NFL Player News

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Tuesday that Boutte is in concussion protocol, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Boutte was unable to return to this past Sunday's 28-24 win over the Ravens after checking out of the game in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a head injury. With Boutte now having been diagnosed with a concussion, he could face an uphill battle to clear the five-step protocol in advance of the Patriots' Week 17 game against the Jets. Boutte's potential absence could free up more playing time out wide for rookie Kyle Williams, who had previously seen his largest snap shares of the season in Weeks 10 and 11 while Boutte was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Grupe made both of his field-goal tries and all three PATs in Monday night's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.

Grupe's field goals were good from 39 and 51 yards, and he's now a perfect 7-for-7 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points across three games with the Colts after struggling through 11 contests with the Saints earlier this season.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Tuesday that Henderson is in concussion protocol, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Henderson missed the entire second half of Sunday's 28-24 win over the Ravens due to what the Patriots had been classifying as a head injury, which stemmed from a hard fall to the turf. With Vrabel now confirming that Henderson has sustained a concussion, the rookie running back will have limited time to clear the five-step protocol in advance of this Sunday's game at the Jets. If Henderson can't play in Week 17, Rhamondre Stevenson would likely move back into a lead role out of the New England backfield.

Pineiro converted two of three field-goal attempts and all six PATs in Monday night's 48-27 win over the Colts.

The Niners scored on seven of their first eight possessions versus Indianapolis, with the only unsuccessful drive being a missed 64-yard field goal from Pineiro as time expired before halftime. Pineiro's two makes were good from 25 and 38 yards. Through 12 games this season, Pineiro is 27-for-28 on field goals and 28-for-32 on extra points. His 96 percent success rate on field goals leads the league.

Johnson secured his only target for minus-1 yard in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

The rookie's minimal role persisted in Sunday's loss, with Johnson seeing the field on just 25 percent (16 snaps) of the Buccaneers' offensive plays. The recent return of Mike Evans and season debut of Jalen McMillan has predictably pushed Johnson down the depth chart, where he projects to remain for the final two games of the regular season and in the postseason, if Tampa Bay advances.

McMillan brought in two of three targets for 15 yards and rushed once for one yard in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Playing in just his second game of the season, McMillan had a modest role, albeit within the context of a day in which Baker Mayfield threw for just 145 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per attempt. McMillan did enjoy a solid snap share relative to the rest of the team's front-line receivers, as his 34 snaps (53 percent) were just two behind Emeka Egbuka and six and eight fewer than Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, respectively. McMillan should continue essentially splitting the No. 3 role with Egbuka during a favorable Week 17 road matchup against the Dolphins.

Otton recorded two catches for 15 yards on two targets in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Panthers.

With the Tampa Bay pass-catching corps getting healthier following the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, Otton appears set to occupy a more muted role in the aerial attack. The tight end has drawn four targets or fewer in each of the Buccaneers' last three games, producing seven catches for 43 yards during that stretch. The lack of reliable target volume makes Otton tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups heading into Tampa Bay's Week 17 matchup with the Dolphins.

Mostert rushed once for six yards and caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans. He also returned two kickoffs for 53 yards.

Mostert's only carry of the contest didn't come until the start of the fourth quarter, and workhorse running back Ashton Jeanty hogged the offensive spotlight with 25 total touches for 188 yards and two scores. A similarly one-sided backfield split can be expected against the Giants in Week 17.

Mayer caught one of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Mayer has not caught more than one pass in a single contest since Week 11, though he played 36 of 54 offensive snaps for the Raiders on Sunday. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Brock Bowers paced the team with five receptions on as many targets for 33 yards and a score.

Bech caught two of three targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Bech filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker after Tyler Lockett exited Sunday's contest early with a wrist injury, and Bech could see a similarly increased level of involvement against the Giants in Week 17 if Lockett remains sidelined. Bech has caught at least two passes in four consecutive games, but he's yet to find the end zone as a rookie.