NFL Player News
-
Tyquan Thornton WR | KC
Chiefs' Tyquan Thornton: Blanked by Colts
Thornton didn't reel in his lone target during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory against the Colts.
Thornton's role on offense has declined significantly with all of the Chiefs' weapons available, and there's nothing to suggest that will change. Thornton remains a deep-threat option in the passing attack, evidenced by his 61-yard grab in Week 11 versus the Broncos, but he'll likely see minimal opportunities moving forward, so he can be viewed as a depth piece with some upside if injuries hit the wide receiver room.
-
Brandin Cooks WR | BUF
Bills' Brandin Cooks: Finds new home in Buffalo
Cooks signed a one-year contract with the Bills on Tuesday.
Buffalo marks the sixth NFL stop for Cooks, who has turned in six 1,000-plus-yard receiving campaigns while spending time with the Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans and Cowboys over his 12-year career. During his second stint in New Orleans this season, Cooks was limited to 19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets over 10 games before being cut last week. Though he'll benefit from a massive upgrade in quarterback play with the move to Buffalo, the 32-year-old wideout could struggle to see meaningful weekly target volume in a Josh Allen-led offensive attack that spreads the ball around to a number of pass catchers.
-
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR | KC
Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Tallies one reception in Week 12
Smith-Schuster notched one reception (on two targets) for eight yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Colts.
Smith-Schuster hasn't tallied more than a single catch in any of the last three games and hasn't cracked double-digits in receiving yards over that span, so there are very few formats in which he should be considered a fantasy option. While he still receives decent run (45 snaps Sunday), he's not in line for many looks in the passing game, barring an absence from Rashee Rice.
-
Brashard Smith RB | KC
Chiefs' Brashard Smith: Makes impact as receiver
Smith tallied one rush for five yards and hauled in three of four targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime win against the Colts.
Smith remains a pass-catching option out of the backfield, akin to Jerick McKinnon in previous seasons, but he doesn't quite sport the same kind of upside just yet. Smith has made an impact as a receiver through 11 games, notching 19 grabs for 161 yards. However, he's averaged just 3.0 yards per carry on his 29 totes and firmly remains third in the backfield pecking order behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. As long as that duo remains healthy, Smith figures to remain a periphery piece for the Chiefs.
-
Marquise Brown WR | KC
Chiefs' Hollywood Brown: Snares sole target
Brown reeled in his only target for 10 yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory against the Colts.
Brown hasn't reached pay dirt in any of the last four contests, and he doesn't sport enough target volume to warrant a look in the vast majority of fantasy formats. As long as Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy remain available, they will continue to claim the vast majority of looks in the passing game, while Brown will aim to produce on limited looks.
-
Daniel Ekuale DT | PIT
Steelers' Daniel Ekuale: Hit with five-game suspension
The NFL suspended Ekuale five games Tuesday for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Ekuale is already out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL last month, so he'll just serve the ban while sitting on injured reserve. The 31-year-old defensive lineman appeared in seven games this season, producing six tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup on 72 defensive snaps.
-
Otito Ogbonnia DT | LAC
Chargers' Otito Ogbonnia: Will return to practice this week
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Ogbonnia (elbow) will have his 21-day practice window opened Tuesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Ogbonnia was injured one snap into the Chargers' Week 7 loss to the Colts and has been sidelined since. In four games this season, Ogbonnia has logged just one tackle (one solo) on 66 defensive snaps.
-
Cornell Powell WR | HOU
Cornell Powell: Signs with Pittsburgh
The Steelers signed Powell to the practice squad Tuesday.
Powell briefly spent time with the Texans over the summer but has been out of work since being cut by Houston prior to Week 1. A fifth-round pick by the Chiefs in 2021, Powell has appeared in just three career regular-season games but didn't see a single target in the pass game.
-
Tre'von Moehrig SAF | CAR
Panthers' Tre'von Moehrig: Hit with one-game suspension
The NFL announced Tuesday that Moehrig has been suspended one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct in Monday's 20-9 loss to the 49ers.
Moehrig punched Jauan Jennings below the belt during the fourth quarter, sparking a reaction from Jennings that required both teams to hold players back. Moehrig will appeal the suspension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. If Moehrig loses his appeal, the Panthers will likely turn to either Demani Richardson or Lathan Ransom to fill in for him at safety Week 13 against the Rams.