NFL Player News

Austin secured one of two targets for six yards during Sunday's 13-6 win over Denver.

Austin saw limited looks in the passing game once again Sunday, but he exited Sunday's Week 2 matchup in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit that drew an unnecessary roughness call, per Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com. Austin went to the blue medical tent before emerging with his helmet on, but he didn't return to the game. The exact nature of his injury is unclear, and whether he'll be available for next Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Chargers remains to be seen. Despite Austin's limited work in the passing game, he returned five punts for a total of 27 yards. If he's unable to suit up against the Chargers, Scotty Miller is a candidate to see increased work for Pittsburgh, both on offense and as a punt returner.

Jefferson secured two of his three targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 13-6 win over the Broncos.

Jefferson saw plenty of playing time for a second consecutive week, as he was on the field for 82 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, which led the team's wide receivers. The Rams second-rounder in 2020 was called for offensive pass interference in the closing seconds of the first half that nullified a touchdown, but he recorded a catch on the next play and nearly took the ball to the end zone. Jefferson has secured just three of five targets for 15 yards over the first two weeks of the regular season as part of the team's lackluster passing attack, but his early-season snap counts have been encouraging.

Gipson wasn't targeted in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans. He had two kickoff returns for 57 yards and three punt returns for 35 yards.

Gipson's snap share on offense plummeted from 59 to 11 percent, corresponding with an increase from 18 to 65 percent for Mike Williams. As long as Williams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are healthy, those three are poised to operate in the majority of three-receiver sets, leaving Gipson relegated primarily to a special-teams role.

Corley caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans.

For a second consecutive week, Corley was on the field for only one snap, but he was targeted on that play this time, resulting in his first NFL catch. The rookie third-round draft pick isn't seeing the field enough to be an impact player at this stage of his career, and Corley's unlikely to see a significant increase in usage Thursday against the Patriots.

Mingo caught one of his two targets for one yard during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers.

The 23-year-old wideout has had an unimpressive start to his sophomore campaign, logging just three catches for 41 yards over the first two games. Mingo did out-snap rookie Xavier Legette (30 to 20) after playing behind him in Week 1, but it ultimately won't matter much if Carolina's offense continues to struggle. Expect Mingo to have a hard time finding fantasy relevance working as the Panthers' No. 3 or 4 wide receiver when the team travels to Las Vegas in Week 3.

Legette wasn't targeted during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers.

After head coach Dave Canales raved about Legette's Week 1 performance (4-35-0) to reporters Wednesday, the 2024 first-round pick didn't even see a target in Week 2. Legette was on the field for just 20 offensive snaps Sunday, playing behind Jonathan Mingo (30), Diontae Johnson (45) and Adam Thielen (45). With Legette's inconsistent playing time and the Panthers offensive struggles through the first two weeks, it may be tough for the rookie to make an impact as Carolina takes on the Raiders in Week 3.

Lazard caught two of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans.

Lazard came back down to earth after a two-touchdown season debut. He played 82 percent of the offensive snaps, but Mike Williams' snap share jumped from 18 to 65 percent, and the former Charger figures to surpass Lazard as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson once he's fully up to speed. Lazard's proficient blocking and chemistry with Aaron Rodgers should keep him on the field, but the sell-high window on the veteran wideout may have already slammed shut ahead of Thursday's home opener against the Patriots.

Williams caught his only target for 19 yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans.

While Williams remained quiet on the stat sheet, he saw a substantial bump in usage, playing 65 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps after being on the field for only 18 percent in Week 1. His lone catch was an important one, as Williams came down with a jump ball along the sideline to get the Jets out of a 2nd-and-16 pickle on a fourth-quarter drive that culminated in Braelon Allen's game-winning touchdown run. Williams' usage is being ramped up as he puts last year's ACL tear further behind him, and it wouldn't be surprising if he surpassed Allen Lazard (82 percent snap share) in playing time Thursday against the Patriots.

St. Brown exited with about 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Buccaneers due to a leg contusion and cramping, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

St. Brown missed the Lions' final five plays of the contest due to a possible lower-body issue, but the wideout seems to have escaped Week 2 action without any serious harm. That said, St. Brown's status nonetheless merits monitoring ahead of this coming Sunday's game against the Cardinals. After being limited to three catches for 13 yards in the Lions' Week 1 overtime win over the Rams, Brown bounced back in Sunday's contest with 11 receptions for 119 yards on 19 targets.

Hutchinson did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Bears.

Hutchinson played just nine snaps, which was the same amount as veteran Robert Woods, and the team's top three wideouts have dominated the targets and playing time through two games. Hutchinson has one catch on two targets for three yards thus far in 2024.