NFL Player News

Hodge caught both his targets for 67 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 36-30 overtime win over Tampa Bay.

Hodge played only 16 offensive snaps, the fewest among Atlanta's wideouts. However, he ended up playing hero after taking a checkdown pass from Kirk Cousins the distance during the first drive of overtime. Hodge also had a 22-yard catch in the second quarter and was called for offensive pass interference in the red zone during the third quarter. Before Thursday's game, Hodge played primarily on special teams and hadn't recorded a target through four games.

McCloud caught six of nine targets for 66 yards during Thursday's 36-30 overtime win over Tampa Bay.

McCloud played nearly every single offensive snap for a fourth straight game. He recorded season-high marks in receptions, targets and yards, but the veteran has yet to catch a touchdown this season. McCloud set career highs in Pittsburgh during the 2021 season, posting 39 catches for 277 yards. He already has 21 receptions for 229 yards this season. With Rondale Moore (knee) out for the season, McCloud is locked in as Atlanta's No. 3 wideout behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney.

Duvernay sustained a lower-body injury in Sunday's 37-34 win over the Colts, Garry Smits of The Jacksonville Florida Times-Union reports.

Duvernay played a significant role in the Jaguars' Week 5 win, as his 53-yard punt return set up a Tank Bigsby touchdown run in the third quarter. Head coach Doug Pederson sounded concerned about Duvernay when discussing the Jaguars' injuries Monday, explaining that Duvernay is "going to be the big one." If the Texas product is unable to suit up in Week 6, expect Parker Washington to assume Jacksonville's top kick- and punt-return duties.

Shepard brought in one of two targets for a four-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 36-30 overtime loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.

Shepard commemorated his signing to the active roster earlier in the week by getting into the end zone for the first time since Week 10 of last season, while with the Giants. The veteran had logged five targets and turned them into a 3-51 line four days earlier against the Eagles as well, but once Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) are healthy again, it's difficult to see Shepard retaining any appreciable, reliable fantasy value.

Smith (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.

The 2024 fifth-round pick has been sidelined for the first five weeks of the Eagles' 2024 campaign after sustaining an ankle injury in late August. However, with his practice window being opened Monday, it appears he's nearing a return to the field. Philadelphia will now have 21 days to activate Smith to its active roster before he reverts back to IR. Given the injuries in the Eagles' wide-receiver room, Smith could have the opportunity to see some offensive work as soon as he returns from injury.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Whittington is contending with a shoulder issue following Sunday's 24-19 loss to the Packers, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

On the plus side, McVay noted that Whittington's availability following the Rams' Week 6 bye shouldn't be affected by the issue. That said, the wideout's status will be worth tracking once the team returns to practice ahead of an Oct. 20 home contest against the Raiders. Whittington has led the Rams with a 13-151-0 line on 18 targets over the past two weeks, but he could lose out on some looks if Cooper Kupp (ankle) and/or Puka Nacua (knee) are able to return to the lineup coming out of the bye week.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that a Week 7 return for Kupp (ankle) "would be an ideal target," but he added that was an "optimistic target date" and "by no means is that guaranteed," Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Per Rodrigue, McVay declined to say whether Kupp will return to practice after the Rams' Week 6 bye, so the wideout's Week 7 status remains cloudy at this stage. Kupp suffered a left ankle sprain in the Rams' Sept. 15 loss to the Cardinals and hasn't practiced since then.

Jennings had one reception (on three targets) for 13 yards in Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Cardinals.

Jennings saw his usual allotment of snaps on offense (57 percent) but simply was not involved enough to produce positive fantasy results. The veteran slot man goes through quiet spells from time to time, so his value shouldn't have changed much assuming managers weren't shooting for the moon. Jennings and the 49ers will travel to Seattle for Thursday Night Football in Week 6.

Hyatt did not receive a target or carry in Sunday's 29-20 Week 5 win over Seattle.

With Malik Nabers (concussion) unable to suit up for the contest, it was expected that Hyatt would get more of an opportunity to produce after topping out at just 15 offensive snaps over his first four games. That opportunity did come to pass -- Hyatt was on the field for 48 of New York's 72 offensive snaps -- but production did not follow, as he wasn't targeted for the second time this season. Hyatt was selected in the third round of the 2023 Draft to help boost what was then an unexciting receiving corps, but he caught just 23 passes (on 40 targets) over 17 regular-season games as a rookie and now appears to be almost completely an afterthought in the Giants' passing game. Given his performance Sunday, there's little reason for fantasy managers to consider starting him Week 6 against Cincinnati even if Nabers is held out again.

Doubs (suspension) plans to practice Wednesday after a meeting with the Packers on Monday "went well," Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Doubs was suspended for Green Bay's Week 5 win over the Rams for conduct detrimental to the team. The wide receiver was reportedly frustrated with his lack of targets. If he and the team have hashed out their differences, Doubs could be back in the mix against the Cardinals in Week 6. Prior to the suspension, Doubs had been filling a starting role in Green Bay's young receiving corps.