NFL Player News

Freiermuth brought in three of five targets for 17 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Browns on Thursday.

Freiermuth and fellow tight end Darnell Washington each had three catches and a touchdown on five targets, as the two continued in a pretty even timeshare at the position. Freiermuth's scoring grab was particularly timely, as it came with 1:42 remaining and put the Steelers within two points of knotting the game up at 24-24. Freiermuth has multiple receptions in every game this season and a pair of touchdown catches, and he should remain in a similar role when Pittsburgh returns to action in a Week 5 home matchup against the Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Concepcion secured five of eight targets for 64 yards and returned two punts for 10 yards in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday.

Concepcion and fellow rookie Denzel Boston continued to spark the Browns' air attack Thursday, and the former finished second in receptions and receiving yards while setting the pace in targets. Concepcion's catch and yardage totals also qualified as new career highs, and the productive night served as a welcome bounce-back effort after the rookie first-round pick had been held to 2-9-0 receiving line in the Week 3 win over the Panthers. He should continue to garner plenty of Deshaun Watson's attention in a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Boston brought in four of seven targets for 89 yards in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday.

The impressive start to Boston's NFL career continued Thursday, with the rookie second-round pick leading the Browns in receiving yards and tying for runner-up status with Quinshon Judkins in targets. The bulk of Boston's production came on an impressive 60-yard reception to kick off an early second-quarter possession that culminated in a Judkins two-yard touchdown run. Boston has quickly amassed a 13-284-2 line on 22 targets through his first four career games, affording him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Fannin secured three of five targets for 27 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday.

After surging over the last pair of contests, Fannin had a quiet night somewhat reminiscent of his Week 1 performance against the Jaguars. However, the second-year tight end still rewarded fantasy managers by crossing the goal line for the third time in the last two games on a two-yard catch late in the first half. Fannin does have at least five targets in three straight games, and he should have a good chance of continuing to serve as a key target for a resurgent Deshaun Watson in a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing seven times for 22 yards in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday. He also committed two fumbles, losing one.

Watson's rather unlikely comeback season continued in the primetime spotlight Thursday against a division rival, with the embattled veteran ultimately besting future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Watson's late third-quarter fumble on a sack by T.J. Watt didn't result in any Steelers points, but his interception on Cleveland's ensuing possession on a deep pass intended for Denzel Boston did lead to Pittsburgh's penultimate touchdown of the night. Watson was otherwise impressive, recording his highest passing yardage total since Week 3 of the 2023 season. Watson connected with seven different targets overall, and his one scoring strike went to Harold Fannin from two yards out late in the second quarter. Watson now boasts a 69.6 percent completion rate -- his highest since the 2020 season in Houston -- and a 6:2 TD:INT alongside 127 rushing yards heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Rodgers completed 22 of 40 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Browns on Thursday. He also ran in a game-tying two-point conversion.

Rodgers' final line underscores the type of uneven night it was for the future Hall of Famer and the Steelers offense as a whole. He got started on the right foot by leading a marathon 17-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 9:48 on Pittsburgh's opening drive, one he capped off with a 12-yard touchdown shovel pass to Roman Wilson. Rodgers would go on to add 21- and three-yard scoring tosses in the fourth quarter to tight ends Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, respectively, the latter which the 22-year veteran followed up with a game-tying two-point conversion quarterback sneak. However, Rodgers' one non-Hail Mary interception in the second quarter, which was largely the result of his arm being hit as he threw, did lead to a Cleveland touchdown. Rodgers, who now has consecutive three-touchdown tallies, will look to regroup over the extended time between Thursday and a Week 5 home matchup against the Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Boswell went 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts and converted his lone point-after try in a loss to the Browns on Thursday Night Football.

Both of Boswell's FG tries came in the second quarter; he missed a 48-yarder midway through the period before making a 31-yarder just before halftime. The missed kick ended up being costly, as the Steelers lost by three points on a last-second Andre Szmyt field goal. Boswell has struggled a bit to begin the campaign, going 7-for-10 on FG attempts but making all six of his PAT tries though three games. All of his misses so far have come from at least 48 yards, so he's been reliable from shorter ranges.

Metcalf brought in five of nine targets for 115 yards in the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Browns on Thursday.

Metcalf led the Steelers across the stat sheet in receptions, receiving yards and targets, and his production in the first two categories also qualified as new season highs. The veteran wideout started slowly, but he came on with catches of 43, 22 and 28 yards in the fourth quarter. The standout night was a welcome sight for fantasy managers, who'd seen Metcalf post an inefficient and modest 11-98-1 line on 24 targets over his first three games. Metcalf will aim to carry over the momentum into a Week 5 home matchup against the Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Judkins rushed 17 times for 53 yards and a touchdown and brought in six of seven targets for 43 yards in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday.

Judkins was in his customary workhorse role in the Browns' ground attack, although as his final rushing line indicates, he found running room hard to come by on most of his carries. Even the second-year back's first rushing touchdown of the season didn't come easy, as Judkins had to power his way in from two yards out in the second quarter. However, he was able to find plenty of success as a receiver, finishing as the team leader in receptions and tying for runner-up status in targets with numbers that also qualified as new career-high figures. Judkins' backfield mates Raheim Sanders and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for just three carries between them -- although the latter took his one tote for a 28-yard touchdown -- so Cleveland's clear lead back will continue to helm the run game in a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Szmyt made both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries Thursday in a 27-24 win over Pittsburgh.

Szmyt's first field goal was pretty clutch, as he nailed a 44-yarder to give Cleveland an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, the second-year kicker's next FG was much more dramatic -- he sailed a 56-yarder through the uprights with 10 seconds remaining to give his team a three-point victory. Szmyt has quietly emerged as one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL, as he's made 22 consecutive field-goal tries dating back to last season. His 56-yard game-winner Thursday was the longest of his career so far.