NFL Player News

Shakir caught all four of his targets for 39 yards and carried once for 10 yards in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Patriots.

Since posting three catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in Week 11, Shakir hasn't topped 47 receiving yards in the ensuing five games and remains a fantasy option only in deep leagues while he's stuck in an offense with many mouths to feed. With the Bills possibly having everything on the line for a playoff spot Sunday against the Dolphins and at the very least having important seeding at stake, Shakir doesn't project to see an expanded role while Buffalo has all its key players suit up. On a brighter note for his longer-term outlook, Shakir has firmly cemented himself as the team's No. 3 wideout in just his second NFL season.

Shorter (hamstring) had his 21-day practice window closed Wednesday, and he'll remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Shorter was designated to return from IR on Dec. 13, but he was unable to find his way onto the 53-man roster. Since his practice window has closed, he is now forced back onto injured reserve and will not be able to play or practice with the team for the remainder of the campaign. The 2023 fifth-round selection did not play a regular-season game with the Bills this year but will work to return healthy next season and carve out a regular role for himself in the team's receiving corps then.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Mooney remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Mooney sat out Chicago's Week 17 win over the Falcons and remains in the protocol as the Bears prepare to face the Packers in their season finale this Sunday. With Chicago eliminated from playoff contention and Mooney set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the team has little incentive to rush the wide receiver back into action unless he's able to clear the five-step protocol in advance of the weekend.

The Jaguars designated Kirk (groin) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

The move opens a 21-day window in which Kirk can practice without being on the active roster. The Jaguars reportedly hope to have him back for Sunday's game against Tennessee, but it's far from a sure thing with the wide receiver less than a month removed from core-muscle surgery. Kirk would need to be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play Week 18, and it isn't yet clear if he would be catching passes from Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) or C.J. Beathard if available. The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South title with a win this week, while a loss either leaves them as the No. 7 seed or out of the playoffs entirely.

Irwin caught one of the two targets for four yards in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Chiefs.

Irwin played 50 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps Sunday, his highest snap share since Week 12. Despite the increased playing time, the veteran wideout was essentially an afterthought on offense. In a crowded receiver room with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Andrei Iosivas, Irwin is an untrustworthy option for fantasy, as the Bengals wrap up their season against the Browns in Week 18.

Iosivas failed to record a single target in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Chiefs.

After being targeted eight times in Week 16, Iosivas was a complete nonfactor Sunday. With fellow receiver Ja'Marr Chase returning to action following a shoulder injury, the rookie was relegated to a reserve role and played just 20 of the Bengals' 74 offensive snaps. Iosivas remains off the fantasy radar for a Week 18 matchup with the Browns.

Samuel secured three of four targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.

Samuel played just 50 percent of the Commanders' offensive snaps Sunday, his lowest snap share since Week 11, when he was ejected for his role in a fight in the second quarter of that contest. As the veteran wideout continues to produce inconsistently this season, he remains a sub-optimal fantasy option heading into a matchup with the Cowboys in Week 18.

Dotson failed to reel in his lone target in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.

Dotson was held without a catch Sunday for the third time this season, despite playing the second most offensive snaps (39) at wideout behind Terry McLaurin (41). With a streak of underwhelming performances down the stretch this season, the veteran receiver remains an untrustworthy option for fantasy lineups heading into a Week 18 matchup with the Cowboys.

Moore caught three of four passes for 26 yards and had two carries for eight yards during Sunday's 35-31 win at Philadelphia.

Moore hasn't been lacking for snaps this season, earning at least a 60 percent share in 14 of 16 games, but his output has been disappointing as evidenced by just five outings with 40-plus yards from scrimmage. With Kyler Murray directing the offense since Week 10 and multiple Cardinals WRs dealing with injuries during that span, Moore hasn't made much of a mark, totaling 16 catches on 24 targets, six carries, 216 total yards and one receiving TD in seven contests. The wideout will seek a more appealing performance Sunday against a Seahawks defense that has conceded the eighth-most receptions (210) to wide receivers this season.

Guyton played three offensive snaps and didn't see any targets in Sunday's loss to Denver.

Guyton had already seen his opportunities decline in recent weeks, and he played a season-low 25 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps against Buffalo last Saturday. However, he was wiped out of the gameplan almost entirely against the Broncos, taking the field for just three snaps. The lack of playing time Sunday came even as top wideouts Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) were unable to suit up, further emphasizing Guyton's dropoff since he posted a promising four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in this second game of the season Week 10 versus Detroit.