NFL Player News

Samuel (shoulder) is listed as active Sunday versus the Packers.

Samuel didn't take contact during his two limited practices this week, but his shoulder injury isn't severe enough to keep him sidelined from actual games. With Emmanuel Sanders (ribs) available as well, the 49ers have the usual suspects operating at wide receiver, which could be a fruitful endeavor with George Kittle (knee/ankle) back in action but potentially limited. In the two contests that Kittle missed, Samuel erupted for 100 yards both times en route to a combined line of 16-246-0 on 21 targets.

Cain had one catch for 35 yards in Pittsburgh's 16-10 win over Cincinnati on Sunday.

Signed just over a week ago, Cain saw just one target from Mason Rudolph before Pittsburgh made the switch at quarterback to Devlin Hodges. Cain was targeted once by Hodges, which resulted in a pass interference call which led to a field goal that proved to be the game-winner. Cain had four receptions on 14 targets for 52 yards in six games with Indianapolis before joining Pittsburgh, and he has little fantasy value heading into a Week 13 game against Cleveland.

Crowder caught two of four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 34-3 win over Oakland.

Crowder came into this one riding a three-game touchdown streak, but he wasn't heavily involved in the game plan this time around. While the slot receiver remains a player who should be universally owned with quarterback Sam Darnold finding his game in recent weeks, this game proved that the Jets can get by just fine offensively while emphasizing their other weapons. Up next is a Week 13 trip to Cincinnati to face the 0-11 Bengals.

Slayton caught four of seven targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Bears.

Fellow wide receiver Sterling Shepard returned from a concussion and led the Giants with nine targets, but Slayton led the team in receiving yards and tied with Golden Tate for second in targets with seven. While Shepard is another mouth to feed, it appears Slayton has emerged as a legitimate weapon for the Giants. The rookie fifth-rounder should remain on the fantasy radar in deeper formats when his team hosts the Packers in Week 13.

Erickson caught two of his eight targets for 43 yards during Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.

Erickson finished second on the team in targets, but he struggled time and again to connect with Ryan Finley. He did make a flashy 30-yard gain at one point but was otherwise held in check. This was certainly an improvement over his last two games, during which he caught one of seven targets for zero yards, but it's tough to endorse Erickson's fantasy value for next week's matchup with the Jets.

Jones caught five of 11 targets for 46 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss to Washington.

Jones, like the Lions' offense has a whole, has missed Matthew Stafford (back), but the veteran wide receiver has made the most of playing with backup Jeff Driskel, enjoying a team-high 21 targets in Driskel's three starts. Driskel showed Sunday that he's willing to force the ball to Jones, sometimes to the Lions' advantage -- such as on a 14-yard sideline throw to set up a field goal just before halftime -- and sometimes to the team's detriment, such as on an ill-timed interception in the closing moments of the game that sparked Washington's win. Though Stafford has voiced his hope to play again this season, Jones will still be working with Driskel Thursday against a Bears defense that surrendered 77 yards on five catches to Jones in Week 9.

Washington caught three of seven targets for 98 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Bengals.

Washington provided an enormous spark when his team needed it the most, catching a pass from Devlin Hodges and beating a defender before racing for a 79-yard touchdown in the third quarter. He led the team in targets on the day, and, although he hauled in less than half his looks, he still finished with his greatest output of the season. Washington is averaging an impressive 76.5 yards per game over his last four and will look to keep it going next Sunday against Cleveland.

Shepard caught five of nine targets for 15 yards and added a 22-yard rush in Sunday's 19-14 loss to Chicago.

Shepard failed to break free for a catch of longer than six yards, but he found some space on an end-around. More importantly, he looked healthy in his first game action since Week 5, leading the team in targets. There should be better days ahead for Shepard now that he's back from a concussion. Up next is a Week 13 home date with the Packers.

Wims was targeted twice but failed to record a reception in the Bears' 19-14 victory over the Giants on Sunday.

Wims has caught more than one pass just a single time this season and won't be considered a fantasy factor unless his role in the offense increases.

McLaurin caught five of 12 targets for 72 yards during Sunday's 19-16 win over the Lions.

McLaurin's 12 targets set a season high. Though he doesn't hold quite the same value as he did earlier this season when veteran Case Keenum was lofting up passes to him in the end zone, the rookie is still Washington's most consistent pass-catcher and has rapport with fellow rookie Buckeye Dwayne Haskins. That was on display in the closing seconds of Sunday's win, when, facing third down, Haskins drove a 17-yard pass down the field to McLaurin, setting up the game-winning field goal. Sunday brings a tough matchup against a quality Panthers pass defense, but McLaurin is still a solid play despite Washington's offensive struggles due to his locked-in target volume and downfield prowess.