NFL Player News

McCloud caught six of seven targets for 52 yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Saints. He also returned two kicks for 39 yards.

Kirk Cousins attempted a season-high 35 passes Sunday, allowing McCloud to notch season highs in targets and receptions. The slot wideout has seen at least five targets in three of the first four games, totaling 146 yards on 13 receptions during those contests. Kyle Pitts was held without a catch on three targets versus New Orleans and hasn't developed a rapport with Cousins yet, and until that happens, McCloud should continue to benefit. McCloud has played all but four of Atlanta's offensive snaps over the past three weeks.

Mooney caught three of six targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Saints.

After a quiet Week 1, Mooney has been a critical part of the Falcons' passing attack, racking up 14 receptions (on 21 targets) over the last three weeks. The veteran wideout has averaged 15.0 yards per catch thus far, which is a career-high mark. Former top-10 picks Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts should theoretically lead Atlanta's offense every week, but that hasn't always been the case. Pitts didn't record a reception on three targets Sunday, while Robinson had only one more touch than backup RB Tyler Allgeier. It appears like Kirk Cousins has developed a nice rapport with Mooney, and that should continue moving forward, especially if the Falcons find themselves behind in games and resort to a pass-happy script. Cousins threw a season-high 35 passes versus New Orleans and is averaging 29.8 attempts per game on the season.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that the status of Adams (hamstring) for Sunday's game against the Broncos will depend on what he's able to do in practice this week, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Adams has been described as week-to-week due to the hamstring injury that kept him from suiting up for Las Vegas' 20-16 win over the Browns in Week 4, but it sounds like the standout receiver hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 5. As such, Adams' practice status on Wednesday's first official injury report of the week could be telling as to his chances of suiting up. Jakobi Meyers drew 10 targets with Adams sidelined versus Denver, while Tre Tucker was targeted six times and managed to score a rushing TD. Both players will figure to continue handling increased roles until Adams is cleared to return.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that Rice (knee) will not be available Week 5 against the Saints and that tests have not yet confirmed the severity of his injury, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Kansas City reportedly fears that Rice suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's 17-10 win over the Chargers, but the extent of the standout receiver's issue hasn't yet been fully confirmed. Rice was carted off the field early Sunday as the result of quarterback Patrick Mahomes colliding with his knee, with both players attempting to make a tackle in the aftermath of an interception. A serious injury for Rice would constitute a brutal blow for an offense already thin at the skill positions, especially with fellow starting wideout Hollywood Brown (shoulder) not expected to return until the postseason, at the earliest, and starting running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) recovering from surgery and not expected to come off IR until at least late October. Travis Kelce and rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy figure to act as the centerpieces of Kansas City's passing game as long as Rice is sidelined, while Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman also stand to see their roles grow.

Dell (chest) is expected to suit up versus the Bills in Week 5, barring any setbacks, Will Kunkel of FOX 26 Houston reports.

Dell was held out of the Texans' 24-20 win over Jacksonville on Sunday due to a chest injury, which kept him sidelined at practice last Wednesday through Friday. The second-year pro is expected to rejoin Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs atop Houston's wide receiver corps versus Buffalo in Week 5, as long as he can avoid an aggravation of the issue. It will bode well for Dell's status if he's able to practice in at least a limited capacity Wednesday. Per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called Dell "day-to-day."

Austin secured his lone target for 17 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to Indianapolis.

Austin tallied a career-high 95 receiving yards during last week's win over the Chargers, but he didn't see as much work during Sunday's Week 4 defeat. Despite his encouraging performance Week 3, Austin has been limited to just one catch in three of the first four games of the regular season and hasn't yet established himself as a consistent fantasy option.

Jefferson secured two of three targets for 21 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts.

Jefferson didn't see much playing time in last week's win over the Chargers due to an eye injury, but he was on the field for 86 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, which was tied with George Pickens for the most among the team's receivers. However, Jefferson hasn't seen a significant target share, as he hasn't been targeted more than three times in any of the team's first four games. While Jefferson's playing time has been encouraging, he hasn't yet established himself as a fantasy-relevant option in the Steelers' lackluster offensive attack.

Davis caught one of five targets for minus-2 yards in Jacksonville's 24-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Davis entered the weekend officially listed as 'questionable' due to a shoulder injury, and though he managed to suit up Sunday, he logged his worst day in a Jaguars uniform. Meanwhile, both Christian Kirk (7-61-1) and rookie Brian Thomas (6-86-1) connected with quarterback Trevor Lawrence for touchdowns. Davis was better in Jacksonville's first two regular-season games, in which he averaged 90-plus offensive snaps and 52.5 receiving yards. In two contests since, he's hovered below 80 percent of snaps and racked up just 16 receiving yards on 11 targets. Davis will look to bounce back versus the Colts in Week 5.

Pinckney was cut from the Panthers' practice squad Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Pinckney had just signed with Carolina on Wednesday, but the reunion will not last. The Coastal Carolina product has been in and out of the Panthers' organization three times now since signing with them as an undrafted free agent in May.

Heath caught both his targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 31-29 loss to the Vikings.

He stepped in after Christian Watson (ankle) left Sunday's contest, and Heath picked up his first two catches of the season. Watson seems likely to miss time with his injury, and if he does Heath and Bo Melton will both be candidates to play an expanded role behind the trio of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.