NFL Player News

Cole caught one of two targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 39-29 loss to the Chargers.

It was a disappointing follow-up to Cole's 143-yard eruption against the Lions last week, but the Chargers' pass rush gave Gardner Minshew little time to let routes develop downfield, and the production of the entire WR corps suffered. Cole is on pace for a career-best season heading into Jacksonville's Week 8 bye, but he could be catching passes from a different quarterback on the other side of the break, as Minshew's job security is shaky following six straight losses.

Shenault caught all three of his targets for 44 yards in Sunday's 39-29 loss to the Chargers. He also gained zero yards on one carry.

Most of his production came on a 36-yard grab in the second quarter that set up the Jaguars' first touchdown, but that was enough to make Shenault the team's leading receiver on the afternoon. The three targets were the rookie's lowest volume of the year, but that can be attributed to a Chargers pass rush that gave Gardner Minshew little time to let routes develop downfield. Jacksonville will be on bye Week 8, but Shenault could be catching passes from a different quarterback on the other side of the break, as Minshew's job security is shaky following six straight losses.

Peoples-Jones caught three of three targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-34 win over Cincinnati.

Peoples-Jones had two catches on Cleveland's final drive, including the game-winning 24-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left. The Browns' primary returner, Peoples-Jones was thrust into a larger role when Odell Beckham (knee) left the game early. Pending the results of Beckham's MRI, Peoples-Jones could move up to the third wideout on the depth chart for the Week 8 home game against the Raiders.

Kirk had five receptions (eight targets) for 37 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 37-34 win over the Seahawks.

Kirk shined in the national spotlight for the second consecutive game, hitting pay dirt twice after pulling off the same feat on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys last week. The recent explosion of touchdowns for the third-year man came out of left field, as he averaged just three scores each of his previous two seasons. Kirk -- a 5'11" slot receiver -- doesn't scream "red-zone target," but fantasy managers certainly won't scoff at his recent binge. Expectations for future production should be tempered in the event the wideout isn't able to maintain this rate of success in the red zone, as he is averaging just 3.0 receptions and 46.2 yards per game this season. However, until the scoring cools off, Kirk remains a solid fantasy option when the Cardinals resume play against the Dolphins following the team's upcoming bye week.

Hopkins (ankle) hauled in 10 of 12 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks on Sunday. He also lost a fumble in the 37-34 overtime victory.

Hopkins carried a questionable tag due to an ankle injury all the way up to kickoff, but the star wideout was able to suit up and deliver for fantasy owners. It was the the 28-year-old's third double-digit catch performance this season and the fourth time he has reached the century mark in receiving yards. Hopkins has made a seamless transition after being traded from Houston to Arizona, leading the league in receptions (57), targets (73) and receiving yards (704) through seven games. The only criticism -- if you can even call it one -- would be a lack of trips to the end zone, as he is on pace for just seven touchdowns in 2020. The Cardinals are on a bye next week, which should give Hopkins' ankle plenty of time to heal prior to facing the Dolphins in Week 9.

Gage caught six of his seven targets for 54 receiving yards during Sunday's 23-22 loss to Detroit.

Julio Jones led the way for Atlanta with nine targets, but Gage landed in a three-place tie for second in that department alongside Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst. Gage managed just two receptions and 21.3 receiving yards per game Weeks 3 through 5, but he's rebounded over his past two appearances by producing 10 combined receptions for 119 yards. Operating within an Atlanta passing attack that has thrown the ball at least 36 times in every game this season, Gage remains a viable deep-league fantasy play as the No. 3 WR option. His Week 8 matchup is less than enticing, however, as he'll face a Panthers defense Thursday night that has surrendered the third-fewest receiving yards to opposing wideouts (795).

Metcalf caught two of five targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 37-34 overtime loss to the Cardinals.

Something about the Cardinals seems to bring Metcalf back down to earth. He produced just one reception for six yards over two games against the division rivals last year, and the second-year pro was stymied again after a brilliant start to the season. While he barely made a dent on offense, Metcalf arguably made the play of the night. When Russell Wilson tossed an interception to Budda Baker at Arizona's goal line, Metcalf chased Baker down and tackled him at the three-yard line, saving a touchdown since the Cardinals ended up turning the ball over on downs. That may have been the finest display of Metcalf's game-breaking speed we've seen to date, and it's a strong reminder of why fantasy managers shouldn't be scared away by one underwhelming performance. The 22-year-old averaged 99.2 receiving yards per game and scored five total touchdowns before the Week 6 bye, and he'll look to get back on track against the 49ers next Sunday.

Lockett caught 15 of 19 targets for 200 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 37-34 overtime loss to the Cardinals.

After a pair of underwhelming games leading up to the Week 6 bye, Lockett came out of the gate firing, making a spectacular 35-yard, one-handed grab on the first play of the evening and catching his fifth touchdown of the year just five plays later. The speedy wideout caught a handful of dink-and-dunk passes the rest of the half before reeling in another score on a 47-yard moonball from Russell Wilson with 43 seconds left in the second quarter. Lockett remained Wilson's favorite target for the rest of the game, and for the grand finale, he showcased his body control by corraling a lofted pass in the end zone and getting both feet down to put the Seahawks up 10 points with six minutes left in the game. However, the magic was quickly overshadowed by a Cardinals comeback effort that handed the Seahawks their first loss of the season. Nevertheless, this was Lockett's second three-touchdown performance of the season, and he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards in this contest. He'll look to keep the momentum rolling Week 8 when the 49ers come to town.

Humphries recorded one reception on three targets for 19 yards in Week 7 against the Steelers.

Humphries was out-targeted by Corey Davis, A.J. Brown and Jonnu Smith for his lowest target total of the season. Though it was the first time he did not command at least six targets in a game, it was also the first time that all of the Titans' prominent pass-catchers were healthy. While still the team's primary slot receiver, it will be difficult to project Humphries for significant volume moving forward.

Coach Kyle Shanahan expects Samuel (hamstring) to miss "some time," Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports. "You never know. Know it pulled on him on that run, which usually is some time (missed)," Shanahan said.

While "some time" isn't a specific diagnosis, Shanahan's words make it sound like Samuel's more likely than not to sit out against the NFC West rival Seahawks in Week 8. Samuel's participation, or lack thereof, in practice this week should provide a more concrete assessment of his status for Week 8 and beyond.