NFL Player News

Johnston popped up on the injury report with a hamstring issue Wednesday. The 24-year-old is experiencing an electric start to the season but fumbled in a four-catch, 40-yard game in Week 5. The Chargers’ high usage of Johnston has frustrated Ladd McConkey owners so far this season. Should Johnston miss any time or be limited in Week 6, McConkey and Keenan Allen could see an uptick in targets, while rookies KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris would compete for deep routes. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for Johnston’s practice status throughout the week. Meanwhile, WR Derius Davis (knee) was a non-participant in the Chargers’ receiving corps.

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.