NFL Player News

Smith sustained a hip injury last week during practice that required testing, but was considered short term in nature. Smith’s return to practice in such short order suggests it’s not an ailment that will linger into the middle and late parts of August. Smith, 33, told reporters last week that he intends to run more in 2024. Smith in 2023 had a mere 55 yards on 37 carries after rushing for 366 yards on 68 carries as Seattle’s starter in 2022. He said he “can add an extra element to what defenses have to account for if I get a couple extra first downs or a couple extra touchdowns” on the ground.

Watson missed a few plays with an undisclosed injury after colliding with Jayden Reed earlier in the quarter. He returned to the field on the Packers’ next possession and appears to be good to go.

Watson fell victim to friendly fire when he and fellow receiver Jayden Reed collided on a passing play. Both Watson and Reed were injured on the play and went to the sidelines, but Reed returned after missing just one play. Watson was later seen on the sideline with his helmet, so it’s possible he’ll return on the Packers’ next drive.

Given the nature of the hit that Love suffered in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Love took a hard shot to the head from Bears defensive end Austin Booker and was immediately removed from the game before later being ruled out. Love’s day ends with a passing line of 77-0-0 on 8-of-13 passing. His best drive came on the Packers’ opening possession of the game, but it stalled in the red zone after a failed pass on fourth-and-one led to a turnover on downs. Backup QB Malik Willis took over for Love following his injury and will draw the start in Week 17 against the Ravens if Love is unable to go.

Love was sacked on a first down in the second quarter and took a hard helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears defensive end Austin Booker. Booker was flagged on the play for roughing the passer, but Love remained down for several minutes before heading to the sideline and then the locker room to be evaluated. He is considered as questionable to return at this time. Backup Malik Willis took over for Love.

Samuel had a 20-yard catch, and then two more short yardage connections. It’s now three-straight contests that he hasn’t reached 50 yards, and he hasn’t found paydirt since November 16. Long story short, fantasy managers need to look elsewhere for Week 17 against the Cowboys in the majority of fantasy leagues, especially if Josh Johnson has to start that contest for Washington.

It just is what it is at this point. McLaurin and the Commanders’ passing attack was obviously affected by Marcus Mariota (hand) leaving the contest — not to mention Mariota was replacing Jayden Daniels (elbow) in the first place — but it’s not as if the 30-year-old was effective prior to those ailments. McLaurin will be a WR3 for a Week 17 showdown against the Cowboys, and this will go down as one of the most disappointing seasons for a wideout in 2025. If Josh Johnson is the starting quarterback on Christmas, it’d be fair to drop him down considerably lower.