NFL Player News
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Khadarel Hodge WR | ATL
Falcons' KhaDarel Hodge: Minimal role in passing attack
Hodge reeled in his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 20-19 victory over the Cardinals.
Hodge played the fourth-most snaps among Atlanta's wide receivers, but after securing a five-yard catch on the Falcons' opening offensive drive, the fifth-year wideout wasn't targeted again. The reception marked Hodge's first since Week 11, so it's safe to presume he won't offer much fantasy production during Sunday's regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. Across 16 appearances, Hodge has totaled 13 receptions on 20 targets for 202 yards and one touchdown.
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Phillip Dorsett WR | LV
Texans' Phillip Dorsett: Season-high targets in loss
Dorsett caught three of a season-high six targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 31-3 loss to Jacksonville in Week 17.
Dorsett, who played 39 snaps, has benefitted from Nico Collins' season-ending foot injury and racked up 16 targets over the last five weeks while averaging 44 snaps. His playing time dipped the last two weeks with Brandin Cooks' return from a calf injury, but Dorsett remains involved in a weak passing attack.
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Damiere Byrd WR | BUF
Falcons' Damiere Byrd: Catches one of two targets
Byrd caught one of two targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 20-19 victory over the Cardinals.
Byrd played the third-most snaps among Atlanta's wideouts, but he didn't garner his first target until the second half, when he recorded a 12-yard reception on a second-down play in the third quarter. With Desmond Ridder at the helm, Byrd has caught just two of five targets for 27 yards. The veteran wideout secured nine of 14 targets for 229 yards and two touchdown from Week 7 through Week 11, but aside from that five-game stretch, Byrd has been irrelevant in most fantasy leagues.
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Chris Olave WR | NO
Saints' Chris Olave: Four catches in return
Olave tallied four receptions on five targets for 42 yards during Sunday's 20-10 victory versus Philadelphia.
Olave played 61 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps in his first game back from a hamstring injury. The rookie first-rounder didn't appear limited by this issue while catching all three of his targets for 31 yards on New Orleans' opening drive, but his opportunities dwindled as the Saints' offense shifted to a ball-control game script during the second half. Olave finished third on the team in targets behind tight end Juwan Johnson's seven and fellow rookie wideout Rashid Shaheed's six. Olave has topped more than six targets just once since Week 9, a stretch during which Andy Dalton has attempted fewer than 30 passes in every game.
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George Pickens WR | DAL
Steelers' George Pickens: Held in check on SNF
Pickens was held to two catches (four targets) for 29 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over Baltimore.
The Steelers continue to commit to a run-heavy game plan on their recent run of success, resulting in no receiver netting over 36 receiving yards Sunday. Pickens possesses the talent to produce big fantasy totals despite the occasional dud, and he has developed a strong rapport with fellow rookie Kenny Pickett. The young quarterback-receiver duo will look for improved results in Pittsburgh's final attempt to sneak into the playoffs against Cleveland on Sunday.
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Diontae Johnson WR | CLE
Steelers' Diontae Johnson: Struggles with seven targets
Johnson had two receptions (seven targets) for 35 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Ravens.
Johnson was not on the same page with quarterback Kenny Pickett in this one, resulting in a season-low 29 percent catch rate. The veteran wideout was dealing with a hip injury during practice this week, and he went down holding his shin Sunday before ultimately returning and finishing the contest. It wouldn't be surprising to see the 26-year-old pop up on the injury report again in Week 18 following this punishing win. Assuming good health, Johnson will look to bounce back against the Browns on Sunday.
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Allen Lazard WR | NYJ
Packers' Allen Lazard: Leading receiver in rout
Lazard caught five of six targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Vikings.
The Packers ran away with this one and didn't need to pass the ball much, so Lazard's modest numbers led the team in both catches and receiving yards. The veteran wideout has failed to score a TD in seven straight games, topping out at five receptions and 67 yards during that stretch, but Green Bay may need Lazard to produce a ceiling game in a must-win Week 18 clash with Detroit.
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K.J. Osborn WR | TEN
Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Scores garbage-time TD
Osborn caught all seven of his targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.
Both Minnesota touchdowns came in the fourth quarter with the game long out of reach, and Osborn caught his from Nick Mullens rather than Kirk Cousins as the team began to sit its stars. The Vikings won't have much to play for in Week 18 other than playoff seeding, so Mullens could get the start against the Bears, but Osborn at least will likely remain involved no matter who is under center.
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Justin Jefferson WR | MIN
Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Just one catch Sunday
Jefferson caught one of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.
It was a brutal showing for Jefferson, one that likely cost him a chance to break Calvin Johnson's NFL record for receiving yards in a season, but the whole Vikings offense struggled after losing two offensive linemen to injuries early in the game. The team might prioritize the health of its stars in a relatively meaningless regular-season finale, so Jefferson may not see much of the field in Week 18 against the Bears.
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DK Metcalf WR | PIT
Seahawks' DK Metcalf: Quiet in win over Jets
Metcalf caught one of five targets for three yards in Sunday's 23-6 win over the Jets.
It was a bad day for Seattle's wideouts in general, as Geno Smith's two touchdown passes went to tight ends and the team never trailed in the game, leaving little need to air it out. Metcalf will look to rebound from his worst performance of the season in Week 18 as the Seahawks try to claim a playoff spot with a win over the Rams.