NFL Player News

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.

The Chargers waived Jones on Monday.

The Chargers jettisoned both Jones and running back Jaret Patterson on Monday to make room on the 53-man roster after Omario Hamption (ankle) and Hassan Haskins (hamstring) were both activated from injured reserve. Jones was a healthy scratch in Weeks 11 and 13, and in eight regular-season games for the Chargers he accumulated 10 tackles (six solo) and one pass defense. Assuming he clears waivers, Jones could opt to stay in Los Angeles as a member of the practice squad or look to join a team in need of depth on the defensive line.

Cooks failed to compile any stats while playing 23 snaps on offense in Sunday's 39-34 win over the Bengals.

Cooks saw one look from Josh Allen on the day, ultimately drawing a pass interference penalty on cornerback DJ Turner early in the third quarter, so it didn't qualify as a target officially. The wide receiver finished fourth on the team at his position in offensive snaps, sitting behind Gabe Davis (37), Tyrell Shavers (36) and Khalil Shakir (32) but ahead of Keon Coleman (18). Cooks figures to have limited upside moving forward while operating as low as he does on the depth chart.

The Chargers placed Fisk (ankle) on injured reserve Monday.

Fisk was already ruled out for Monday night's game against the Eagles due to an ankle injury, which is severe enough for him to warrant a stint on injured reserve. He'll be required to miss at least four games, which means Week 18 against the Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 4 is the earliest he can return. With Fisk on IR and Tyler Conklin (coach's decision) a healthy inactive for Week 14, the Chargers will go with two tight ends on the active roster Monday in Will Dissly and rookie fifth-rounder Oronde Gadsden.

Davis didn't record a carry or target during Sunday's 39-34 win over the Bengals but returned four kickoffs for 84 yards.

Davis rushed for a season-high 62 yards on nine carries during the Bills' Week 13 win over the Steelers. However, he saw the field for 10 total snaps Sunday (four on offense, six on special teams), and the only time he touched the ball was on kickoffs as a returner. Ty Johnson, in contrast, played 16 snaps on offense and finished with two carries for 25 yards and two catches (on three targets) for 14 yards. Davis and Johnson both worked behind James Cook out of the backfield, and that trend should continue in this Sunday's AFC East tilt against the Patriots.

Howell (coach's decision) is inactive but operating as the Eagles' emergency third quarterback for Monday night's contest against the Chargers.

Howell is set to serve as the team's No. 3 option at QB behind starter Jalen Hurts and backup Tanner McKee, a role he's operated in throughout the season. Howell has yet to appear in a regular-season game, and both Hurts and McKee would have to be sidelined for him to do so in Week 14.