NFL Player News

The Jets are set to waive Lazard on Tuesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

According to Cimini, the Jets are moving on from Lazard in a mutual decision, as the veteran wideout had previously asked to be let go. After accepting an $8.5 million pay cut in the offseason, Lazard is under contract at a palatable $1.75 million base salary for 2025, but it's unclear if any team would want to put in a waiver claim for him and assume the money remaining on his deal. The 30-year-old was already a major disappointment for the Jets in the first two seasons of the four-year, $44 million deal he signed in March 2023, and he's taken an even bigger step back statistically in 2025. Lazard had produced a lowly 10-70-1 receiving line on 18 targets in 10 appearances, and he had been a healthy inactive back in Week 11. With three games left in a non-contending season, the Jets were eager to open up more opportunities for their younger wide receivers rather than continuing to give Lazard reps.

Smith had two receptions on as many targets for 12 yards while taking his only carry for a 14-yard touchdown in Monday's 28-15 win over Miami.

Smith wasn't much of a receiving threat on Monday, but he stood out in the box score with a rare rushing touchdown. The veteran tight end lined up at running back and took a pitch from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the house to help put the game away in the fourth quarter. The 29-year-old continues to split time at tight end with Pat Freiermuth (3-45-0 receiving line) and Darnell Washington (3-25-0), both of whom outproduced Smith in the passing game Monday. Smith shouldn't register as more than a deep-league option for Sunday's tilt with the Lions.

Warren (illness) rushed 12 times for 33 yards while catching all three of his targets for 15 yards in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

Warren was a late addition to the Steelers' injury report Monday with an illness, which may help explain his poor individual performance in his team's victory. Backup Kenneth Gainwell took advantage of the starter's limitations and finished as Pittsburgh's leading rusher on a team-high 20 touches. It was only the third time this season that Warren's backup reached double-digit carries, so fantasy managers shouldn't hit the panic button following Monday's backfield shift. A healthier Warren will have an opportunity to reestablish himself as the Steelers' primary back in a road matchup against the Lions on Sunday.

Metcalf corralled all three of his targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in a 28-15 win over Miami on Monday.

Metcalf managed to finish as the Steelers' leading receiver despite registering his lowest target count to date in 2025. The physical wideout squeezed all the juice out of his limited opportunities by scoring his sixth touchdown of the season on his third and final reception of the evening. After being held to a 18-144-0 receiving line in Weeks 9-13, Metcalf has quickly racked up a 203 yards over his last two starts. A favorable matchup against the Lions' depleted secondary is on tap for Metcalf and Pittsburgh in Week 16.

Tipton hauled in one of two targets for five yards and rushed once for minus-4 yards during Sunday's 20-17 win over the Panthers.

Tipton started his fourth game in a row and played the second-most offensive snaps (55) among the Saints' wide receivers behind WR1 Chris Olave (58). Devaughn Vele, who's become the No. 2 wideout over the last five games, played 38 offensive snaps before exiting with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter. Vele was also seen wearing a sling after the game, likely putting his availability for Week 16 up in the air. If he misses time, then Tipton should be the next man up in the pass-catcher hierarchy behind Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson. The Saints will next play versus the Jets on Sunday.

Wright rushed once for two yards and brought in his only target for nine yards in the Dolphins' 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday night.

One game after logging a career-high 24 carries against the Jets due to De'Von Achane's early exit with a rib injury, Wright reverted to a bit role Monday night despite Ollie Gordon exiting due to an ankle injury in the second quarter. Wright did record only the second catch of his career, but with Achane healthy and capable of playing all three downs, Wright looks likely to remain minimally involved over the final three games of the season, even if Gordon is sidelined for any period of time.

Waddle brought in two of four targets for 26 yards in the Dolphins' 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday night.

Although Tua Tagovailoa had his most productive passing effort since Week 9, Waddle was only a bit player in his quarterback's production. The talented wideout finished with his lowest reception, receiving yardage and target totals since Week 7, a particularly untimely downturn for fantasy managers rolling with him in their playoff games. Waddle should have a good opportunity to bounce back Week 16, as the Bengals pay a visit to South Florida on Sunday afternoon.

Moreau totaled zero targets during Sunday's 20-17 win versus the Panthers.

Moreau did not attract a target for the fourth time in 10 appearances this season. The 28-year-old played 43 percent of offensive snaps behind TE1 Juwan Johnson, as the former has played over 45 percent of offensive snaps just once this year. Moreau is on pace to finish with single-digit receptions for the first time since 2020, and he won't have any fantasy value unless Johnson misses time over the final three regular-season games. New Orleans will next play versus the Jets on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel said after the team's loss to Pittsburgh on Monday that Fitzpatrick (calf) will undergo additional tests on his calf, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

Fitzpatrick exited with a calf issue in the fourth quarter and didn't end up returning to the game. The results of the upcoming tests should provide some clarity about how serious the injury is. The Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss Monday, so the team probably isn't going to rush Fitzpatrick back into action if the issue is more than minor.

Waller secured seven of eight targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins' 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday.

The veteran tight end set the pace in receptions and targets on the night for Miami, and he was just a yard behind De'Von Achane for the team lead in receiving yards. Waller also was on the receiving end of both of Tua Tagovailoa's touchdown passes, recording six- and 13-yard scoring grabs in the fourth quarter. Waller has been productive and displayed a knack for the end zone on the rare occasions he's been healthy this season, and he'll head into a highly favorable Week 16 home matchup against the Bengals with a 20-243-6 line on 26 targets across seven games.