NFL Player News

Thielen caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Buccaneers.

Thielen was one of the very few bright spots on the Panthers this season and the main target rookie quarterback Bryce Young could consistently connect with. The 33-year-old caught 103 passes -- the second most of his career -- on 137 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. Despite a new front office and coaching staff set to arrive in Carolina this offseason, the veteran Thielen remains under contract for 2024, when he figures to serve as a reliable outlet for Young even if the team improves the supporting cast around him.

McCloud recorded three catches (on four targets) for 22 yards, one carry for seven yards and two punt returns for 17 yards during Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

McCloud completed an IR stint of five games and was able to suit up for the regular-season finale, and he got a bit more run on offense (59 percent share) than normal with the 49ers sitting out key starters and capping fellow WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to cameos. In the end, McCloud's output Sunday pushed him to a 12-135-0 line on 15 targets and three carries for 30 yards in 12 appearances on the campaign. When San Francisco next takes the field in the divisional round on Saturday, Jan. 20 or Sunday, Jan. 21, he likely will be contained to return duties with Samuel, Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings (concussion) handling most of the work at wide receiver.

Jones caught two passes for 13 yards in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Jones didn't do much in Sunday's regular-season finale, though he did manage double-digit receiving yards for the second straight week, something he failed to do in his first 11 games as an Eagle. He'll finish the season with 11 catches for 74 yards and three scores.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that he's optimistic Waddle (ankle) will be able to play in Saturday's playoff game against the Chiefs, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Waddle pushed to play Week 18 against the Bills, but Miami's medical staff advised against it, suggesting he could do more harm than good. The week of rest sounds like it will be good for Waddle, who has battled various minor injuries for most of the season. The Dolphins need all hands on deck on offense with their defense losing significant starters and contributors to injuries.

Pickens wasn't targeted and rushed once for three yards during the Steelers' 17-10 win over Baltimore on Saturday.

Pickens had the two highest receiving yardage totals of his career in his last two appearances by securing 11 of 15 targets for 326 yards. Although Mason Rudolph remained under center for Saturday's regular-season finale, Pickens didn't draw any targets. He improved across the board during his second professional season, securing 63 of 106 targets for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns while rushing three times for 18 yards. While his production was somewhat inconsistent, he should be one of Pittsburgh's top options in the passing game during Sunday's wild-card matchup against Buffalo.

Winfree failed to bring in the only target he saw during the 2023 season.

Winfree did most of his work on special teams this season, failing to record a catch for the first time since 2020. He'll now look to compete for a spot on the Colts' 53-man roster for 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.