NFL Player News

Jefferson finished with five receptions on 10 targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Packers.

The Vikings started Jaren Hall at quarterback against the Packers in a desperate attempt to save the team's fleeting playoff hopes. The move backfired after the rookie turned the ball over twice before halftime, prompting a switch back to Nick Mullens in the second half. Jefferson's pedestrian fantasy line was the result of the Vikings' debacle at the QB position following Kirk Cousins' (Achilles) season-ending injury. The star wideout did see 10 targets for the third week in a row while pacing his club in receptions and yards, but the only touchdown produced from either quarterback went to tight end Johnny Mundt. After the game head coach Kevin O'Connell did not comment on who his starting quarterback would be next week, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. While neither of Sunday's options are ideal when it comes to maximizing Jefferson's immense talent, it is worth noting that Mullens was the starter in the Week 16 loss to Detroit when the wideout went off for 141 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings will be facing those very same Lions in Week 18 to close out the 2023 regular season.

Pickens recorded seven receptions on nine targets for 131 yards in Sunday's 30-23 win over the Seahawks.

Pickens continued to show rapport with Mason Rudolph, topping 100 receiving yards for the second consecutive game. That production came primarily on a trio of long gains of 37, 34 and 24 yards, though Pickens has also been his target volume tick back up in recent weeks as he's seen at least six opportunities in four straight contests. That bodes well for his potential to produce again in a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Ravens.

Flowers brought in all three targets for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 56-19 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Flowers got behind the Dolphins' short-handed secondary for a 75-yard touchdown late in the first half that extended the Ravens' 14-13 lead at the time. The rookie wideout's yardage total was a new career high, and if Flowers does indeed sit with some other Ravens starters in Week 18 now that Baltimore has clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed, he'll finish his first regular season with an impressive 77-858-5 line across 16 games.

Rice recorded five receptions on six targets for 127 yards in Sunday's 25-17 win over the Bengals.

Despite having targets split fairly evenly across several pass catchers, Rice emerged as the top pass catcher for the Chiefs in Sunday's win. His most impactful play of the game was a 67-yard catch down the right sideline late in the third quarter when he got behind the Bengals' secondary to help set up a field goal. That play also marked Rice's longest gain of the season and helped him to his second 100-yard performance in his last six contests. He also has three touchdowns in that span.

Humphrey caught two of four targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-9 win over the Chargers.

Humphrey made the play of the game in the second quarter when he took a short pass from Jarrett Stidham and proceeded to juke and jive his way past several certain tackle opportunities before extending the ball past the goal line for a 54-yard touchdown. It was the only touchdown either team would record Sunday. It would have also counted as the game-winning score in hockey after the wideout's incredible play gave Denver a lead it would never surrender. While Humphrey had the best game out of any receiver, it is important to point out that his four targets finished third for the Broncos behind starters Jerry Jeudy and Brandon Johnson. Perhaps Humphrey's impressive catch and run will earn him more snaps and targets when the Broncos visit the Raiders in Week 18.

Reed (chest) will not return to Sunday's game against the Vikings, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Reed was not spotted on the sideline coming out of the locker room for the second half and has now been ruled out. Prior to exiting, he delivered six receptions for 89 yards and two scores, helping the Packers build an extensive lead over their division rival. Reed will now turn his attention to a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Bears.

Johnston had three receptions (six targets) for 29 yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to Denver.

The Chargers were without their three receivers who figured to be their primary options at the start of the season, so Johnston finished as one of three replacement wideouts to see six or more targets Sunday. The first-round rookie failed to capitalize on the added opportunity, posting his third consecutive game of 30 or fewer receiving yards. Johnston's role and fantasy value should remain unchanged heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs.

Metcalf recorded five catches on eight targets for 106 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Steelers.

Metcalf led Seattle with eight targets and took advantage of a depleted Steelers safety corps with long receptions of 33 and 32 yards. That helped him tally his third 100-yard receiving game of the season, while also topping 1,000 yards for the campaign. In five pro seasons, Metcalf now has topped the century mark on three occasions and has a minimum of 900 yards in each of those five campaigns.

Erickson made seven receptions on eight targets for 98 yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Broncos.

A slew of injuries to the Chargers' receiving corps opened the door for Erickson to secure a bigger role on offense in recent weeks. The undrafted Wisconsin product took full advantage of that opportunity Sunday, when he finished as his team's leading receiver across the board. The Chargers aren't getting healthier anytime soon, so Erickson should have another opportunity to put his skills on display against the Chiefs in Week 18.

Chase recorded three receptions on seven targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Chiefs.

Chase returned from a one-game absence caused by a shoulder injury, and he managed to tie for the team lead in targets. However, outside of a 24-yard reception on the team's second offensive possession, he was erased from making an impact on the game. With the Bengals now eliminated from playoff contention, the team may opt to protect Chase's health and either rest him or limit his snaps in a Week 18 matchup against the Browns.