NFL Player News

Tolbert caught two of three targets for 12 yards over eight regular-season games in 2022.

Drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of South Alabama, Tolbert was viewed as a raw, athletic prospect who might need some time to adjust to the level of play in the NFL, but the Cowboys clearly didn't anticipate just how big that adjustment was going to be. The 23-year-old was inactive for the first two games of the season despite the team's lack of healthy, reliable wideouts behind CeeDee Lamb, and even after Tolbert did begin to draw into the gameday lineup, he failed to make any kind of impact, and he returned to inactive status for the final five games of the regular season plus both of Dallas' playoff games. With a full offseason in the program ahead to hone his skills and with a better idea of what he needs to do to succeed in the NFL, Tolbert could make a big leap in his second season, but there's little reason to put him on the fantasy radar as anything more than a dart throw in dynasty formats until he proves himself on the field.

Turpin finished seventh in the NFL with 808 return yards and fifth with a 10.4 yard average on punt returns over 17 regular-season games in 2022.

The 26-year-old rookie saw little work on offense, taking three carries for 17 yards and catching one of two targets for nine yards, but the 2021 USFL MVP became a 2022 NFL Pro Bowler due to his prowess in the return game. Turpin didn't manage to return a kick for a touchdown but came close on multiple occasions, and with two more years remaining on the very affordable contract he signed last July, he should be a key weapon on special teams for the Cowboys again in 2023.

Brown caught 43 of 73 targets for 555 yards and three touchdowns over 16 regular-season games in 2022.

The 27-year-old came into the season with little fanfare and little career production on his resume, but Brown took advantage of a threadbare depth chart behind CeeDee Lamb early in the season to establish himself as a legitimate NFL receiving threat, posting an 18-274-1 line on 27 targets over the first four games of 2022 despite mostly working with backup QB Cooper Rush. Brown's numbers declined from that point once Michael Gallup rejoined the lineup, but he still flashed some upside later in the year, hauling in 85 yards against the Texans in Week 14 before catching two TDs from Dak Prescott in Week 15 against the Jaguars. An unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Brown's breakout could draw interest from other clubs and price him out of the Cowboys' 2023 plans.

Gallup caught 39 of 74 targets for 424 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games in the 2022 regular season.

The fifth-year wideout missed the first three games of the season while completing his recovery from ACL surgery, but given the disappointing numbers he ended up posting, it looks like the Cowboys may have rushed him back too soon. Gallup posted fewer yards in 2022 than he did the year before despite playing in five more games, and his only real impact came during a brief two-game stretch in Weeks 11 and 12 -- he set his season high for yards with 63 against the Giants, then followed that performance up with two TDs against the Colts. He did manage a 5-46-1 line on six targets in the wild-card win over the Buccaneers, but in general the 26-year-old never regained his pre-injury form, and he never got on the same page as Dak Prescott -- Gallup's average yards of separation and catch percentage both ranked in the bottom 12 in the NFL. He still has four more years left on the contract he signed last offseason, and a fairly significant dead cap hit in 2023 if he were to be cut loose, so Gallup should be back in Dallas next season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him bumped down the depth chart by a significant offseason addition, however, as the front office looks to give CeeDee Lamb more reliable help.

Watson (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals after not practicing Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson's status will thus be worth monitoring as Sunday's 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but on the heels of recording a 15-315-2 stat line on 34 targets in 17 games this past season, the wideout is only a fantasy option in deeper formats.

Hardman (pelvis) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Hardman, who last suited up for game action in Week 9, appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's 6:30 ET kickoff, and If he's available versus Cincinnati, the 2019 second-rounder would add valuable speed and depth to a wideout corps that also includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson (illness, questionable). Prior to being sidelined, Hardman had recorded 25 catches on 34 targets for 297 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.

Samuel (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers capped Samuel's reps both Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle issue, but after a full session Friday, he'll available to the offense this weekend. The team's top running back, Christian McCaffrey (calf), also was cleared ahead of Sunday's contest, while backfield mate Elijah Mitchell (groin) is questionable after getting in some minimal work Friday. If Mitchell is limited or out Sunday, Samuel could mix in at RB a bit more than usual, but he still should be good for his recent workload, which has resulted in 10 catches and seven carries in San Francisco's two playoff victories to date.

The Saints signed Baker to a reserve/future contract Thursday, per the team's official site.

Baker has been through the wringer since entering the NFL in 2021, as he was let go by New Orleans, handed a six-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy, waived by the Seahawks, cut by the Packers, discharged from the Eagles' practice squad and finally recalled to the Saints' practice squad in that span. The 215-pound wide receiver is now in a position to compete for one of New Orleans' roster spots throughout the summer and into training camp.

Hardman (pelvis) remained limited at practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Coach Andy Reid told McMullen on Thursday that the team is "going to take it day-by-day" with Hardman as Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals approaches. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the wideout heads into the weekend with an official injury designation or cleared to face Cincinnati.

Sills signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants on Thursday.

Sills opened the 2022 season as a member of the Giants' starting wide-receiver corps, playing at least 63 percent of offensive snaps in all but one of the first four games. However, the 26-year-old logged more than two receptions just once, and he saw a significant drop in playing time before being ruled a healthy scratch six times between Weeks 10 to 16. Sills was then waived Dec. 31 and finished the season on the practice squad. He'll now work to earn his way back onto the Giants' 53-man roster ahead of the 2023 campaign.