NFL Player News
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Raheem Mostert RB | LV
Raiders' Raheem Mostert: Makes one catch in loss
Mostert caught his lone target for two yards and he returned two kickoffs for 55 yards in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Broncos.
Mostert's only offensive touch of the contest came on the Raiders' final drive with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, catching a short pass from backup quarterback Kenny Pickett before running out of bounds. Mostert hasn't handled more than two carries in a single game since Week 6, but he's up to 10 total receptions on as many targets for 65 yards this season.
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Riley Leonard QB | IND
Colts' Riley Leonard: Dealing with PCL sprain
Leonard was diagnosed with a Grade 1 PCL sprain of his right knee following Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
After Daniel Jones sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon late in the first quarter of Sunday's contest, Leonard stepped in under center and directed the Indianapolis offense for the remainder of the game. Though Leonard didn't miss a snap upon taking over for Jones, he emerged from the game with a knee issue that now threatens his availability for this Sunday's game in Seattle. According to Rapoport, the Colts plan to have the dual-threat rookie make his first NFL start this weekend if he's healthy enough to do so, and Leonard could have the chance to hang on to the job for the balance of the season if he performs well. Since Anthony Richardson (orbital) has yet to resume practicing and will remain on injured reserve for at least one more week, practice squad member Brett Rypien is the lone healthy quarterback in the Colts organization at the moment. Regardless of Leonard's status for Sunday's game, Indianapolis will surely add depth to its quarterback room this week, which could include 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who worked out for the team Monday night. Because Rivers hasn't played professionally since 2020, the Colts would have him start out on the practice squad if he ends up getting signed rather than having him immediately challenge Leonard for top slotting on the depth chart.
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Keaton Mitchell RB | BAL
Ravens' Keaton Mitchell: MRI yields encouraging news
An MRI on Mitchell's knee came back clean after he exited Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Steelers, and the running back's injury is viewed as minor, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Before leaving early Sunday, the explosive Mitchell made an impact during his limited time on the field, contributing 76 rushing yards and a touchdown on six totes while bringing back three kickoffs for 72 yards. Though Mitchell has proven to be a potent complementary piece out of the backfield over his first three NFL season, durability is becoming a growing concern for the 23-year-old. Mitchell previously tore the ACL in his left knee back in December 2023, but fortunately, his latest knee issue appears to be less significant. The Ravens are categorizing Mitchell as day-to-day, leaving the door open for him to potentially be available this Sunday in Cincinnati.
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Jaleel McLaughlin RB | DEN
Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Handles four carries in win
McLaughlin rushed four times for 22 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Raiders.
McLaughlin played just 10 of the Broncos' 74 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both RJ Harvey (50) and Tyler Badie (12). The 25-year-old running back was unable to get much going with his limited opportunities, as Harvey continued to establish himself as the No. 1 option out of the backfield while recording 100 total scrimmage yards on 23 touches and a touchdown. McLaughlin remains a solid insurance policy in the event that Harvey were to miss time down the stretch, but barring an injury, he should not be trusted for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Packers.
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Azeez Al-Shaair LB | HOU
Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Closes out Chiefs
Al-Shaair made five tackles and recorded an interception in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chiefs in Week 14.
Houston's defense dominated, but it was still a one-score game when Al-Shaair picked off a Patrick Mahomes pass intended for Travis Kelce deep in Kansas City territory. That set up Houston's final score, a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal, that secured the win for the Texans. The interception was the first of the season for the linebacker, who leads the team with 84 tackles through 13 games.
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Jalen Pitre SAF | HOU
Texans' Jalen Pitre: Part of smothering defense
Pitre logged six tackles and an interception in Sunday's 20-10 win over Kansas City in Week 14.
Pitre was prominent in the game which was dominated by Houston's defense. He was part of an effort that limited Travis Kelce (one catch, five targets, eight yards), who was a big reason why the Texans' 2024 season ended in the playoffs. Pitre also had the signature play of the game when he blew up Rashee Rice late in the third quarter. The cornerback followed that with an interception in the fourth quarter, one of three picks thrown by Kanas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Since returning from a three-game absence due to a concussion in Week 13, Pitre has nine tackles (five solo) and four passes defensed.
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Tez Johnson WR | TB
Buccaneers' Tez Johnson: No stats over 34 snaps
Johnson failed to draw a target in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Johnson went without a target for the first time in his nascent career, despite the fact he logged a solid 34 snaps (46 percent). Johnson now has one or zero catches in three of the last four contests, and with Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) seemingly on the verge of activation from injured reserve, the rookie could have an even more difficult path to targets down the stretch.
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Sterling Shepard WR | TB
Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Non-factor again Sunday
Shepard brought in his only target for five yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Shepard was held to one catch and single-digit yardage for the second straight game, even though he played 42 snaps (57 percent). However, Baker Mayfield slogged through rainy conditions and completed under 50 percent of his passes while netting just 122 yards, so Shepard's line isn't as alarming within that context. Nevertheless, with the activation of Mike Evans (IR, collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (IR, neck) both appearing imminent, Shepard isn't likely to retain any relevance during the upcoming fantasy playoffs.
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DeVonta Smith WR | PHI
Eagles' DeVonta Smith: Odd man out Monday
Smith was held to four receptions on eight targets for 37 yards in Monday's 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers.
Smith found himself acting as the third wheel for the Eagles' passing offense in Week 14 after fellow wideout A.J. Brown and TE Dallas Goedert commanded double-digit targets from QB Jalen Hurts. The 26-year-old Smith has seemingly fallen out of favor coming out of Philadelphia's Week 9 bye, posting averages of 4.0 receptions and 50.2 yards in those five outings. Perhaps a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Week 15 will reignite Smith in time for the fantasy playoffs.
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Quentin Johnston WR | LAC
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Used sparingly in win
Johnston caught two of his three targets for eight yards in the Chargers' 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles on Monday.
Los Angeles couldn't get anything going through the air as almost half of the team's total passing yards (139) came on a two-yard checkdown to second-year running back Kimani Vidal who burst ahead for a 60-yard completion. That's a credit to the fearsome Philadelphia pass rush who created pressure on over half of Justin Herbert's dropbacks. None of that really helps fantasy managers dependent on Johnston, however, and it's entirely possible similar issues present themselves against a difficult Kansas City defense in Arrowhead come Week 15.