NFL Player News

Smith rushed twice for 30 yards and returned one punt for eight yards during Sunday's 20-15 win against the Raiders.

Smith showcased his speed in the third quarter, bursting on the outside and breaking off a 24-yard run that led to a Kyren Williams rushing touchdown one play later. Smith hasn't had a lot of opportunities to showcase his talents in a crowded Rams receiving corps, and Cooper Kupp (ankle) is likely to return Week 8 against the Vikings. This big play by Smith may end up being just a blip on the radar, while he is relegated back to strictly punt return duties for the Rams.

Johnson secured four of seven targets for 57 yards during Sunday's 20-15 victory against the Raiders.

With Jordan Whittington (shoulder) limited to a handful of snaps on offense, Johnson took over and saw his biggest usage on offense since Week 2. The biggest contribution from the veteran was a game-high 37-yard catch on third down that unfortunately led to no points after Joshua Karty missed a field-goal attempt. The uptick in usage is likely to be short-lived, however, with Whittington and Cooper Kupp (ankle) likely to rejoin the Rams' wideout ranks Week 8, which likely will push Johnson back down the depth chart.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Olave remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Olave was unable to suit up last Thursday versus Denver, and he'll still need to gain full clearance -- including from an independent neurologist -- in order to be eligible to play Sunday versus the Chargers. With Rashid Shaheed having undergone season-ending knee surgery and the availability of quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) still uncertain for Week 8, it would provide a key boost for New Orleans' offense if Olave managed to gain clearance in time to play in Los Angeles. Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson and Bub Means otherwise will be in line to lead the Saints' wide receiver room.

Robinson secured one of three targets for nine yards during Sunday's 20-15 victory over the Raiders.

Robinson tied with Tyler Johnson for the most playing time among wideouts, with 50 of 55 snaps played on offense, but Johnson (seven targets, four catches for 57 yards) and Tutu Atwell (nine targets, six catches for 51 yards) commanded the lion's share of Matthew Stafford's attention. Even with Jordan Whittington (shoulder) limited to just nine snaps and no targets, Robinson's role didn't expand, and his usage likely will continue to decrease as Cooper Kupp (ankle) is expected to return for a Week 8 contest against the Vikings.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't be available Week 8 versus the Raiders, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Smith-Schuster was forced out of Sunday's win over the 49ers after playing just seven offensive snaps and before logging a single target. The veteran wideout appeared to aggravate the hamstring injury he'd dealt with in practice Thursday and Friday leading up to the contest against San Francisco. That will leave Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore as Patrick Mahomes' top wideouts against Las Vegas, with Smith-Schuster's next chance to play coming Week 9 at home against the Buccaneers.

Melton had one reception for eight yards and one carry for minus-1 yard in Sunday's 24-22 victory over the Texans.

Melton's snap count was boosted in both Weeks 5 and 6 with four of his fellow receivers either dealing with injuries or sitting out altogether, but he was on the field for only eight offensive snaps Sunday with Green Bay's full complement of wideouts available. His role figures to remain limited if the options surrounding him stay the same.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that the workload Kupp (ankle) will handle during Thursday's game against the Vikings is "to be determined," Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

McVay said he's "definitely excited to have [Kupp] back" from his four-game absence, but it sounds like the veteran wideout may be operating on some amount of a snap count Thursday. Coming out of Los Angeles' bye, Kupp managed three consecutive limited practices before being ruled out for Week 7. Even if not yet ready to command a full assortment of reps, Kupp's return to the field will provide a significant boost to a wide receiver corps also housing Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and Xavier Smith. Puka Nacua (knee) has yet to be designated for a return to practice from IR.

Bourne was on the field for 37 of a possible 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Jaguars, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

In his third game since being activated from the PUP list in advance of Week 5 action, Bourne caught one of his two targets for 14 yards. It's possible that as the wideout further distances himself from the knee injury that previously sidelined him, Bourne could see his volume increase as the season progresses, but until that happens, he's off the fantasy radar.

Boutte reeled in one of his two targets for a 33-yard reception while playing 50 of the Patriots' 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Jaguars.

Boutte, who was in the starting lineup once again Sunday, led the Patriots wideouts in playing time for the second consecutive game. With the 2023 sixth-round pick having begun to carve out a steady role in New England's offense, Boutte is a player who could soon merit fantasy lineup consideration if he's able to parlay his playing time into increased on-field chemistry (and in turn, added production) with rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Washington returned a kickoff for 27 yards and ran back a punt for a 96-yard touchdown in Sunday's 32-16 win against the Patriots.

His coaches may not have been thrilled when they saw Washington field a punt from his own four-yard line inside the two-minute warning of the first half, but he quickly allayed any concerns when he brought it all the way to the end zone to put the Jaguars up 21-10. He also tied his season high in offensive snaps Sunday with 21, but he still projects to contribute primarily as a returner versus the Packers in Week 8.