NFL Player News
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Brandon Johnson WR | PIT
Brandon Johnson: Returning to Pittsburgh
The Steelers are signing Johnson to their practice squad, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Johnson most recently had been on Tampa Bay's practice squad before being cut Dec. 15. He's familiar with the Steelers organization, having been with the team last year and playing in three games, catching his only target for nine yards. Johnson's signing comes in the wake of DK Metcalf being suspended by the NFL for two games following an altercation with a fan this past Sunday. Johnson will provide organizational depth at wideout but isn't likely to garner a major role on game days.
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Dylan Sampson RB | CLE
Browns' Dylan Sampson: Looks set to practice Wednesday
Sampson (hand) is in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
The Browns will release their first Week 17 practice report later Wednesday, when it will be known whether Sampson was a limited or full participant. Sampson was unable to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bills, but if the rookie running back is able to move past the hand injury this week, he could be primed to handle a lead role out of the Cleveland backfield. Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) underwent season-ending surgery and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, leaving Sampson, Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders as the available backs on Cleveland's 53-man roster.
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Not practicing to begin Week 17
Njoku (knee) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku hasn't played in either of the Browns' last two games while managing the knee injury, and his continued absence from practice to kick off Week 17 prep doesn't bode well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers. The Browns will see if Njoku is able to do anything on the field Thursday and Friday before deciding on his status for the weekend. If Njoku ends up missing another game, rookie Harold Fannin would continue to be locked into a high-volume role at tight end, and more snaps would be available for blocking specialists Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates.
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Mo Alie-Cox TE | IND
Colts' Mo Alie-Cox: Two catches against San Francisco
Alie-Cox caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.
Alie-Cox continued his depth role at tight end Monday, playing just 13 of the Colts' 60 offensive snaps behind rookie Tyler Warren (53). The veteran's two grabs were his first catches since Week 12, bring him to seven receptions for 75 yards on the season. Barring an injury to Warren, Alie-Cox remains far off the fantasy radar as the Colts prepare to host the Jaguars in Week 17.
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Ameer Abdullah RB | IND
Colts' Ameer Abdullah: Records one catch against 49ers
Abdullah caught his lone target for four yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.
Abdullah failed to record a single rushing attempt in the contest while playing just four of the Colts' 60 offensive snaps. With Jonathan Taylor handling the vast majority of snaps at running back, Abdullah and teammate Tyler Goodson are left to handle the few remaining opportunities in the Colts' backfield. The veteran cannot be trusted for fantasy purposes in a Week 17 matchup against the Jaguars.
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Tyler Goodson RB | ATL
Colts' Tyler Goodson: Handles three carries in loss
Goodson rushed three times for nine yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.
Goodson's three carries Monday were his first rushing attempts since Week 10. In 10 appearances, the 25-year-old running back has recorded just eight rushes for 21 yards, adding two catches on three targets for eight yards. Barring an injury to Jonathan Taylor down the stretch, Goodson will remain far off the fantasy radar in a Week 17 matchup against the Jaguars.
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David Sills WR | TB
Falcons' David Sills: Blanked by Cardinals
Sills failed to reel in his lone target in Sunday's 26-19 win over the Cardinals.
Sills played 32 of the Falcons' 77 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both Darnell Mooney (54) and Drake London (53). Atlanta's No. 3 wideout followed up his career-best effort in Week 15 with a catchless performance in Week 16, his ninth game without a grab in 15 appearances. Sills remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Rams.
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Darnell Mooney WR | NYG
Falcons' Darnell Mooney: Records two catches in win
Mooney caught both of his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 26-19 win over the Cardinals.
Mooney played 54 of the Falcons' 77 offensive snaps Sunday, the most of any Atlanta wide receiver in the contest. Despite leading the the receiving corps in snaps, the veteran wideout continued his streak of underwhelming performances. In 13 appearances, Mooney has recorded just 27 catches for 388 yards and a touchdown. The 28-year-old will remain difficult to trust for significant fantasy production heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Rams.
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Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Two grabs against Giants
Oliver caught two of three targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Oliver's three targets Sunday matched a season high set in Week 5. The veteran tight end played 32 of the Vikings' 61 offensive snaps, while starter T.J. Hockenson was on the field for 46 snaps. In 13 appearances this season, Oliver has recorded just 12 catches for 123 yards and four touchdowns. Though his touchdown mark is a career high for the San Jose State product, he hasn't been involved enough to be trusted as a fantasy asset behind Hockenson. Oliver remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Lions.
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Jalen Nailor WR | LV
Vikings' Jalen Nailor: Held catchless in Week 16
Nailor failed to secure either of his two targets in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Giants.
Nailor was a complete nonfactor Sunday despite playing 62 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. Minnesota's offense has struggled with J.J. McCarthy (hand) at quarterback, but with McCarthy suffering an injury in Week 16, Max Brosmer is set to start in Week 17. Nailor should continue to be the victim of both limited opportunities and underwhelming quarterback play, capping his potential going forward. The 26-year-old should be ignored for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Lions.