NFL Player News
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Malik Heath WR | ATL
Packers' Malik Heath: Tacks on three receptions
Heath was targeted four times and caught three passes for nine yards in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Bears.
Heath opened Sunday's contest as the fifth option at the wideout spot, and he finished it fourth with fellow wideout Romeo Doubs (chest) exiting early. Heath caught at least one pass in the final eight games of the regular season, but he will remain primarily a depth piece when the playoffs get underway.
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D.J. Montgomery WR | IND
Colts' D.J. Montgomery: No targets in season finale
Montgomery recorded three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown on eight targets over seven games in 2023.
All of Montgomery's production this season actually came over the course of just two games in Weeks 15 and 16 versus the Steelers and at Atlanta, respectively. It was the first year of his NFL career in which he played more than 100 offensive snaps. Montgomery will now compete for a spot on the Colts' 53-man roster for 2024.
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Rashod Bateman WR | BAL
Ravens' Rashod Bateman: No targets in Week 18
Rashod Bateman was not targeted on 27 snaps in Saturday's loss to the Steelers.
With Tyler Huntley in at quarterback and Lamar Jackson resting for the postseason, Baltimore's passing game was always going to look different in Week 18. That proved to be true, as running back Justice Hill led the team with twice as many targets (10) as any other Baltimore pass catcher. Huntley averages just 6.1 yards downfield on his throws while Bateman's average depth of target checks in at 14.1 yards, so his routes were not run in areas of the field that Huntley often looks to throw. Prior to Week 18, Bateman had averaged five targets per game over his last five outings, catching 12 of them for 152 yards and no touchdowns. Bateman and the Ravens will be idle this week before returning to action in the divisional round of the playoffs.
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Romeo Doubs WR | NE
Packers' Romeo Doubs: Considered day-to-day
Coach Matt LaFleur said Doubs (chest) is day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game against the Bears, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Doubs was injured when he was unable to come down with a would-be touchdown grab in the first quarter versus Chicago. The wideout spent part of the game being evaluated at the local hospital but was able to return to the locker room before the end of the contest. Green Bay's wideout depth chart is deep, even with Doubs and Christian Watson (hamstring) banged up. Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath soaked up the receiver work Sunday.
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Bo Melton CB | GB
Packers' Bo Melton: Another productive appearance
Melton had five receptions for 62 yards and two carries for 14 yards in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Bears.
Melton did not start Sunday's contest, but he wound up leading Packers wideouts with 45 snaps and tying for the team lead in targets. He made a major mark late in the campaign, tallying 22 targets, 15 receptions, 211 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown, three carries and 21 rushing yards over the final three weeks of the regular season. His prospects continue to hinge on the availability of those above him on the depth chart, but he has proven he can be relied upon when called on.
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Tyler Johnson WR | DAL
Rams' Tyler Johnson: Scores first touchdown since 2020
Johnson secured two of three targets for eight yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 21-20 victory against San Francisco.
With the Rams resting players, Johnson was activated from the practice squad for the second time this season and made his first appearance in a game since 2022 count. Carson Wentz threw a dart to Johnson in the back of the end zone on a crucial third down, giving Johnson an eight-yard touchdown catch, his first score since his rookie campaign with Tampa Bay in 2020. The Rams are firmly entrenched with Cooper Kupp (coach's decision), Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson as their starters and have Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Austin Trammell as backups, so Johnson's time on the main roster this season is likely over barring an injury in the playoffs.
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Tutu Atwell WR | MIA
Rams' Tutu Atwell: Miserable day as starter
Atwell caught two of four targets for seven yards and rushed once for minus-4 yards during Sunday's 21-20 victory against San Francisco. He also recorded a two-point conversion.
With Cooper Kupp (coach's decision) out and Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson's time on the field capped to keep them healthy for the playoffs, Atwell took the field for 64 of the Rams' 67 snaps on offense, his highest snap share since Week 8 against the Cowboys. Despite the increased role, Atwell managed only a pair of short gains on his two catches, and another pass attempt from quarterback Carson Wentz went straight through Atwell's hands and was intercepted by 49ers safety Tayler Hawkins. While a 39-483-3 receiving line over 16 games this season is an improvement over the Louisville product's rookie campaign, it still has to be considered a disappointment given the expectation of a much bigger role for Atwell. The rise of Robinson in recent weeks as a starter alongside Kupp and Nacua has relegated Atwell to a backup role entering the playoffs.
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Gabe Davis WR | BUF
Bills' Gabe Davis: Dealing with sprained PCL
Davis (knee) was diagnosed Modnay with a sprained PCL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The injury isn't considered major, Rapoport adds, while noting that Davis' status for Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Steelers has yet to be determined. Davis exited in the first half of this past Sunday's win over the Dolphins and was ruled out at halftime, returning to the sideline in street clothes to watch the rest of the game. Khalil Shakir and Trent Sherfield took on larger offensive roles in Davis' absence and would do so again if Davis sits out the playoff opener.
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Jameson Williams WR | DET
Lions' Jameson Williams: Expected to play versus Los Angeles
Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Williams (ankle/illness) is expected to be good to play Sunday against the Rams, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
Williams missed practice last Wednesday with an ankle injury and then came down with an illness Thursday. He sat out the Week 18 finale against the Vikings but is expected to practice this week leading up to Sunday's playoff game. Williams could take on a bigger target workload if Sam LaPorta (knee) is unable to play.