NFL Player News

Leonard could be an option to start the Colts' regular-season finale next Sunday against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Coach Shane Steichen said he'll make a decision on the Week 18 starter Tuesday. Indianapolis was officially eliminated from playoff contention Saturday when the Texans defeated the Chargers, but after Philip Rivers went through practice all week as the starter, the 44-year-old veteran got the nod for Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars. With Indy having blown a 7-1 start to the season and now sitting at home for the postseason, the team may use Week 18 to get a look at Leonard, a sixth-round rookie who has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards and a pair of interceptions so far in the NFL, including one INT on a Hail Mary at the end of Week 17's loss to the Jaguars. He's added six yards and one touchdown on three carries, but he showed more mobility in college, running for an impressive 906 yards and 17 TDs as a senior with the Fighting Irish. As it stands, Leonard should probably be viewed as the favorite to start against Houston next Sunday.

Chism caught both of his targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-10 win over the Jets.

Chism logged a season-high 41 snaps on offense in the contest, with the absences of Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) and slot man DeMario Douglas being limited to nine snaps due to a hamstring issue both being factors in Chism's elevated playing time. Though Boutte may be back for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins, Chism's expanded role could carry into Week 18, especially if Douglas continues to manage his hamstring injury. With the No. 1 seed in the AFC still within their grasp, however, the Patriots are unlikely to rest key players ahead of the postseason and give even bigger roles to youngsters like Chism.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said after Saturday's 41-24 loss to the Ravens that Love (concussion) will resume starting over Malik Willis (shoulder) when healthy, but he declined to confirm whether the team would rest any players during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

"[Love] is our franchise quarterback," LaFleur said, "and when he is healthy, he's going to be our starter." Willis was forced out late Week 17 versus Baltimore and replaced by third-string quarterback Clayton Tune, which leaves Green Bay's QB situation very murky heading into Week 18. While Willis reportedly could have returned Saturday had the game still been close, the Packers are already locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, giving LaFleur plenty of incentive to allow both banged-up signal-callers a week to rest even if they are cleared to play versus Minnesota.

Hooper caught both of his targets for 11 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-10 win over the Jets.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Hooper logged 27 of 66 snaps on offense, while Hunter Henry saw 43 snaps and caught all three of his targets for 49 yards and a TD. As long as Henry remains healthy, Hooper -- who heads into Week 18 with a 20-258-3 receiving line in 15 games -- will be a TD-dependent dart throw in Week 18 against the Dolphins.

Legette caught his lone target for three yards during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Despite the fact that the second-year wideout saw a sizeable workload (28 offensive snaps) during Sunday's loss, seven other Panthers topped Legette in receiving yards on the day. His role in Carolina's receiving corps appears to be shrinking, as he's caught just five of nine targets for 55 yards across the team's last four games. On the season, Legette has amassed 341 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions. He's expected to operate as the Panthers' No. 3 wideout in a Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers with the NFC South, and a playoff spot, on the line with a Carolina win. Note that the Panthers can also win the division if the Falcons win their next two games, no matter what Carolina does in the finale.

Horn caught both of his targets for nine yards during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

The 23-year-old recorded the second-most receiving yards on the Panthers during the Week 17 loss, trailing just Jalen Coker (2-16-0). Horn has now received at least one offensive touch in each of Carolina's last three games, suggesting his role is growing as the season progresses. Across 13 appearances, he's caught 10 of 14 targets for 93 yards while rushing eight times for 69 yards. Expect Carolina to continue utilizing Horn's speed in the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers on Saturday.

Tremble caught his lone target for six yards during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Tremble tied Chuba Hubbard for the third-most receiving yards on the Panthers during Sunday's loss, as the Seahawks' defense held Carolina to just 54 passing yards. Tremble, a fourth-year pro from Notre Dame, has now caught 24 of 33 targets for 211 yards and a touchdown across 16 appearances this season. With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) out for the rest of the year, Tremble will likely have an expanded role as a pass catcher in the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers on Saturday.

Evans caught one of two targets for five yards and rushed once for one yard during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Evans led the Panthers' tight end room in targets for the second consecutive game during Sunday's loss, but it didn't translate to production. The rookie from Notre Dame has now caught 18 of 23 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns while appearing in all 16 of Carolina's games this season. He could be in line for more receiving work in the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers, as Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) is sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Etienne played three of the Panthers' 52 offensive snaps and tallied 91 kick-return yards during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Etienne hasn't received a carry since the Panthers' Week 11 win over the Falcons, playing just nine offensive snaps over the team's last five games. The Georgia product has operated as Carolina's top return man this season, recording 733 punt-return yards and 160 kick-return yards across 16 appearances. Expect the rookie running back to contribute primarily on special teams while Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard handle the Panthers' backfield duties in the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers on Saturday.

Tremayne failed to haul in his lone target while playing eight of the Panthers' 52 offensive snaps during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Tremayne has now gone without a catch in each of the Panthers' last five games, though he received his first target since the Week 11 win over the Falcons during Sunday's loss. Across 15 appearances this season, the Stanford product has caught 12 of 16 targets for 133 yards. He's expected to continue playing a depth role in Carolina's receiving corps while also contributing on special teams during the Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers.