NFL Player News
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DeAndre Hopkins WR | BAL
Ravens' DeAndre Hopkins: Shows rapport with Huntley
Hopkins recorded four receptions on five targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Patriots.
Hopkins has made a limited impact this season, though he emerged in the second half of Sunday's loss with Tyler Huntley under center. The duo connected on gains of nine, 16 and eight yards, resulting in Hopkins' highest yardage total since Week 5. Even if Huntley remains under center in Week 17 with Lamar Jackson nursing a back injury, Hopkins is likely to return to a minimal role in the Baltimore offense.
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Kalif Raymond WR | DET
Lions' Kalif Raymond: Benefits from pass-heavy script
Raymond recorded four receptions on five targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers.
Jared Goff took to the air 54 times, and Raymond took advantage by earning a season-high five targets. He played a key role in the Lions' fourth quarter comeback effort, catching a short pass over the middle before turning upfield for a 27-yard score midway through the fourth quarter. Raymond has still topped 20 receiving yards only three times in 13 games, and he's likely to return to a peripheral role in Week 17 against the Vikings.
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Troy Franklin WR | DEN
Broncos' Troy Franklin: Nabs long catch
Franklin recorded four receptions on five targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Jaguars.
Franklin retained a solid role in the Denver offense despite the return of Pat Bryant from a hamstring injury, with the former tying for third on the team in targets. He produced little for much of the game, though he ended with a solid yardage total thanks to a long 48-yard grab early in the fourth quarter. Franklin has re-emerged in the Broncos' offense, recording 10 catches for 151 yards combined across the last two games. He should continue to see added opportunity if Bryant, who suffered a head injury in the game, is forced to miss Denver's Week 17 matchup Thursday.
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Brian Thomas Jr. WR | JAC
Jaguars' Brian Thomas: Disappears again
Thomas recorded two receptions on three targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Broncos.
Thomas had shown some promising signs in recent weeks after underperforming for most of the season. However, he found opportunity hard to come by in Sunday's upset win, as he finished fifth on the team in targets. His longest gain went for only nine yards, and he was held to his lowest yardage total from scrimmage on the campaign.
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Jakobi Meyers WR | JAC
Jaguars' Jakobi Meyers: Held to 46 yards
Meyers recorded four receptions on eight targets for 45 yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Broncos. He added one rush for one yard.
Parker Washington took over as the Jaguars' top pass catcher in the win, though Meyers still managed eight targets -- his second-highest mark with the team. He failed to record a catch on his first three opportunities, though he managed to make a 25-yard reception just before halftime, setting up a field goal. Meyers continues to have a consistent role in the team's offense, though he's now been held to 50 yards or fewer in four of seven games with the Jaguars.
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DK Metcalf WR | PIT
Steelers' DK Metcalf: Modest output in controversial game
Metcalf recorded four receptions on nine targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions.
The Steelers ran an uncharacteristically pass-heavy offense, which should have led to a big performance from Metcalf. His nine targets were his second-highest mark of the season, yet he was held below 50 receiving yards for the sixth time in his last eight games. To make matters worse, Metcalf was engaged in an altercation with a fan, and his behavior will be reviewed by the league in the upcoming week, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
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Jameson Williams WR | DET
Lions' Jameson Williams: Leads Lions in receiving yards
Williams recorded five receptions (on nine targets) for 70 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers.
Williams tied for second on the team with nine targets, as there was plenty of opportunity for all of Detroit's pass catchers due to Jared Goff taking to the air 54 times. Williams was quiet for much of the game, though he logged a pair of 21-yard receptions and served as the Lions' primary deep threat as they attempted a dramatic comeback late in the fourth quarter. Williams took a slight step back relative to his recent performances, but he has at least 70 receiving yards in six of eight games while also recording five touchdowns since the team's bye in Week 8.
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Christian Kirk WR | HOU
Texans' Christian Kirk: Re-emerges with 37 yards Sunday
Kirk (illness) had three receptions on five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 23-21 win over Las Vegas.
Kirk overcame an illness during the practice week in order to suit up for Sunday's narrow victory over the lowly Raiders. The veteran wideout had seen his role reduced to dust in recent weeks, so it was an encouraging sign to see the slot extraordinaire reintegrated into the offense after recording just one catch over his last three appearances. Fantasy managers will still find it hard to trust Kirk in Week 17 given his recent struggles and low upside as part of Houston's ball-control offense.
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Courtland Sutton WR | DEN
Broncos' Courtland Sutton: Strong production in loss
Sutton recorded six receptions on 12 targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Jaguars.
Sutton was unsurprisingly Bo Nix's favorite target, which allowed him to reach double-digit opportunities for the third straight week. He got involved early in the game, logging long receptions of 17 and 14 yards on Denver's second possession before catching a 15-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. While Sutton was quiet for most of the game thereafter, he has a touchdown or 100 receiving yards in four straight contests.
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Tre Tucker WR | LV
Raiders' Tre Tucker: Garners six touches in loss
Tucker brought in four of five targets for 43 yards and took two carries for 11 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to Houston.
Tucker bounced back nicely from last week's zero-catch effort with modest contributions as both a runner and receiver against the Texans. The Raiders welcomed back QB Geno Smith (shoulder/back) from a one-game absence, which turned out to be great news for Tucker, who has proven to be one of the veteran quarterback's favorite targets this season. The third-year wideout may have also benefited from Tyler Lockett's (wrist) early departure from Sunday's contest. If the latter is forced to miss Week 17 action, then fantasy managers can expect Tucker to continue leading a young, inexperienced receiving corps against the Giants next Sunday.