NFL Player News

Cooks, Smith, and Wilson all missed last week’s game against the Jets, but them being on the field this early in the week is a good sign for their availability on Sunday against the Cardinals. With the Cowboys also coming in as heavy favorites on Sunday, they could choose to be cautious with Cooks’ involvement, but this is a positive first step in his recovery.

Coker was slow to get going at the beginning of the game, but made his first grab in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half. He was utilized more in the second half, making a 34-yard catch on the sideline while drawing defensive pass interference on the same play late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers have made Coker the No. 2 wideout next to Tetairoa McMillan, though he is in the WR5 range in a tough matchup against the Seahawks for Week 17.

Jeudy saw a combined nine air yards on the three catches he made. The veteran receiver struggled to get anything going downfield on Sunday against the Bills. Jeudy has gone for 39 or fewer yards in four of Shedeur Sanders’ five starts this season and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a desperation play in Week 17 against the Steelers.

Brosmer took over for J.J. McCarthy after halftime. The latter suffered a hand injury on his final snap of the first half and was quickly ruled out. Per The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, McCarthy is not believed to have suffered any broken bones. He will undergo further testing on Monday. Brosmer will likely draw the start in Week 17, though McCarthy can’t be ruled out entirely just yet. Neither quarterback will be on the QB2 radar for the final week of the fantasy football season.

After a few low-volume weeks, McMillan was back to double-digit target volume against the Buccaneers. He operated as the team’s lead wideout and saw multiple end zone targets. Bryce Young was able to find McMillan to convert on one of those end zone targets for a 22-yard score at the end of the first half. Coming off foot/ankle injuries from this past week, McMillan was not hampered by the issues and finishes with 73 receiving yards on his ten targets. He profiles as a fantasy WR2 for Week 17 against the Seahawks.

Williams backpedaled in coverage, pivoted to his right and attempted to push off his left leg. Instead, the leg gave out. Williams looked behind him, seemingly investigating whether an opponent had made contact with his lower body. He then began hopping on his right leg, unable to put weight on his left leg. Sadly, this was a fairly straightforward Achilles tendon rupture. He was eventually carted away after the trainers met with him on the field. Williams recorded three pass breakups and one interception this season. Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat (ankle) is questionable to return.

Hockenson popped up for a usable fantasy outing last week, catching four balls for 66 yards. He came crashing back to Earth today with his worst outing of the year. Hockenson has been held under 20 yards in five of his past eight games. He can be left out of starting fantasy lineups heading into Week 17.

Sanders saw most of his opportunities after Quinshon Judkins (leg/ankle) left in the second quarter. Sanders’ 11 carries wound up leading all Browns players on Sunday, but it was Trayveon Williams who served as the primary pass-catching back sans Judkins. Sanders saw eight of his 11 carries come on the Browns’ seventh possession of the game, and he felt a yard shy of a rushing touchdown that ended up being converted by Harold Fannin on the following play. Sanders could have some upside in Week 17 against the Steelers, but that will largely hinge on whether or not Dylan Sampson (hand) is able to get on the field.

In a game that resulted in just 130 passing yards for the Bills, Shakir led the team in receptions, yards, and targets. His biggest gain of the day came on an 18-yard reception to help set up James Cook for an eventual touchdown, but this was easily one of Shakir’s most forgettable outings of the season. He’ll be hard to trust as anything more than a WR3 in Week 17’s game against the Eagles.

Hubbard continues to play second fiddle to Rico Dowdle, seeing seven touches to Dowdle’s 13 touches. His first carry came in the red zone, where he rushed for a loss of two yards. With Dowdle also getting work in the two-minute drill and passing game, it is difficult to find a path to fantasy usage for Hubbard. He is a risky FLEX play for Week 17 against the Seahawks.

Olave over the past two weeks has turned his air yards domination into actual fantasy production, which is nice. Tyler Shough, who had 308 yards on the day, targeted Olave relentlessly from start to finish against a Jets secondary that has been shredded in recent weeks. Olave caught one touchdown from Shough and one from 35-year-old gadget player Taysom Hill, who functioned as the centerpiece of the Saints offense for some reason. Olave’s domination of targets and air yards in the New Orleans offense gives him weekly top-10 upside. He’ll get the Titans in Week 17.