NFL Player News

Johnson secured his only target for minus-1 yard in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

The rookie's minimal role persisted in Sunday's loss, with Johnson seeing the field on just 25 percent (16 snaps) of the Buccaneers' offensive plays. The recent return of Mike Evans and season debut of Jalen McMillan has predictably pushed Johnson down the depth chart, where he projects to remain for the final two games of the regular season and in the postseason, if Tampa Bay advances.

McMillan brought in two of three targets for 15 yards and rushed once for one yard in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Playing in just his second game of the season, McMillan had a modest role, albeit within the context of a day in which Baker Mayfield threw for just 145 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per attempt. McMillan did enjoy a solid snap share relative to the rest of the team's front-line receivers, as his 34 snaps (53 percent) were just two behind Emeka Egbuka and six and eight fewer than Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, respectively. McMillan should continue essentially splitting the No. 3 role with Egbuka during a favorable Week 17 road matchup against the Dolphins.

Otton recorded two catches for 15 yards on two targets in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Panthers.

With the Tampa Bay pass-catching corps getting healthier following the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, Otton appears set to occupy a more muted role in the aerial attack. The tight end has drawn four targets or fewer in each of the Buccaneers' last three games, producing seven catches for 43 yards during that stretch. The lack of reliable target volume makes Otton tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups heading into Tampa Bay's Week 17 matchup with the Dolphins.

Mostert rushed once for six yards and caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans. He also returned two kickoffs for 53 yards.

Mostert's only carry of the contest didn't come until the start of the fourth quarter, and workhorse running back Ashton Jeanty hogged the offensive spotlight with 25 total touches for 188 yards and two scores. A similarly one-sided backfield split can be expected against the Giants in Week 17.

Mayer caught one of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Mayer has not caught more than one pass in a single contest since Week 11, though he played 36 of 54 offensive snaps for the Raiders on Sunday. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Brock Bowers paced the team with five receptions on as many targets for 33 yards and a score.

Bech caught two of three targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Bech filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker after Tyler Lockett exited Sunday's contest early with a wrist injury, and Bech could see a similarly increased level of involvement against the Giants in Week 17 if Lockett remains sidelined. Bech has caught at least two passes in four consecutive games, but he's yet to find the end zone as a rookie.

Judkins will undergo surgery Tuesday in Cleveland to repair a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Judkins will face a 4-to-5-month recovery timeline following surgery, putting him on track to be available for the start of training camp in late July. In his absence over the final two games of the season, Cleveland will rely on a committee of running backs that includes Dylan Sampson (hand/calf), Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams. Judkins wrapped up his rookie campaign with 230 carries for 827 yards (3.6 average) and seven touchdowns to go with 26 catches for 171 yards on 36 targets over 14 games.

Thornton was not targeted in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Thornton played just four offensive snaps in the Raiders' ninth consecutive defeat, while fellow rookie receiver Jack Bech caught two of three targets for 43 yards in the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker. Thornton has not caught a pass since Week 13, and he's even ceded playing time to punt returner Alex Bachman.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Sampson (hand/calf) is improving by the day, Noah Monroe of the Browns' official site reports.

Sampson sat out the Browns' Week 16 loss to the Bills, but the team has optimism the rookie running back will be back in action this Sunday against the Steelers. With Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) out of action for the remainder of the season, the Browns hope to have a full complement of backs available that includes Sampson, Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams. If all are healthy for Week 17, Sampson would likely be in line to serve as the team's lead back.

Robinson had two receptions on as many targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 48-27 win over Indianapolis.

Robinson finally hit pay dirt with the 49ers after being held out of the end zone in his first 11 appearances with the club he signed with this past offseason. The veteran wideout's usage didn't increase with WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle/knee) sidelined Monday, but he was the beneficiary of one of QB Brock Purdy's five touchdown strikes. Even factoring in the rare score, Robinson simply isn't a big enough part of San Francisco's game plan to warrant fantasy consideration in Week 17.