NFL Player News

Cooks gathered in his only target for five yards during Sunday's 26-14 victory versus the Giants.

Cooks saw his lowest target share and playing time of the season, resulting in season lows in catches and yards. The 32-year-old went from playing at least 68 percent of offensive snaps in each of the first four weeks -- including 91 percent in Week 4 -- to 45 percent in Week 5. It's unclear why he saw such a sharp decline in playing time, though second-year wideout Devaughn Vele saw a jump from six percent of offensive snaps to 37 percent played Sunday. Neither Cooks nor Vele will have any fantasy value so long as they operate as the third and fourth wideouts in what has been a limited passing offense with quarterback Spencer Rattler. Cooks will perhaps play more offensive snaps during the Week 6 contest versus his former team, the Patriots.

Vele hauled in both targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 26-14 win versus the Giants.

Vele saw a slight uptick in playing time and targets compared to his last two outings, when he played 34.0 and 6.0 percent of offensive snaps in Week 2 and Week 4, respectively. The second-year wideout has had a much slower start with New Orleans than he did during his 2024 rookie campaign in Denver, where he logged 41 catches (on 55 targets) for 475 yards over 13 regular-season games. Vele's fantasy value will be suppressed so long as he operates as the WR4 behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, especially in the Saints' struggling passing offense.

Lazard (personal) did not travel to London with the Jets on Monday.

Lazard is dealing with a personal matter, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos is now in question. The wide receiver has not been ruled out for the game, and he could still play if he travels to London later in the week. If he is ultimately forced to miss Week 6, Tyler Johnson would stand to see an increase in workload at wide receiver versus Denver.

Martin reverted to the Commanders' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Martin played a total of 26 snaps (14 on offense, 12 on special teams) and logged one catch for nine yards and a tackle during the Commanders' 27-10 win over the Chargers on Sunday. He could be elevated to Washington's active roster for a third consecutive game for Week 6 against the Bears if one or both of Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) or Noah Brown (groin) are not cleared to play.

Proche reverted to the Titans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Proche was elevated to the active roster prior to Sunday's 22-21 win over the Cardinals, but he ultimately didn't appear in the game. The wide receiver can now be elevated two more times this season before Tennessee would have to officially sign him to the active roster.

Harris did not record a target across 25 offensive snaps in the 27-10 loss to the Commanders on Sunday.

Harris actually saw a season high in terms of snap percentage, but the extra work didn't get the rookie more opportunities. The Chargers could be in a few more favorable passing game scripts with the offensive line in tatters due to injuries, but they have yet to significantly unlock the 2025 second-round pick.

Brooks (knee) reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Brooks played four snaps on offense and 17 snaps with the special-teams unit in the Cowboys' 37-22 win over the Jets in Week 5. The wide receiver didn't record any stats on offense, while he added a tackle in punt coverage. Additionally, he suffered an apparent knee injury in the fourth quarter of the contest, and he was considered questionable to return, Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com reports.

Cropper reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Cropper was elevated to the Cowboys' active roster for a second straight game due to the absences of CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and KaVontae Turpin (foot). Cropper saw six snaps on offense, which came after Jalen Brooks suffered a knee injury on punt coverage in the fourth quarter. Cropper did not see a target from Dak Prescott, but the former also played 10 snaps on special teams, returning one punt for eight yards while calling a fair catch three times. Cropper is eligible to be elevated from the practice squad once more; after that, the Cowboys would have to sign the 24-year-old wideout to the active roster in order for him to suit up for the rest of the regular season. Cropper could be on Dallas' active roster for Week 6 against Carolina if Lamb and/or Turpin are unable to play.

Samuel logged two catches on as many targets for 26 yards and one touchdown during Buffalo's 23-20 loss to New England on Sunday. He also turned three kickoff returns into 84 yards.

Samuel helped give the Bills a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter after hauling in a six-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen. Samuel was on the field for 33 of the Bills' 68 offensive snaps (48.6 percent), which was fourth most among Buffalo wide receivers behind Khalil Shakir (43), Keon Coleman (42) and Joshua Palmer (35). Samuel has played in each of the Bills' last two games after being a healthy scratch for the first three games, though most of his contributions will come on special teams as a kick returner rather than on offense unless there's an injury in Buffalo's wide-receiver corps.

Palmer caught two passes on as many targets for 36 yards during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

Palmer was held to a 23-yard catch in the the second quarter for much of the game before hauling in a 13-yard grab on the last play of regulation. He was on the field for 35 of 68 offensive snaps (51.5 percent), which was third most among Bills wide receivers behind Khalil Shakir (43) and Keon Coleman (42). Palmer saw nine targets in his Bills debut Week 1 against the Ravens, but he has seen three looks or less from Josh Allen in each of the four games since. The lack of targets makes Palmer hard to count on from a fantasy perspective heading into Buffalo's Week 6 road contest against Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 13.