NFL Player News

Thomas brought in all three targets for 40 yards in the Jaguars' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Jacksonville.

Thomas was left out of the fun when it came to Trevor Lawrence's four touchdown passes, but the third-year wideout did finish tied for second in receiving yards and targets on the Jaguars while also serving as the runner-up in receptions. Thomas had an inconsistent first season in head coach Liam Coen's offense a year ago, but his efficient showing Sunday qualifies as an encouraging start for 2026 despite the modest yardage total. Thomas will have a formidable challenge on his hands next Sunday, however, as the Jaguars travel to Denver for a showdown against the stingy Broncos defense.

Shakir caught four of six targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 36-31 win over the Texans.

Shakir finished a distant third on the Bills in receiving yards behind Dalton Kincaid and DJ Moore, each of whom reached the 100-yard mark. Moore paced the team with eight targets in his Bills debut, while Shakir and Kincaid tied for second with six apiece. Shakir gets most of his opportunities on short passes near the line of scrimmage, so he's likely to keep getting looks from Josh Allen after leading the team in targets each of the past two seasons, but most of the downfield opportunities should go to alternative options, thus capping Shakir's ceiling. Buffalo will play its home opener Thursday against the Lions.

Pollard rushed seven times for 35 yards while catching one of two targets for minus-1 yard in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Jets.

The Titans spent most of Sunday's season opener playing catch-up, so they didn't give Pollard many carries, but he averaged an efficient 5.0 yards per carry on his limited opportunities. Tyjae Spears turned three carries and four targets into 24 yards, as Tennessee's backfield pecking order remains unchanged from 2025, with Pollard getting most of the opportunities on the ground. Another negative game script could limit Pollard's volume again in Week 2 against the Eagles, though the Titans will try to get off to a stronger start to avoid that scenario.

Reed caught three of his seven targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 39-22 loss to the Vikings.

Reed saw the third-most targets for the Packers behind Matthew Golden (12) and Christian Watson (eight), but the wide receiver could not haul in enough to match either's production. Tucker Kraft's 60 yards and Jonnu Smith's 50 yards also outproduced Reed on fewer targets, meaning Week 1 may not have instilled Jordan Love with much trust in the wide receiver.

Ward completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown while rushing four times for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Jets.

Ward was under siege all afternoon from a surprisingly effective Jets pass rush, and New York controlled the clock with the running game while stymying Tennessee's offense until late in the fourth quarter. Ward had just 85 passing yards until the Titans' final drive, on which he threw for 55 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor. New starting wide receivers Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson tied for the team lead with 38 receiving yards apiece, but those offseason additions haven't yet seemed to meaningfully improve Tennessee's passing game after Ward averaged an underwhelming 186.4 passing yards per game during a 3-14 rookie season. The 2025 first overall pick will try to rebound in a daunting Week 2 matchup against the Eagles.

Smith completed 19 of 24 passes for 215 yards while rushing six times for seven yards in Sunday's 23-10 win over the Titans.

Smith kept the offense on schedule but wasn't asked to do too much as the Jets rode their running game and defense to a convincing Week 1 win. There will likely be more pass-heavy game scripts to come, possibly as soon as Week 2 against the Packers, but Smith gave the Jets refreshingly competent quarterback play despite his modest yardage total to win the first game of his second stint with the team. Smith showed a nice connection with wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, connecting with them on nine of 10 targets for 139 yards.

Croskey-Merritt rushed 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for a seven-yard loss in a defeat to the Eagles on Sunday.

Croskey-Merritt scored Washington's only touchdown of the first half when he plunged into the end zone for a one-yard score late in the second quarter. However, he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry and also lost a fumble, though the Commanders were able to recover. Croskey-Merritt served as Washington's clear No. 1 back in terms of totes, with Rachaad White (seven carries for 22 yards) and Kaytron Allen (four carries for 16 yards) working behind him, though White's pass-catching role did garner him 27 offensive snaps to Croskey-Merritt's 33. The Commanders will take on Dallas in a Week 2 clash next Sunday.

Washington secured five of six targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also returned one punt for minus-5 yards.

Washington led the Jaguars in all of receptions, receiving yards and targets, and his impressive 30-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter kicked off a prolific afternoon for Jacksonville's offense. Washington, whose late-season surge in 2025 has put him in line for an extension, certainly benefits from the strong start to the new season in that regard, and he should remain a focal point despite a tough Week 2 road matchup against the Broncos next Sunday.

Watson caught six of eight targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 39-22 loss to the Vikings.

Watson broke free down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and added a two-yard touchdown catch to give the Packers a 19-10 lead with 14 seconds left in the first half. The Vikings dominated the second half as Green Bay's offense went quiet. Jordan Love threw the ball 42 times, and Watson could benefit if the Packers continue to employ pass-heavy game plans during the indefinite absence of starting running back Josh Jacobs (personal), who is on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Watson finished second on the team in targets Sunday behind Matthew Golden (12). The Packers will try to put this second-half collapse behind them in a Week 2 road game against the Jets.

Fannin brought in two of three targets for 21 yards in the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.

Deshaun Watson mostly struggled against an aggressive Jaguars defense that sacked him five times and picked him off once, so Fannin's generally disappointing numbers don't look quite as bleak within that context. The talented second-year tight end still is projected to remain a critical piece in the Browns' passing game, and Fannin could see a larger role as soon as a Week 2 road matchup against the Buccaneers.