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill suffered the injury early in the third quarter and was carted off the field, surrounded by his teammates. He'll stay in the hospital overnight for further evaluation. Hill will be sidelined for the rest of the season, with a shift to injured reserve likely coming in the next few days.

Wilson hauled in six of eight targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 27-21 loss to Miami.

Wilson welcomed back QB Justin Fields (concussion) with open arms after the duo connected in the end zone for the second time this season (third overall for Wilson). The star wideout scored in spectacular fashion when he caught a high-point pass through a defender's arm while barely dragging both of his feet in bounds. He did have a second potential score erased by an offensive pass interference penalty. Wilson is now up to 311 yards and three touchdowns through four starts as the Jets continue to force feed him the ball in failed comeback attempts. Fantasy managers should treat the Ohio State product as a WR1 in another soft matchup versus the Cowboys on Sunday.

Waddle secured three of six targets for 48 yards in the Dolphins' 27-21 win over the Jets on Monday night.

Waddle finished tied for second in receptions and targets and as the runner-up in receiving yards on the night, but the bigger story is the 2021 first-round pick's projected expanded role moving forward. Tyreek Hill suffered what is being termed as a dislocated knee in the third quarter, meaning his season is almost certainly over. Consequently, Waddle, who posted a spectacular 104-1,015-6 line on 141 targets over 16 games back in his rookie 2021 campaign with Hill still on the Chiefs' roster, should elevate to the role of Tua Tagovailoa's top target moving forward. Waddle has yet to top five catches and 68 yards in a game this season, but it should only be a matter of time before he sets new single-game highs, perhaps as soon as a Week 5 road matchup against the Panthers.