NFL Player News

Due to “complications” from a previous knee surgery in college, Dehner Jr. writes, the rookie tight end will now undergo two knee surgeries instead of just one. All being sidelined for the 2025 year will undoubtedly put more emphasis on the Bengals to re-sign Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson. Hopefully All will be able to return for the 2026 season after a decent 20/158/0 receiving line for the Bengals in two months before tearing his ACL.

McBride trailed Michael Wilson in targets (9) and faced plenty of double teams against a Rams secondary that has been stingy against opposing slot pass catchers in 2025. McBride was open for a fourth quarter garbage time touchdown, but Jacoby Brissett missed him with an overthrow. McBride will continue operating as an elite wide receiver who can be used as a tight end in fantasy lineups next week against the Texans. McBride has 48 receptions over his past five games thanks to Brissett’s ability to see over the Arizona offensive line and his willingness to throw the ball more than five yards downfield.

Raiders QB Geno Smith injured his right, throwing shoulder on the final play of the third quarter and was immediately taken to the locker room, thrusting Pickett into the starting lineup. Pickett took over on 3rd-and-7 from the Broncos’ seven-yard line and eventually turned the ball over on downs. The journeyman quarterback showed a decent connection with rookie WR Jack Bech thereafter and eventually connected with WR Shedrick Jackson, Bo Jackson’s nephew, for a 25-yard touchdown. It is Jackson’s first career reception. Pickett is a potential QB2 against the Eagles next week.

Corum and Kyren Williams — and in the fourth quarter, Ronnie Rivers — were ripping off one chunk gain after another against a lifeless Cardinals defense that didn’t have a whole lot of interest in tackling the hard-running LA backs. Corum blew through the Arizona front seven time and again until he ripped off a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter without a single Cards defender laying a hand on him. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has said he wants to keep Williams “fresh” for the postseason, meaning Corum is live for 12-15 weekly touches depending largely on game script. Corum, averaging nearly five yards per carry this season, will be a viable 12-team flex in Week 15 against Detroit.

Nacua made easy work of an Arizona defense that wasn’t terribly interested in defending Rams players in Week 14. Nacua dominated the LA passing attack with a 35 percent target share and led the team in air yards. He bullied his way into the end zone for his second touchdown against a dismal Cardinals secondary that allowed 281 yards and three scores to Matthew Stafford. Week 14 was only the fourth time Nacua has exceeded 100 receiving yards this season. His touchdowns were the first time he’s found pay dirt in nearly a month. He’ll be an elite option in Week 15 against a deteriorating Lions coverage unit.

Four of Bech’s targets were thrown to him by backup QB Kenny Pickett, who replaced QB Geno Smith (right shoulder) in the second half. Bech’s upside is unknown, and largely in doubt, but he does seem to have a decent connection with Pickett. Bech could warrant boom-bust FLEX consideration against the Eagles in Week 15.

Raiders QB Geno Smith looked Tucker’s way twice during the two-minute drill in the second quarter, but the two were unable to connect. The first pass hit the dirt as Tucker attempted to dive for it. Broncos CB Pat Surtain II easily batted down the second along the left sideline. Tucker nearly ripped on a long gain on the Raiders’ sixth drive. He got open on a post route, but Smith’s pass arrived late, resulting in a failed spinning catch attempt by Tucker in the middle of the field. The camera angle showed just one safety between Tucker and the end zone. Tucker is a boom-bust FLEX against the Eagles next week

McDaniel said Achane would have been available to return in the event of an emergency after the star running back exited in the second quarter. When asked if Achane would be available to play in Week 15 against the Steelers, McDaniel offered a not-so-reassuring, “I promise you, he’ll be in there if he’s ready,” as his response. It doesn’t sound like this is a major injury, but the proof will be in the practice report. With the Dolphins not playing until Monday, we’ll keep our eyes out for Thursday’s practice report, assuming we don’t hear anything before then.

Broncos running backs accounted for 8-of-16 offensive touches on the team’s first drive, with backup RBs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin worryingly combining for three. Harvey pulled away from the latter two as the game progressed, though, operating as the offensive focal point as the Broncos trounced the division-rival Raiders. Harvey played with physicality on runs up the middle, capping off his team’s fifth drive with one such play on a three-yard touchdown run. His six receptions tie for a team-high. Harvey is an RB2 against the Packers in Week 15.

Engram caught his first pass of the day, a six-yard completion, on a slant route during the Broncos’ third drive, at which point the broadcast began pouring out their large amount of pre-game notes on the sporadically involved pass catcher. He managed just one more reception thereafter. Engram is a moderate TE2 against the Eagles.

The good news is that Musgrave, along with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, led the Packers in targets. The bad news is that Matt LaFleur deployed a three-headed committee at tight end. Musgrave, Josh Whyle, and Josh Fitzpatrick all run between 30 and 40 percent of the routes. Until Musgrave separates from the pack, he will be on the outside of the TE2 ranks looking in.