NFL Player News

Collins was carted from the field in the third quarter of the Browns’ Week 13 loss to the 49ers and will now miss the remainder of the season. Collins is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days. The 10-year vet has been playing at a high level in his first year with the Browns, notching a career-high 6.5 sacks in the 12 games he’s appeared in while also totaling 25 tackles, seven TFLs, and 13 QB hits. Collins joined the Browns on a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason and should be ready in time for the start of training camp next season.

Penix was a mess in the first half, missing Drake London on what should have been an walk-in 30-yard touchdown. The Falcons abandoned the run game in the second half, facing a three touchdown deficit, and Penix threw three touchdowns in hurry-up mode. Taking five sacks on the day, Penix targeted London and Jahan Dotson heavily, connecting with Dotson on a nicely thrown 41-yard gain in the second half. This was the first multiple-TD game of Penix’s season. He’ll be a low-ceiling superflex play in Week 7 against the 49ers.

The Saints offense has not pushed the ball downfield over the past two weeks, leading to low-scoring outputs for Vele. He caught three passes on the day, and nearly reeled in a fourth catch on a Tyler Shough sideline overthrow in the second quarter. When the Saints aren’t in a pass-happy game script, Vele is relegated to touchdown-dependent FLEX value. He will be in the WR4 ranks against the Steelers for Week 7.

Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get much going outside of check-downs for the better part of three quarters. Then, in desperation mode, Rodgers started forcing targets to his No. 1 receiver. Metcalf saw 12 targets in the fourth quarter and overtime. He turned that into 81 yards, otherwise known as nearly all of his production for the day. Metcalf’s ability to win downfield and on the boundary isn’t being maximized by Rodgers, but the team is throwing so often that Metcalf can still rack up fantasy points with ease. With a vulnerable Saints defense on deck for Week 7, Metcalf is on the WR2/3 border as we approach the midpoint of the season.

Olave finished as the Saints’ leading receiver after coming into the weekend questionable with an illness. He was able to salvage his fantasy day with an 18-yard score at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Despite a season-low 43 yards receiving, Olave is still averaging just under 100 yards receiving per game this season. There is no question he belongs in the fantasy WR1 ranks heading into a Week 7 showdown against the Steelers.

It was a rough fantasy day for Downs, who committed two terrible drops and was stopped at the one-inch line on his second quarter end-around. He was also the intended target on one of Daniel Jones’ two interceptions, though the miscue was Downs’ fault after he bobbled a ball up into the air. On top of everything, Downs also tweaked his shoulder. He did at least remain in the game. Just not looking up to the No. 1 receiver task as the Colts await Alec Pierce’s return, Downs is sadly maxing out as a low-ceiling WR3 option in fantasy leagues.

Tate’s eight-yard fourth quarter score was the first of his career. He simply beat the defense to the spot in the end zone. Although the touchdown was great, it was Tate’s 19-yard grab early in the third frame that was the highlight of the day. He skied over CB Justin Walley. Playing much better football of late even as second-year QB Cam Ward struggles to return the favor, Tate has stabilized his WR3 value and will be pushing for WR2 status with injuries mounting and bye weeks in full swing.

With the Falcons down by three touchdowns and abandoning the run game in the second half, Robinson had little chance of paying off as a Week 6 flex in the usually run-first Atlanta offense. Chicago snuffed out the Falcons run game and forced Michael Penix to try to beat them through the air. Robinson will be a game-script sensitive RB3 option in Week 7 against the 49ers.

A messy Saints committee backfield had Donaldson get the second-most snaps among New Orleans running backs against the Giants. He and Alvin Kamara were the passing-down backs while Donaldson also had a 17-yard run, the longest run by a Saints running back on the day. His first-career touchdown was called back in the third quarter after he was ruled down just shy of the goal line. The 22-year-old rookie has had a surprisingly high utilization early in the season and will continue to be involved while Travis Etienne is out. Despite this, his fantasy impact will mainly be to dilute Kamara and Kendre Miller’s fantasy values. Donaldson should only be rostered in the deepest of leagues heading into Week 7.

This one is going to leave a mark. The Colts led 13-0 at halftime but couldn’t get anything going after the break, where they committed two turnovers and Jones provided just 116 yards passing. His third quarter pick came only moments after a lost Jonathan Taylor fumble. It went right to Titans corner Cor’Dale Flott. Jones was not helped by some shaky hands from default No. 1 receiver Josh Downs, but he simply was not standing and delivering. Jones is really struggling to drive the ball this season, and he’s contributing far less than usual with his legs. In other words, he looks like a 29-year-old coming off a torn achilles’ tendon. There is little reason to expect things to get better in the near term, very much including Week 7 against Brian Flores’ ferocious Vikings defense.

With DeVonta Smith back, Cooper played just 39 of 64 snaps and ran a route on 26 of the team’s 52 dropbacks. Those were both fourth among wide receivers on the team. Cooper’s fantasy value is likely limited until there is another injury in the receiving room.