NFL Player News

Mickens was waived by the Buccaneers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 26-year-old work as Tampa Bay's return man for the first half of the season, but he missed the three games preceding the Week 13 bye while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Mickens could be a candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Erickson caught two of three targets for 17 yards, returned one kickoff for 24 yards and two punts for 13 yards during Sunday's 19-7 loss to Miami.

The 28-year-old played a season-high 19 offensive snaps Sunday, which is the first time all season he's logged double digits in that category. Erickson hasn't been involved much offensively in 2020, but he should continue to see work in the return game for the Bengals.

Samuel (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday as a close contact, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Samuel will be required to isolate in quarantine as a result of his placement on the COVID list, but as long as he's able to continue returning negative test results, he could gain clearance in time for Sunday's game against the Broncos. It remains to be seen whether the same can be said for fellow starting wideout D.J. Moore (ankle).

Slayton caught his lone target for 14 yards in Sunday's 17-12 win over the Seahawks.

The Giants defense won this game for the team, as quarterback Colt McCoy couldn't get anything going Sunday and finished with just 105 passing yards. Golden Tate and Evan Engram were the only pass catchers to record more than one reception, and neither player surpassed 32 receiving yards. Slayton thrives off the deep ball, and there's no recent evidence that McCoy can make those throws. It should be a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Cardinals, and Daniel Jones (hamstring) could be back in time to boost Slayton's ceiling.

McLaurin (ankle) is listed as active Monday in Pittsburgh, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

As Washington begins the stretch run of the campaign, McLaurin has an ankle injury in tow. While he managed a full session on the final practice report for a second consecutive week, he received a 'questionable' tag from the Football Team. Now officially cleared to suit up, McLaurin will face a Steelers defense that has surrendered 8.3 yards per target and the seventh-most touchdowns (14) to wide receivers this season.

Byrd caught two of three targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 45-0 win over the Chargers.

With a significant lead for most of the game, the team leaned heavily on the running attack, and Cam Newton threw just 19 passes. Byrd finished second among Patriots' wide receivers with 52 snaps on offense (78 percent), and none of the team's wideouts caught more than two passes all afternoon. Byrd remains a starter on the team, but his fantasy value depends heavily on game script.

Conley caught both his targets for 12 yards and lost a fumble during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.

The veteran wideout wasn't targeted until halfway through the fourth quarter, and he promptly lost a fumble on his first touch of the game. Rookie Collin Johnson caught four targets for 66 yards and, while Conley played only a handful of offensive snaps. the latter's role in the offense figures to remain minor if the rest of the receiving corps is healthy.

Coach Brian Flores said Monday that Grant (undisclosed) is "banged up," Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Grant was likely injured when he sustained a flagrant hit by Bengals wideout Mike Thomas on an attempted punt return in the fourth quarter, which caused an ensuing brawl and the ejection of five players. Teammates DeVante Parker and Mack Hollins reportedly aren't at risk of suspension after being ejected, so as long as Grant is able to shake his injury in time to suit up against the Chiefs in Week 14, Miami's receiving corps will have emerged none the worse for wear.

Cole caught one of two targets for seven yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.

The 27-year-old played 49 of 71 offensive snaps -- second among Jacksonville wideouts -- but he didn't find much involvement in the passing game. Mike Glennon fed 12 targets to tight ends Tyler Eifert and James O'Shaughnessy, and rookie Collin Johnson also caught four of six targets for 66 yards. If those target trends continue -- in addition to top wideout DJ Chark -- Cole may have a difficult time replicating his production from earlier this season.

The Panthers placed Samuel (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

The Panthers placed both Samuel and fellow starting wideout DJ Moore (ankle) on the COVID-19 list Monday, leaving Teddy Bridgewater (undisclosed) with a subpar receiving corps as Sunday's contest against the Broncos approaches. The Panthers aren't allowed to disclose whether players placed on the reserve list have tested positive or simply are quarantining after exposure, so it can't yet be determined when Samuel or Moore will be eligible to return.