NFL Player News

Kirk caught five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns on five targets at Tennessee on Sunday.

Kirk was automatic Sunday in what was one of his best games as a pro, and it's possible that he'll continue to benefit from running routes more often in the slot than he did in prior years. He'll need to draw more targets to stay consistently viable as a fantasy wideout, however, because a 100 percent catch rate at 14 yards per target obviously isn't sustainable. Kirk and fellow wideout Rondale Moore (four catches for 68 yards on five targets) might have a case for taking targets from A.J. Green (two catches for 25 yards on six targets), but Green is a limiting factor in the meantime.

Thielen caught nine of 10 targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals.

Thielen provided the game's first points with 6:41 left before halftime, shedding cornerback Eli Apple in the front of the end zone for a five-yard score. He scored another touchdown in the third quarter, this time from 24 yards out. Thielen led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards, though fellow wide receivers Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn were each targeted nine times apiece. Minnesota's passing game will likely remain busy in Week 2 as the Vikings try to keep pace with the high-flying Cardinals in Arizona.

Hopkins caught six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets at Tennessee on Sunday.

The Titans posed no resistance against Hopkins, who might have done more damage yet if not for the strong play of fellow wideouts Christian Kirk and Rondale Moore. Hopkins looks as locked in as ever, and given his high-volume role, he's a top option each week. That will remain the case in Week 2 as Hopkins takes on the Vikings.

Diggs brought in nine of 13 targets for 69 yards in the Bills' 23-16 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Diggs led the Bills in receptions, receiving yards and targets, but he averaged a pedestrian 7.7 yards per catch in the process. The Pro Bowl wideout is likely to pace the Buffalo air attack plenty of weeks this season, but he should have a markedly easier time many weeks as compared to this matchup versus the suffocating Steelers defense. Diggs will look to boost his overall numbers in a Week 2 battle versus the Dolphins, though Miami also boasts a deep and experienced secondary.

Lockett caught four of five targets for 100 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-16 win over the Colts.

Lockett immediately began paying dividends on the four-year, $69.2 million contract he signed with the Seahawks this past offseason. The speedy wideout burned the opposing secondary on two separate occasions and Russell Wilson -- as he is known to do -- floated perfect passes right into his bread basket. The air attacking trio of Wilson (four TDs), Lockett and DK Metcalf (60 yards and a TD) looks to be a potent one heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Titans.

Samuel hauled in nine passes (12 targets) for 189 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-33 win over Detroit.

Samuel did cough up a fumble in the waning moments of the contest that nearly allowed the Lions to make an improbable comeback. Other than the miscue, it was an impressive debut to the new season for the third-year man after an injury-plagued 2020 campaign. Samuel did not officially record one of his signature end-arounds, but he did attempt one that was called back due to a penalty. If Jimmy Garoppolo (314 yards and a touchdown) can also turn in a clean bill of health this year, the duo could put up numbers closer to their run to the Super Bowl back in 2019. Samuel will get a tougher matchup against Darius Slay when the 49ers take on the Eagles in Week 2.

Moore caught six of eight targets for 80 yards and added a 14-yard run in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jets.

Carolina's offense flowed primarily through runs and short passes to Christian McCaffrey, but Moore was able to get open consistently when the Panthers looked to push the ball downfield. Coming off consecutive campaigns of 1,175 or more receiving yards, Moore has quickly established a rapport with new Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold. He'll face the Saints -- against whom Moore produced 194 yards and two touchdowns over two meetings last season -- in Week 2.

Anderson caught one of three targets for a 57-yard touchdown in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jets.

Anderson's only catch was a huge one, as he got behind the defense for a 57-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The speedster fleshed out his skill tree en route to career highs in catches (95) and receiving yards (1,096) last season, but his bread and butter is still the deep ball. He took advantage of the Jets' inexperienced secondary in the opener and will look to do the same in Week 2 against the injury-riddled Saints unit.

Johnson brought in five of 10 targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 23-16 win over the Bills on Sunday.

None of the Steelers' receivers posted what could be rightfully termed fantasy-friendly efforts against a stingy Bills secondary, but Johnson arguably came the closest thanks to his highlight-reel juggling touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter to give the Steelers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Despite leaving the game briefly in the first half due to what appeared to be a lower-body injury, Johnson unsurprisingly paced the team in receptions and targets as well -- a distinction he also often enjoyed last season. The third-year speedster will look to build on his serviceable start to the season in a favorable Week 2 home battle against the Raiders.

Arcega-Whiteside sustained an ankle injury during Sunday's game in Atlanta, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Prior to his exit in the fourth quarter, Arcega-Whiteside's only contribution to the box score was an assisted tackle on punt coverage. Meanwhile, the Eagles' top wide receiver trio of DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins combined for 16 targets at the point of Arcega-Whiteside's departure.