NFL Player News

Slater (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Broncos.

It marks the first time since 2017 that the Patriots' key special-teamer has missed a game. The team elevated Breon Borders to the active roster, who could fill in for Slater in Sunday's contest.

Downs brought in six of nine targets for 39 yards in the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Downs led the Colts in receptions and targets in the absence of Michael Pittman (concussion), but that didn't add up to much on the yardage front. The speedy rookie hasn't topped 40 receiving yards in any of the last four games, and he hasn't been over 43 since Week 8. Even if Pittman is sidelined again in Week 17 against the Raiders, Downs isn't a sure bet to benefit by any stretch.

Collins caught four of six targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Browns. He also caught a two-point conversion.

Making his return from a one-game absence due to a calf injury, Collins showed little chemistry with Case Keenum early but did connect with Davis Mills on a five-yard TD in the fourth quarter as the Texans made a futile attempt to come back from a 36-7 deficit. Collins seemed to come out of the game healthy though, and the wideout figures to have a much higher fantasy ceiling in Week 17 against the Titans if C.J. Stroud (concussion) is able to return to the lineup.

Pierce brought in three of seven targets for 30 yards in the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Despite the absence of Michael Pittman (concussion), Pierce was unable to capitalize on what tied for his highest target total of the campaign. Outside of his 3-100-1 line against the Titans in Week 13, Pierce has topped out at three receptions and 53 yards in terms of single-game highs in his 13 other contests. He could see more opportunity than usual again in Week 17 at home against the Raiders if Pittman is forced to miss that contest.

Smith-Njigba recorded six catches (on seven targets) for 61 yards during Sunday's 20-17 win at Tennessee.

Smith-Njigba welcomed back Geno Smith (groin) to the lineup after the quarterback missed the previous two games. While Smith-Njigba's output wasn't out of the realm of previous games during his rookie campaign, he surpassed 60 yards receiving for the fourth time in 15 contests and was only three yards shy of setting a new career high. As long as DK Metcalf (4-56-1 on six targets Sunday) and Tyler Lockett (8-81-0 on 11 targets) are healthy, Smith-Njigba will continue to play third fiddle, at best, in the Seahawks' passing game. Smith-Njigba's next chance to produce arrives Sunday, Dec. 31 against the Steelers.

Hopkins finished with two receptions for 20 yards off of four targets in Sunday's 20-17 loss to Seattle.

Hopkins suffered from quarterback Will Levis' (ankle) absence Sunday, as backup Ryan Tannehill produced the wideout's lowest target total (four) this season. That's two duds in a row for Hopkins, who was building momentum once Levis took over for the struggling Tannehill back in Week 8. There is a chance that the Titans could get their best available quarterback back in Week 17, which would boost Hopkins' value for a potential revenge game against Houston next Sunday.

Cooper caught 11 of 15 targets for 265 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 36-22 win over the Texans. He also caught a two-point conversion.

The 265 receiving yards set a new franchise record for the Browns, surpassing Josh Gordon's mark of 261 yards from 2013. Cooper has become one of the hottest wideouts in the NFL since Joe Flacco was installed as the team's new quarterback, and over the last three games the 29-year-old receiver has hauled in 22 of 37 targets for 451 yards and three TDs. The chemistry between Cooper and Flacco will face a tougher test in Week 17 against the Jets.

Lockett finished with eight receptions on 11 targets for 81 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Titans.

Lockett bounced back from last week's poor showing (3-21-0 versus Philadelphia) to lead the Seahawks in receiving against Tennessee. The veteran wideout played a key role in Sunday's comeback victory when he made two drive-extending catches late in the fourth quarter that led to Colby Parkinson's deciding touchdown grab. Lockett hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 10, but he is seeing enough volume to provide fantasy utility against the Steelers next Sunday.

The Chiefs elevated Washington from their practice Sunday.

Washington will be elevated from Kansas City's practice squad for the second time since signing with the team back in October and is now set to play versus the Raiders on Monday. The 24-year-old should provide extra depth at receiver as Kadarius Toney has been ruled out with a hip injury.

Wilson caught nine of 15 targets for 76 yards in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Commanders.

With Trevor Siemian under center instead of Zach Wilson (concussion), Wilson the wideout saw a season high in target volume but didn't get many opportunities to stretch the field, as his longest reception went for only 16 yards. Running back Breece Hall ended up leading the Jets in catches, targets and receiving yards as Siemian stuck to a dink-and-dunk game plan. Wilson effectively remains a one-man show among the Jets' receiving corps, although Jason Brownlee did catch one pass among his three targets for an eight-yard TD on Sunday. High volume won't necessarily lead to big production for Wilson in Week 17 against a fierce Browns defense.