NFL Player News

Bates did not record a target during the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Bates failed to see a target from a Commanders QB for the fifth time this season (and second time in Washington's last three games). However, with Zach Ertz out for the rest of season due to a torn ACL, Bates and Ben Sinnott are both poised for expanded roles on offense over the final four games of the regular season, starting with this Sunday's NFC East clash against the Giants.

Rypien, who is on the Indianapolis pratice squad, could be in line to start this week at Seattle with Daniel Jones out with a torn Achilles tendon and Riley Leonard's status uncertain due to a knee injury. "Right now, (Rypien would) be the guy that's on our roster. Like I said, we're working through those situations right now," head coach Shane Steichen told the Indianapolis Star.

Indianapolis may have no choice other than to call up Rypien from the practice squad and take over starting quarterback duties. Rypien was with Minnesota during training camp, but he was cut in late August and subsequently joined Cincinnati's practice squad. The veteran QB was signed to the Bengals' active roster after Joe Burrow (toe) went on IR in mid-September, but Rypien got into just one game with the Bengals, playing three offensive snaps without attempting a pass in Week 3. Rypien then was released by Cincinnati and subsequently signed with Indianapolis.

Lane did not record a target during the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Lane didn't log a catch for a second consecutive week, though what's more alarming for the rookie fourth-rounder was that he saw the field for just six of 52 offensive snaps (11.5 percent) during Sunday's blowout loss. With Jayden Daniels aggravating his left elbow injury and Zach Ertz done for the season due to a torn ACL, it's hard to trust Lane or any of other Washington pass catcher outside of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel heading into this Sunday's NFC East tilt against the Giants.

Burks failed to reel in his only target in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.

Burks and the rest of Washington's offense were limited greatly, producing just 215 total yards in the blowout loss. The wide receiver logged 19 snaps on offense, which ranked fourth at his position behind Terry McLaurin (32), Noah Brown (32) and Deebo Samuel (27) in Week 14. Burks will look to get more involved in the team's Week 15 matchup with the Giants on the road.

Leonard sustained a strained right knee ligament in Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Jaguars and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pressed into duty after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury early in Sunday's contest, Leonard completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while adding five yards and a touchdown in his first extended NFL action. Though he's expected to take over as the Colts' starter in place of Jones, Leonard will first have to prove that the knee issue isn't severe enough to keep him sidelined Week 15 against the Seahawks. Even if Leonard is ultimately cleared to play, Indianapolis will almost certainly have to bring in quarterback depth this week, and reports have recently emerged that 44-year-old Philip Rivers will be brought in for a workout Tuesday.

McNichols caught his lone target for two yards and did not record a carry during the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Sunday marked the first time since Week 2 against the Packers that McNichols failed to record a carry, and his two-yard catch from Jayden Daniels (elbow) was his lone contribution on offense. McNichols' 18 offensive snaps were behind Chris Rodriguez (22) and ahead of Jacory Croskey-Merritt (10), but none of Washington's three running backs saw the field more than 42 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Through 13 regular-season games, McNichols has turned 32 carries into 211 yards (6.6 YPC) and a touchdown and has caught 18 passes (on 23 targets) for 151 yards.

Croskey-Merritt rushed the ball seven times for 32 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.

Croskey-Merritt was once again uninspiring in Week 14, playing 10 snaps on offense, which was 12 fewer than fellow running back Chris Rodriguez (22). Croskey-Merritt has now gone eight straight games without reaching the end zone, and he hasn't crossed 40 yards on the ground since Week 6. With Washington's season going sideways and Rodriguez getting the majority of the workload in the backfield, Croskey-Merritt is an unappealing fantasy option at the moment.

Epps is warming up as a starting safety alongside Reed Blankenship prior to Monday's game against the Chargers, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

Epps was activated from injured reserve ahead of Monday's game against the Chargers and looks likely to step into a significant role immediately. He has played almost exclusively on special teams in his previous eight games this season, but Andrew Mukuba's (ankle) injury has created an opportunity at safety.

Hawes caught a three-yard touchdown pass during the Bills' 39-34 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

Hawes served mostly as a blocker during Sunday's game, but he came up clutch late in the fourth quarter when he slipped beyond the line of scrimmage into the end zone and caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to extend the Bills' lead to 39-28 after the point-after try. Hawes played 34 snaps on offense, which was just behind Dawson Knox (35) and ahead of the returning Dalton Kincaid (22). Hawes is now up to 12 catches (on 15 targets) for 152 yards and three touchdowns through 13 regular-season games.

Shavers caught his only target for 16 yards in Sunday's 39-34 win over the Bengals.

Shavers finished one offensive snap behind Gabe Davis (37) for the team lead at his position, but he was still limited to just one target in Week 14. Shavers has carved out a nice role for himself with Buffalo's offense, but Sunday's catch was his first since Week 11. The wideout will look to get more opportunities in the team's divisional battle with the Patriots in Week 15.