NFL Player News

Washington secured his lone target for four yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Browns.

Washington's playing time ramped back up following Pittsburgh's bye week, as the 2018 second-rounder was on the field for 46 percent of the team's offensive snaps against the Browns. Although the Steelers have been playing without JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) recently after he underwent season-ending surgery, Washington has totaled just two catches for 13 yards across the last two games.

McCloud rushed once for 10 yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Browns.

McCloud saw plenty of playing time in Week 6, but he was limited to just 11 offensive snaps against Cleveland. He wasn't targeted in the passing game but recorded his first carry of the season in the first half. Even after JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery, McCloud's role in Pittsburgh's offense has remained limited.

Hart wasn't targeted in the 31-7 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Hart has been targeted six times through eight games, as he has been working as the No. 4 wideout. His role could be diminished further if rookie second-round pick Dee Eskridge (concussion) is able to return in Week 10 against the Packers.

Schwartz was not targeted and returned one kickoff for 10 yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Steelers.

The rookie wideout was on the field for just six offensive snaps, even though Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) was inactive. Schwartz continues to serve as the Browns' primary kick returner, but he's played a minor role offensively since making a positive impression in Week 1 (three catches, 69 yards).

McLaurin caught three of seven targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Broncos.

The yardage was a season low, and it was also first game of the season in which McLaurin had fewer than four catches. Still, he enters a Week 9 bye averaging 5.4 catches for 71.6 yards per game -- down just a sliver from last season -- and has already matched his TD total (four) from 2020. There's also some hope for Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) to come off injured reserve and provide an upgrade at quarterback, though perhaps not immediately after the bye. Washington hosts the Bucs in Week 10.

Johnson secured five of six targets for 65 yards in the Buccaneers' 36-27 loss to the Saints on Sunday.

The second-year wideout drew his second straight assignment as the No. 3 receiver with Antonio Brown (ankle) sidelined, and Johnson was notably busier than while filling the same role in a Week 7 blowout win over the Bears. Johnson checked in second in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon behind Chris Godwin while extending a recent trend of snagging almost every ball thrown his way. Factoring in Sunday's performance, Johnson has now hauled in 10 of the 11 targets he's garnered over the last four contests, and he's made a claim to hold off Scotty Miller (toe) for No. 4 receiver snaps when the latter returns, likely following the team's Week 9 bye.

Beckham caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Steelers.

To state the obvious, Beckham did not make a significant impact for the Browns, a common theme since the team acquired him in 2019. He actually saw a second target that did not count because the Steelers were whistled for roughing the passer. On the play, Beckham broke free over the middle, but quarterback Baker Mayfield's pass was late and sailed over the receiver's head. Both the receiver and quarterback are nursing shoulder injuries and played with harnesses, which could be a factor, but it would help a struggling offense if these two could find some chemistry. This season, Beckham has 17 catches on 34 targets for 232 yards and zero touchdowns over six games.

Wilson caught all three targets for 84 yards and a touchdown, while also completing his lone pass attempt for 35 yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over Minnesota.

The Cowboys' aerial attack put on a show against the Vikings despite having backup quarterback Cooper Rush under center. All three of Dallas' top wideouts turned in strong fantasy games, with Wilson posting a new season high in receiving yards. The versatile performance could help his own stock, as Michael Gallup (calf) could return as soon as next week's tilt against the Broncos. Regardless of what the Cowboys' healthy roster looks like next week, Wilson is likely to remain a non-factor in fantasy, as the No. 3 receiver role is currently his ceiling.

Jefferson had just two receptions (four targets) for 21 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to Dallas.

This was Jefferson's worst performance of the 2021 campaign by far. He did get banged up at one point during the game but returned to action quickly. The lack of production was likely more tied to the fact that he had to deal with second-year phenom corner Trevon Diggs for the majority of the night as Minnesota's top outside threat. The second-year wideout has otherwise been a strong fantasy contributor this season, with 41 receptions, 542 yards and three touchdowns in the six games prior to Sunday's dud. Luckily for Jefferson's managers, the wideout will get a prime opportunity to bounce back in a big way against the Ravens' 32nd-ranked pass defense next week.

Thielen had six receptions (nine targets) for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Cowboys.

It was an embarrassing home loss for the Vikings against a backup quarterback, but Thielen managers can't complain after another strong showing. The veteran wideout may have lost a step or two over the past couple of seasons, but he remains Kirk Cousin's top red-zone threat, with over 15 total red-zone targets and six touchdowns through seven contests. Thielen will look to keep things rolling next Sunday against the Ravens, which currently own the worst pass defense in the league (296.1 passing yards allowed per game).