NFL Player News

Hubbard carried the ball four times for 12 yards and caught all three of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

The Panthers' offense couldn't get anything going Sunday until it was too late, and Hubbard wound up with his lowest scrimmage yards total since Week 10, when the Saints held him to just 15 yards. Hubbard hasn't seen double-digit touches in three straight games since Carolina's bye while Rico Dowdle fills the No. 1 role in the backfield, but he may need to step up in Week 18 against the Buccaneers with the NFC South, and a playoff spot, on the line with a Carolina win. Note that the Panthers can also win the division if the Falcons win their next two games, no matter what Carolina does in the finale.

Mitchell caught three of nine targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Patriots.

Mitchell has 55 targets in seven games with the Jets but has caught only 24 of them. He has 320 receiving yards and two touchdowns since coming over from the Colts in a midseason trade. Brady Cook has a 1:7 TD:INT in four games (three starts) since taking over as the Jets' starting quarterback, so Mitchell could be held back by poor quarterback play again in Week 18 against the Bills.

Williams caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 42-10 win over the Jets.

Williams saw a career-high five targets as the Patriots played without Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen, IR), but the additional looks didn't result in substantial production from the rookie third-round pick, even as Drake Maye threw five touchdown passes against a weak Jets defense. Williams set up the Patriots' second touchdown of the game by drawing an 18-yard pass interference penalty in the end zone, which was followed up by a one-yard Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run on the next play. New England's starters are expected to play in Week 18 against the Dolphins with the top seed in the AFC still in play, so Williams' role could depend on Boutte's status.

Cook completed 19 of 33 passes for 152 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Patriots. He also rushed twice for one yard.

Cook saw his career TD:INT drop to 1:7 through four regular-season appearances (three starts). The undrafted rookie has looked overmatched at the NFL level, but the 3-13 Jets will likely give Cook one more chance to start in Week 18 against the Bills before reassessing their quarterback room in the offseason. The Jets' only touchdown in the lopsided loss to New England came on a 59-yard run by Breece Hall (knee) in the fourth quarter.

Dowdle carried the ball 12 times for 59 yards and caught three of five targets for four yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

The Panthers' offense couldn't get anything going Sunday until it was too late, and Dowdle wound up falling short of 60 rushing yards for the seventh straight game. Despite the late-season slump, the fifth-year back is still just 14 rushing yards short of setting a new career high after amassing 1,079 yards with the Cowboys in 2024. Dowdle may need to find another gear in Week 18 against the Buccaneers with the NFC South title, and a playoff spot, on the line with a Carolina win. Note that the Panthers can also win the division if the Falcons win their next two games, no matter what Carolina does in the finale.

Smith (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Giants, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Smith limped off the field under his own power in the fourth quarter with the Raiders already down 27-10. If Smith is unable to return Sunday, Kenny Pickett will pilot Las Vegas' offense as the team attempts to orchestrate an unlikely comeback. Smith completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before his departure.

Young completed 14 of 24 passes for 54 yards and an interception in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks. He added 27 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

The third-year QB was completely flummoxed through the air by the Seattle defense, setting a season low for passing yards, but Young salvaged some fantasy value with a 10-yard TD dash in the fourth quarter. Young will take a 21:10 TD:INT on the year, plus two rushing scores, into a Week 18 clash with the Buccaneers, with the NFC South title and a playoff spot on the line with a Carolina win. Note that the Panthers can also win the division if the Falcons win their next two games, no matter what Carolina does in the finale.

Smith (lower body) was forced out of Sunday's contest against the Giants in the fourth quarter and walked to the locker room under his own power, Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic reports.

Smith left Sunday's contest with the Raiders already down 27-10. The veteran quarterback completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before being forced off the field. Kenny Pickett will line up under center for Las Vegas as long as Smith remains sidelined.

Wright rushed five times for 56 yards in the Dolphins' 20-17 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The backup running back flashed with a 32-yard run, the longest of his two-year career. Wright also had scored a touchdown in two of the previous three contests and eclipsed 100 yards in one of them, so he's delivered some deep-league, late-season utility behind De'Von Achane. Wright could be the beneficiary of some extra run if head coach Mike McDaniel opts to reduce the snaps of some of his top players in a Week 18 road matchup against the Patriots.

Barner caught all three of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

The second-year tight end snagged his sixth TD of the season on a 17-yard connection with Sam Darnold. Barner has caught multiple passes in seven straight games, putting together a 29-269-2 line on 39 targets over that stretch. and with the Seahawks likely needing one more win to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC, he should see a significant workload again in Week 18 versus the 49ers.