NFL Player News

Franklin caught three of 10 targets for 19 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 33-32 win over the Giants.

Franklin finished the contest tied for the team lead in targets with fellow wideout Courtland Sutton, with the 10 targets being a season high for the 22-year-old. Despite the increased involvement, Franklin struggled to connect with quarterback Bo Nix, and his touchdown early in the fourth quarter was actually a tipped pass intended for Sutton that Franklin was able secure in the back of the end zone. The Oregon product has been mostly underwhelming as a fantasy option for the past month, but his role as Denver's No. 2 wide receiver has earned him 46 targets through seven games. As long as he continues to see that kind of volume, Franklin will at least be a viable option for fantasy managers dealing with bye weeks. Next up for the Broncos is a home matchup against the Cowboys and their struggling pass defense.

Head coach Aaron Glenn hasn't announced his plans at quarterback for Sunday's game in Cincinnati, but the Jets are expected to name Taylor as their starter, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Glenn may not name a Week 8 starter until he meets with the media prior to Wednesday's practice, but the tea leaves appear to be pointing toward Taylor displacing the struggling Justin Fields atop the depth chart in the wake of the Jets' 0-7 start to the season. Taylor -- who previously started Week 3 against the Buccaneers while Fields missed the game due to a concussion -- entered in relief during this past Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Panthers in the third quarter, when Fields was benched after completing six of 12 pass attempts for 46 yards and losing 21 yards on three sacks. Taylor (10-for-22 for 126 yards and two interceptions, 12 yards lost on three sacks) wasn't much more effective in his five drives directing the offense, but the Jets could nonetheless look to the 36-year-old veteran to provide a spark after Fields had been held under 100 passing yards in three of his six starts to date.

Gray gathered in his only target for 28 yards during Sunday's 31-0 victory versus the Raiders.

Gray continued a trend that isn't particularly promising from a fantasy standpoint, logging two or fewer targets for the fourth consecutive contest. His 59 percent offensive snap share is around par for the course, but the Chiefs took a 21-0 lead into the halftime locker room and added 10 more points in the third quarter, leading to a run-heavy approach for much of the second half. Even in close games, Gray isn't involved enough in the game plan to warrant a roster spot in the majority of fantasy formats.

Jones (hamstring) didn't have his 21-day practice window opened Monday and appears unlikely to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursday against the Chargers.

Jones hasn't played since the Vikings' Sept. 14 loss to the Falcons due to a hamstring strain, but because he's now missed five weeks and four straight games while on injured reserve, he's eligible to return to the 53-man roster at any point. The Vikings haven't publicly commented on where exactly Jones stands in his recovery from the hamstring issue, but the team's decision not to include him on its initial Week 8 injury report suggests that he's not a serious candidate to suit up against the Chargers. Jordan Mason should continue to operate as Minnesota's clear lead back for as long as Jones remains sidelined.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he's "optimistic" that Austin (shoulder) will be able to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Austin has missed the Steelers' last two games with a shoulder injury, but Tomlin noted that the wideout has made enough progress in his recovery to be integrated back into practices this week. The extent of Austin's participation in practice will ultimately dictate whether he plays Sunday, but if the 26-year-old is able to turn in at least one full session by Friday, he'll have good odds of gaining clearance to suit up. Through four appearances this season, Austin has recorded 10 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets.

Sills didn't record a target across 28 offensive snaps during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers.

Despite playing 74 offensive snaps over the past three games, Sills hasn't garnered a single target. The only time he's made a dent in the box score came during Week 3, when he caught one of two targets for nine yards across 25 offensive snaps against the Panthers.

Washington caught one of two targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers.

Washington played a season-low 11 offensive snaps Sunday, fourth most among Atlanta's wideouts. He's garnered multiple targets in every game he's suited up for this season, but his only multi-catch game came in Week 1, when he secured three of six receptions for 33 yards against Tampa Bay.

Allgeier rushed four times for 16 yards during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers.

Allgeier was a non-factor Sunday and got banged up in the fourth quarter. He returned a few plays later but didn't see any more touches. In the Falcons' three wins, Allgeier has rushed 42 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns. In their losses, however, Allgeieer has totaled just 44 rushing yards on 15 attempts. When Atlanta gets behind, the game script limits Allgeier's fantasy value.

Smith carried 14 times for 39 yards and hauled in all five targets for 42 yards during Sunday's 31-0 win against the Raiders.

Smith logged more than four totes for the first time in his career Sunday, and he didn't really prove he's worthy of more, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. The increased workload was likely a direct result of the contest turning into a laugher relatively early; the Chiefs took a 21-0 lead into halftime and led 31-0 after the third quarter. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt remain squarely ahead of Smith in the pecking order, but Smith's receiving skills have allowed him to carve out a role in the backfield.

Thornton reeled in one of his two targets for 39 yards during Sunday's 31-0 victory over the Raiders.

Despite a strong start to the season in which Thornton turned in three touchdowns in the first four weeks, he has seen his playing time fall off from Week 4 on, as he's played less than half of the offensive snaps in each of the past four contests. With Rashee Rice back in the mix for Kansas City, the Chiefs don't have as much playing time to go around in the wideout room, so it's unlikely Thornton will see his role grow unless injuries hit the position group.