NFL Player News

Montgomery was on the field for six of a possible 57 snaps on offense in Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) sidelined Thursday, Montgomery served as Ezekiel Elliott's top backup, while Kevin Harris didn't log any snaps. In that role, Montgomery was limited to one catch on two targets for 17 yards, so even if Stevenson continues to miss time, Montgomery will remain off the fantasy radar as long as Elliott is available. The Patriots' next game is Dec. 17 against the Chiefs.

Thornton logged a season-high 54 (of a possible 57) snaps on offense in Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With fellow WRs Demario Douglas (concussion), DeVante Parker (knee) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) all inactive, Thornton drew the start alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, who led the team with 90 receiving yards. Thornton, on the other hand, finished with three catches for 17 yards on five targets, failing to take advantage of a big opportunity. With New England's next game coming 10 days after Thursday's win -- Dec. 17 against the Chiefs -- the team's wideout corps could be less thinned-out for Week 15, a context that likely would leave Thornton with less playing time.

Pickens secured five of six targets for 19 yards in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

The talented second-year wideout struggled yet again to make an impact, although Mitch Trubisky's lackluster play certainly played a large part in Pickens' struggles. Pickens' catch total was a team high on the night, but his 3.8 yards per reception made it a completely unproductive performance outside of season-long or daily full-PPR formats. Pickens does have at least four receptions in three of the past four games, and he'll aim to take advantage of a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup.

Johnson secured three of seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

Johnson's receiving yardage paced the Steelers on the night by a wide margin, and his targets were also a team high. The fifth-year pro's yardage tally was also his highest since Week 9, and he's now scored in consecutive contests for the first time this season after recording a 25-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter. Johnson was the intended target on Mitch Trubisky's fourth-down heave down the left sideline with 1:55 remaining, but the speedy wideout was unable to gain enough separation to come close to making a catch. Johnson next takes aim at a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16.

Smith-Schuster secured four of six targets for 90 yards in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Smith-Schuster led the Patriots in receiving yardage with what was also his highest tally since Week 7 of last season with the Chiefs. The 2017 second-round pick of the Steelers burned his original squad with a game-long 37-yard grab on New England's third offensive play, and he added 17- and 28-yard receptions later in the first half. Smith-Schuster's overall performance was easily his most productive of what has otherwise been a mostly lackluster campaign, but he could have a difficult time putting together a successful encore against the highly talented secondary of his other prior team, the Chiefs, in a Week 15 home matchup on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Eskridge (ribs) did not participate in practice Thursday after fully participating in Wednesday's session, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The wide receiver sat out of the Seahawks' Week 13 loss to the Cowboys with the injury. Eskridge does not have a catch this season on 16 offensive snaps, though he is Seattle's kick returner.

Bobo (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday after participating on a limited basis Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The depth wide receiver first appeared on the injury report Wednesday. Bobo has 15 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown in 2023.

Davis (undisclosed) was reinstated from the Saints' practice squad injured list Thursday.

Davis is available for the first time since suffering an undisclosed injury in early October, returning to his role on the team's practice squad. The wide receiver has yet to make his NFL debut after signing with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in April.

Black was signed to the Ravens' practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Black was with Baltimore earlier this season and he will return to the Ravens' practice unit. The 25-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since 2021 and will provide the team with an extreme depth option at wide receiver.

McCloud (ribs) missed practice Thursday after participating on a limited basis in Wednesday's session, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

It's a step in the wrong direction for the 49ers' kick and punt returner ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks. As a receiver, McCloud has nine catches for 113 yards and no touchdowns in 2023.