NFL Player News
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Jahdae Walker WR | CHI
Bears' Jahdae Walker: Expanded role continues
Walker caught two of three targets for 30 yards in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.
Walker played extended snaps with Rome Odunze (foot) and Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) sidelined, finishing with three targets for the second straight contest. He has now caught four passes on six targets over his last two games, accounting for all of his offensive production this season. As long as multiple receivers remain out, he profiles as a low-volume depth option tied to opportunity rather than consistent usage.
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Alec Pierce WR | IND
Colts' Alec Pierce: Silent on five targets
Pierce didn't record a catch on five targets in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Pierce tied for second on the team with five targets, though he was unable to convert any into receptions. It marked the first time this season that he has been held without a catch, and his inability to get on the same page with Philip Rivers was particularly noteworthy considering the duo connected for a pair of scores in Week 16. Pierce has already set a career high in receptions and yards this season, though this performance will likely cost him a chance at 1,000 receiving yards heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Texans.
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Josh Downs WR | IND
Colts' Josh Downs: Slowed by Jags
Downs recorded two receptions on five targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Downs tied for second on the team in targets, though Philip Rivers continued to spread opportunity evenly among his pass catchers. While he didn't convert his targets into receptions efficiently, Downs did manage to turn in long catches of 18 and 16 yards. He now has at least five targets in six consecutive games, though target allocation could change in Week 18 against the Texans if the Colts turn to Riley Leonard at quarterback now that they have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
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Jerry Jeudy WR | CLE
Browns' Jerry Jeudy: Five catches in win
Jeudy recorded five receptions on seven targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers.
Jeudy benefited from the early departure of Harold Fannin (groin) and finally displayed some rapport with Shadeuer Sanders. Jeudy earned seven targets -- his highest mark since Week 11 -- and delivered four receptions of at least 10 yards. As a result, he was able to surpass 50 receiving yards for only the second time in Sanders' six starts.
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DeVonta Smith WR | PHI
Eagles' DeVonta Smith: Gains 25 yards Sunday
Smith had two receptions on five targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Bills.
QB Jalen Hurts completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts in wet conditions in Buffalo, resulting in muted volume from Philadelphia's key offensive contributors. Smith was affected the greatest after finishing with his lowest fantasy score since a one-catch effort against Detroit in Week 11. The 26-year-old is still providing solid value for PPR fantasy managers following Sunday's dud with a 74-956-4 receiving line across 16 starts this season. Smith needs to finish with at least 44 receiving yards against the Commanders in Week 18 in order to record the third 1,000-yard season of his promising career.
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Khalil Shakir WR | BUF
Bills' Khalil Shakir: Solid PPR effort against PHI
Shakir finished with six receptions on seven targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Eagles.
Shakir led all Buffalo receivers in targets and receptions Sunday, but a lack of explosive plays resulted in the wideout finishing third on the team in yardage. Veteran teammate Brandin Cooks (4-101-0) surprisingly finished as the team's leading receiver while WR Keon Coleman remained a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Shakir has provided value in PPR formats with 72 receptions through 16 starts, but his 719 receiving yards and four touchdowns leave much to be desired as a starting option in standard fantasy leagues.
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Brandin Cooks WR | BUF
Bills' Brandin Cooks: Breaks out for 101 yards in Week 17
Cooks corralled four of six targets for 101 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Eagles.
Cooks broke out in a big way after being held to one catch on five targets over his first four appearances with the Bills. The veteran wideout tallied his first 100-yard game since he was a member of the Cowboys back in 2023. Cooks finished behind only WR Khalil Shakir (6-35-0) for Buffalo in terms of targets and receptions in a game that starting TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) missed and WR Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch for. The 31-year-old Cooks' strong game may have helped solidify a role on offense for him as the Bills prepare to embark on a playoff run. If that scenario holds true, fantasy managers in deeper formats could benefit from rolling out Cooks against the Jets in Week 18, though it's worth noting the Bills may rest some key players in a finale that only affects seeding.
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A.J. Brown WR | PHI
Eagles' A.J. Brown: Leading receiver on seven targets
Brown hauled in five of seven targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Bills.
Brown missed a pair of practice sessions early in the week after having his wisdom teeth removed, but the procedure did not limit the wideout's availability in Sunday's road victory. The 28-year-old paced the Eagles in targets, receptions and yardage while ceding the team's only touchdown reception to TE Dallas Goedert (3-8-1). Brown's solid effort pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth consecutive season. The star receiver is looking for a strong finish to the regular season against the Commanders in Week 18.
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Dante Pettis WR | NO
Saints' Dante Pettis: Grabs three passes Week 17
Pettis gathered in three of four targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 34-26 victory over the Titans.
Pettis logged more than one target for the first time this season, as he finished tied for third on the team in this category Sunday. The 30-year-old served as the Saints' WR3 with Mason Tipton (groin) inactive. Coming into Week 17, Pettis totaled just one reception on two targets across six appearances. He could see a moderate workload again if Tipton remains sidelined in the regular-season finale versus Atlanta.
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Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR | DEN
Broncos' Lil'Jordan Humphrey: Catches two passes in win
Humphrey caught two of five targets for 23 yards in Denver's 20-13 win over Kansas City on Thursday.
Humphrey's five targets were his most in a game since joining the Broncos on Nov. 12. With Pat Bryant (concussion) absent against the Chiefs, Humphrey operated as the Broncos' WR2 in terms of playing time, getting in on 60 percent of the offensive snaps, ahead of both Marvin Mims (47 percent) and Troy Franklin (38 percent). In six games with the Broncos, Humphrey has nine catches for 101 yards and one touchdown on 15 targets.