NFL Player News

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that he expects Boutte (hamstring) to take part in practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

The wideout practiced in a limited capacity prior to being ruled out against the Jets in Week 11 after previously sitting out Week 10 against Tampa Bay. In three appearances prior to injuring his hamstring, Boutte had tallied a tremendous 10-223-4 receiving line on 12 targets, and he'll face an exceptional matchup against the Bengals in Week 12 if he's able to retake the field.

Johnson (foot) has been diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain and is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Johnson is among the best right tackles in the NFL, so this is a massive loss for the Philadelphia offense. If the timeline holds true, the veteran should be back in time for a potential playoff push. Losing Johnson could mean a downgrade in fantasy upside for both Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Fred Johnson should be the next man up at right tackle for the Eagles after he filled in against the Lions in Week 11.

Likely had two catches for 15 yards on three targets Sunday against the Browns.

Baltimore's passing attack was limited Sunday in Cleveland as Lamar Jackson was held to just 193 yards on 25 attempts by bad weather and the Browns' pass rush. Likely drew just three targets and still hasn't had a game with more than three receptions all year. He also has yet to reach the end zone and has just one red-zone target. The Ravens get a softer matchup in Week 12 against the Jets, but Likely's usage does not project favorably for fantasy as long as Mark Andrews is healthy.

Palmer caught two of five targets for 17 yards in the Bills' 44-32 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

It was Palmer's first action since Week 6, as he dealt with knee and ankle injuries. He played just 50 percent of the offensive snaps against Tampa Bay, the same amount as Curtis Samuel, as the duo worked behind both Khalil Shakir (54 percent) and Tyrell Shavers (54 percent) in a wide-receiver rotation that did not include Keon Coleman, who was inactive. In a Buffalo offense that spreads the ball around to 10 players most weeks, it's impossible to trust any of the team's pass-catchers behind Shakir and, when healthy, tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) as fantasy starters.

London (knee) has been diagnosed with a sprained PCL and is expected to miss next Sunday's game against the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

London also could miss additional time beyond that contest. With Atlanta's top wideout looking doubtful for Week 12, there would be additional pressure on Darnell Mooney to turn his poor season around, while David Sills, KhaDarel Hodge and Carlos Washington might see additional work. Falcons pass catchers will be working with Kirk Cousins moving forward after Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in a Week 11 loss to the Panthers.

Brents (foot) is expected to receive surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Brents sustained the injury early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's overtime win over the Commanders, in what was his second start of the season. The Kansas State product put together a nice season after being waived by the Colts in August, tallying five tackles in consecutive games. His spot will likely be taken over by Jason Marshall.

Cousins could serve as Atlanta's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 campaign with Michael Penix feared to have sustained a season-ending knee injury during Sunday's 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Cousins entered Sunday's loss in the third quarter, completing six of 14 passes for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while gaining two yards on one carry. Previously, Cousins started Week 8 against the Dolphins with Penix sidelined due to a bone bruise in his knee, completing 21 of 31 pass attempts for 173 yards and again being held without a touchdown or interception. Penix is reportedly seeking a second opinion on his knee injury, but if his season is indeed over, Cousins will take over under center beginning with Sunday's game in New Orleans . At this stage of his career, the 37-year-old signal-caller hasn't yet demonstrated enough upside to warrant consideration in single-quarterback formats, and his prospects will be further diminished if top wideout Drake London (knee) also misses time.

Hopkins had one catch for 11 yards on four targets Sunday against the Browns.

It was an inefficient day for Hopkins, who stepped into a starting role with Rashod Bateman sidelined. The veteran wideout played a season-high 41 snaps and drew four targets for the second week in a row. In fairness, Lamar Jackson was not sharp Sunday due to the weather in Cleveland and was constantly under duress, as he went just 14-for-25 for 193 yards and two picks. No Raven had more than three receptions. Hopkins gets a softer matchup in Week 12 against the Jets, so he could be on the radar in deeper leagues if Bateman is out again.

The Falcons believe the knee injury Penix suffered during Sunday's overtime loss to the Panthers could be season-ending, though the quarterback will seek a second opinion, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Penix was initially reported to have aggravated a bone bruise that forced him to miss a Week 8 contest versus the Dolphins, but the injury instead appears to be far more significant. He already suffered two ACL tears in his left knee during college. If the second-year quarterback is indeed done for the year, he will wrap up 2025 with a 60.1 percent completion rate, 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in nine games, in addition to 21 carries for 70 yards and a score. Veteran backup Kirk Cousins looks slated to draw another start on the road against New Orleans in Week 12 at the very least, and he could handle the No. 1 role for the remainder of the campaign.

Sanders caught all four of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons.

The second-year pro from Texas (37 snaps) logged fewer offensive snaps than Tommy Tremble (42 snaps) but still paced the Panthers' tight-end room in targets and receptions. Sanders has caught all nine of his targets for 54 yards over Carolina's last two games, establishing himself as the team's top receiving option at TE. He's expected to remain one of Bryce Young's favorite targets and could be a viable streaming option in the Week 12 matchup against the 49ers.