NFL Player News
-
Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Seahawks' Sam Darnold: Redeems himself late in OT win
Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding three rushes for seven yards in the Seahawks' 38-37 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night. He also threw a pair of two-point conversion passes.
Darnold threw his fifth and sixth interceptions against the Rams this season in the second half, with the first pick leading to a Blake Corum one-yard touchdown one play later. However, the veteran signal-caller bounced back with a 26-yard touchdown strike to AJ Barner with just over six minutes remaining in regulation, and he then led a nine-play, 65-yard march in overtime that he capped off with a four-yard touchdown toss to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Head coach Mike Macdonald then opted to go for the game-winning two-point conversion, and Darnold delivered once again by finding Eric Saubert to seal the comeback victory. Darnold's multi-touchdown tally was his third in the last five games, and he'll look to carry over the late-game momentum into a Week 17 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 28.
-
Nick Emmanwori SAF | SEA
Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori: Clears concussion protocol
Emmanwori cleared concussion protocol during Thursday's game against the Rams, Corbin K. Smith of SI.com reports.
Emmanwori exited the game late in the fourth quarter and was ultimately cleared to return in overtime. He didn't retake the field because Seattle had the ball on their game-winning drive when he was cleared, but Emmanwori should be ready to suit up in Week 17 against the Panthers.
-
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR | SEA
Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Surges after first-half blanking
Smith-Njigba secured eight of 13 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks' 38-37 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.
Smith-Njigba was shockingly shut out in the first half, but the star wideout made up for it in the second half and overtime. The star wideout delivered his touchdown in the extra period to get Seattle within a point before Eric Saubert snagged a game-winning two-point conversion reception. Prior to the scoring catch, Smith-Njigba also recorded a critical 17-yard reception earlier in the possession to move the Seahawks into Rams territory, and he finished with his best reception tally in the last four games. Smith-Njigba will head into a Week 17 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 28 with a 104-1,637-10 line on a whopping 143 targets.
-
Kevin Dotson OG | LAR
Rams' Kevin Dotson: On crutches following loss
Dotson (ankle) was spotted on crutches and was wearing a walking boot following Thursday's loss to the Seahawks, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Dotson suffered an ankle injury in the first and was carted to the locker room after being evaluated on the sideline. There's no word on the potential length of his absence, though the initial indications aren't particularly positive.
-
Kenneth Walker III RB | SEA
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Long TD run in OT win
Walker rushed 11 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and brought in all three targets for 64 yards in the Seahawks' 38-37 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.
Walker delivered quite the spark early in the second half, rattling off a season-high 55-yard touchdown run off right guard to erase what had been 13-7 deficit. The performance marked Walker's second 100-yard effort of the season, and he also delivered a season-long 46-yard catch on his way to a season-high receiving yardage total. Walker outpaced backfield mate Zach Charbonnet by two carries and 68 rushing yards Thursday, but the two players are likely to remain in their usual narrow timeshare in a Week 17 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 28
-
Puka Nacua WR | LAR
Rams' Puka Nacua: Extends torrid stretch Thursday
Nacua brought in 12 of 16 targets for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night.
Nacua was involved even more than usual due to Davante Adams' (knee/hamstring) inactive status, and the former delivered a standout performance that included a new career high in receiving yards. Nacua got there with three catches of 40-plus yards, including a 41-yard touchdown reception in overtime that momentarily snapped a 30-30 tie. The BYU product also kickstarted the Rams' third drive of the game with a 54-yard grab, and Thursday marked his fifth double-digit reception tally of the season. Adams should have a chance to return for a Week 17 Monday night matchup against the Falcons on Dec. 29, but Nacua will naturally remain an elite fantasy playoffs option in all formats irrespective of his teammate's availability.
-
Matthew Stafford QB | LAR
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Stellar showing in loss
Stafford completed 29 of 49 passes for 457 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Rams' 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for six yards.
Stafford's outstanding numbers, which included a season-high passing yardage total, ultimately went for naught from a real-world football perspective, but the veteran signal-caller certainly delivered handsomely for fantasy managers rolling with him in their playoff games. With Davante Adams (knee/hamstring) sidelined, Stafford unsurprisingly focused even more attention than usual on Puka Nacua, who he'd end up connecting with on 12 occasions for 225 yards and two touchdowns from one yard (fourth quarter) and 41 yards (overtime) out. Stafford had also hit rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson from three yards out with under four minutes remaining in the first half for his third three touchdown-pass tally over the last five games, and he'll next take aim at the Falcons in a Week 17 road matchup on Monday night, Dec. 29.
-
Tariq Woolen CB | SEA
Seahawks' Riq Woolen: Exits Thursday due to knee injury
Woolen is questionable to return to Thursday's Week 16 matchup against the Rams due to a knee issue.
Woolen is one of three Seattle defensive backs who have exited the contest -- Nick Emmanwori is being evaluated for a concussion, and Coby Bryant has been ruled out due to a knee injury. Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett and Ty Okada are consequently all in the game, which has gone to overtime.
-
Nick Emmanwori SAF | SEA
Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori: Getting checked on for concussion
Emmanwori is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Thursday's Week 16 game against the Rams.
Emmanwori was hurt while defending a pass late in the fourth quarter. The contest has since gone to overtime, but the impressive rookie defensive back may not be able to return. Cornerback Riq Woolen is also questionable to return due to a knee issue, and safety Coby Bryant has been ruled out with a knee injury of his own, so Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett and Ty Okada are all getting more work than usual.
-
Coby Bryant SAF | SEA
Seahawks' Coby Bryant: Done for night
Bryant (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday night's contest against the Rams, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.
Bryant had the back of his leg rolled up on in the second half, and he ultimately walked back to the locker room before being ruled out. In his absence, Ty Okada will likely step into a more significant role at safety versus Los Angeles.