NFL Player News

Pierce caught one of two targets for 44 yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Bears.

Despite hauling in only one pass, Pierce led the Colts in receiving yards. The reception was already his third of the season of 40-plus yards, tying his career high, but his target volume took a big hit Sunday with Josh Downs (ankle) back in the lineup. Pierce could have trouble getting open deep in Week 4 against a stingy Steelers secondary.

Thielen (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's contest in Las Vegas, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

After connecting with QB Andy Dalton for a 31-yard touchdown snag late in the first half, Thielen stayed on the turf and was seen grabbing at his upper right leg, which was confirmed to be a hamstring injury. Thielen will end Week 3 action with three catches (on five targets) for 40 yards and a TD. With Thielen ruled out, Diontae Johnson should garner most of the attention from Dalton in the second half, while Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette and David Moore are the other healthy wide receivers on the Panthers' active roster.

Downs caught three of five targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Bears.

Making his 2024 debut after recovering from an ankle injury, Downs tied Michael Pittman for the team led in targets but didn't net much yardage, as Anthony Richardson continues to struggle with his accuracy on shorter routes. Downs' volume was at least encouraging, but he faces a tough test in Week 4 against the Steelers.

Pittman caught four of five targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Bears.

The wideout led the Colts in catches, but once again his volume didn't lead to much production as Anthony Richardson continues to misfire on shorter passes. Pittman has 11 receptions on 20 targets through three games, but they've resulted in only 88 yards and zero TDs. He'll have a hard time breaking out in Week 4 against the Steelers.

Thielen suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday's contest at Las Vegas, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thielen remained on the turf after his 31-yard touchdown reception late in the first half, grabbing at his upper right leg in the process. If he's unable to reenter Sunday's game, he'll wrap up Week 3 with three catches (on five targets) for 40 yards and the aforementioned score.

Shaheed didn't log any receptions on five targets during Sunday's 15-12 defeat to the Eagles.

Shaheed failed to connect with quarterback Derek Carr after the two linked up for touchdowns of 59 and 70 yards in the first two games of the season. The 26-year-old's target share didn't take any sort of dip Sunday. Instead, the Saints' offense finally hit its first snag after back-to-back blowout wins to start the season. Carr completed just 14 of 25 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown with one interception. The game-ending interception came when Carr targeted Shaheed on an ill-advised desperation pass deep with just under one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. The duo will look to get back on the same page when the Saints travel to Atlanta this coming Sunday, Sept. 29.

Moore caught eight of 10 targets for 78 yards in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Colts.

The veteran wideout actually finished third on the Bears in both receiving yards and targets behind Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet, as Caleb Williams erupted for 363 passing yards. More than half of Moore's production came on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half, when he caught a tipped ball at the one-yard line but couldn't get into the end zone. Moore has consistently been Williams' first read and has 28 targets through three games, and that volume could start turning into more production if the rookie quarterback is beginning to shake off his jitters. Moore will look to build on this performance in Week 4 against the Rams.

Humphrey brought in six of eight targets for 37 yards in the Broncos' 26-7 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Humphrey finished right behind Courtland Sutton for the team lead in receptions while also qualifying as a distant second to his teammate in receiving yards and as the runner-up in targets. Humphrey, who is well versed in head coach Sean Payton's offense from their time together in New Orleans, has quickly built chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, as the sixth-year pro now sports a 10-87 line on 13 targets over the last two games heading into a Week 4 road matchup against the Jets.

Odunze caught six of 11 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Colts.

He added two rushing yards on one carry. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw his first two career TDs, and his fellow 2024 draftee Odunze was on the other end of the first one, a one-yard strike in the fourth quarter. With Keenan Allen (heel) out, the wideout's 11 targets were more than he saw in the first two games combined, and Odunze's role in the Chicago offense -- and his chemistry with Williams -- continues to grow ahead of a Week 4 clash with the Rams.

Reynolds secured both targets for 36 yards in the Broncos' 26-7 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Reynolds got much fewer opportunities than both Courtland Sutton and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who combined for 19 targets. However, the veteran did have the longest pass play of the day for the Broncos, recording a 31-yard grab on the third play from scrimmage during Denver's game-opening touchdown march. Reynolds' experience has already served rookie signal-caller Bo Nix well on several occasions this season, as the 29-year-old wideout has posted an 11-174 line on 15 targets through the first three contests.