NFL Player News

Johnson secured four of nine targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the Lions on Monday night.

Johnson tied for second in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night for the Buccaneers, and he recorded his second career touchdown on a 22-yard grab with just under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. The rookie now has a pair of four-catch tallies in the last three games, and given Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone in addition to a concussion in Monday night's loss, Johnson could be set for an elevated role for the remainder of the season, especially if Chris Godwin (fibula) also continues to miss time.

Dean finished Monday's Week 7 loss to the Lions with two tackles (one solo) and an interception.

While Dean had a quiet game from a tackling perspective, he made a big impact with an interception of Jared Goff late in the second quarter. That pickoff took away what had looked like a Detroit scoring opportunity and was converted into a Tampa Bay field goal as time expired in the first half. Dean has recorded a pickoff in two straight games and in three of his past four contests. The three interceptions are already a career-best mark for the veteran cornerback.

Okonkwo recorded zero receptions (on two targets) in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Patriots.

Okonkwo maintained his typical allotment of snaps, as he was on the field for 61 percent of offensive plays. However, his role as a pass catcher was diminished relative to Gunnar Helm, who was the far superior receiver in the loss. Okonkwo has at least four catches in four of seven games this season, so this performance was likely an anomaly.

Helm recorded four receptions (on five targets) for 36 yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Patriots.

Helm tied for second on the team with five targets, also matching his highest mark of the season. He was notably far more involved than Chig Okonkwo, who was targeted only twice and didn't record a reception. All of the Tennessee's pass catchers will be inconsistent due to the poor state of the offense, though Helm has show some promise in recent weeks.

Williams failed to bring in either of his two targets in Monday's 24-9 win over Tampa Bay.

The usually sure-handed Williams failed to haul in either of his targets on a low-volume passing night dominated by Detroit's run game. The 24-year-old has been a hit-or-miss fantasy asset through seven weeks, doing most of his damage in two big-scoring games. Williams couldn't improve on his 17-289-2 receiving line Monday as the Lions prepare to enter a bye week. The Alabama product should continue to be treated as a risky high-upside play against the Vikings in Week 9.

LaPorta finished with three receptions on as many targets for 15 yards in Monday's 24-9 win over the Buccaneers.

LaPorta came out of Monday's primetime matchup with his worst receiving line of the season. The 24-year-old's targets and yardage both represented new lows in seven starts this year. LaPorta's dud comes on the heels of the tight end's best two fantasy outings in which he scored a touchdown apiece, so managers should hang tight through the Lions' upcoming bye week. Detroit resumes play against Minnesota on Sunday, Nov. 2 in Week 9.

Otton secured seven of nine targets for 65 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the Lions on Monday night.

Otton led the Buccaneers in receptions and receiving yards while tying for second in targets. The veteran tight end benefited from the absence of Chris Godwin (fibula) and the early exit of Mike Evans (concussion/collarbone), which helped lead to Otton's season-high catch total. Otton also had what appeared to be a reception ultimately deemed an interception, but he could be due for another busy day in a Week 8 road divisional clash against the Saints if Godwin remains out and exacerbates the confirmed absence of Evans.

Montgomery was held to 21 yards on 13 carries while catching two of three targets for 18 yards in Monday's 24-9 win over the Buccaneers.

Jahmyr Gibbs went off for 218 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on Monday Night Football, leaving scraps for Montgomery's fantasy managers in Week 7. The latter still received 15 touches, highlighting his continued involvement in Detroit's two-pronged backfield. Both talented rushers have recorded a game with 100-plus yards this season, with Gibbs having the edge in total yards (+269) and touchdowns (+3). Montgomery may not be as tantalizing an asset as Gibbs, but he should continue providing flex value in fantasy when the Lions resume play Week 9.

Goff completed 20 of 29 pass attempts for 241 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding two rush attempts for seven yards and a lost fumble in Monday's 24-9 win over the Buccaneers.

Goff was able to lead his team to victory on Monday Night Football, but it came at the expense of his first multi-turnover game of the season. It also was the veteran signal-caller's third time scoring one touchdown or less this year. Goff has thrown 12 touchdowns to just one interception in his four other starts, so his whole body of work has been positive as Detroit enters its Week 8 bye. The 30-year-old should continue to be treated as a starting-level option in fantasy when the Lions host the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Ayomanor recorded two receptions (on five targets) for 29 yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Patriots.

Ayomanor had a chance to step up in the absence of Calvin Ridley (hamstring), but it was Chimere Dike who instead had a relatively big performance. Ayomanor managed to tie for second on the team in targets, but he had a very quiet day after recording a 20-yard catch on the Titans' opening possession. He now has fewer than 30 receiving yards in three straight games.