Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Three catches to close out season
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Valdes-Scantling brought in three of eight targets for 33 yards in the Saints' 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The veteran wideout led the Saints in targets and finished a distant second in receiving yards to tight end Juwan Johnson. Valdes-Scantling was a relatively productive mid-season addition for New Orleans that made good use of the opportunity created by multiple injuries in the pass-catching corps, posting a 16-380-4 line over his last six games while offering a downfield dimension that Chris Olave (concussion) typically provided. Valdes-Scantling will be an unrestricted free agent come the new league year in March, and it remains to be seen if New Orleans will be interested in keeping him aboard for 2025 and beyond.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Full practice Thursday
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) practiced fully Thursday.
After sitting out Week 16 at Green Bay due to a chest injury and an illness, Valdes-Scantling was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Raiders, but his 78 percent snap share didn't amount to much in the box score (no catches on two targets). He since has followed up a limited session Wednesday with full participation one day later, thereby paving the way for active status Sunday at Tampa Bay. With no practice reps to speak of for No. 1 QB Derek Carr (left hand) this week, Valdes-Scantling appears as if he'll be on the receiving end of passes from rookie Spencer Rattler yet again.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Limited at practice Wednesday
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Valdes-Scantling was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a chest injury.
Valdes-Scantling sat out the Saints' Week 16 loss in Green Bay due to an illness and a chest issue, but he was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Raiders, playing 78 percent of the offensive snaps in a 25-10 loss. He didn't haul in either of his two targets in Week 17, and while interim head coach Darren Rizzi told Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune afterward that Valdes-Scantling picked up a back injury, the coach said one day later that the wide receiver checked out OK, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. In the end, the aforementioned chest injury continues to plague Valdes-Scantling as the Saints begin Week 18 prep.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Fine after injury scare
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Valdes-Scantling "checked out well" Monday after leaving Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Raiders due to a back injury in the fourth quarter, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Valdes-Scantling had dealt with a chest issue in practice recently, which may have precipitated the Saints' decision to pull him after he took a hard hit late in Sunday's loss. However, it appears the veteran wideout avoided a significant injury and isn't in danger of missing Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay. The Saints have been eliminated from playoff contention, but Valdes-Scantling does have some financial motivation to suit up against the Buccaneers, as he can earn a $250,000 bonus with one touchdown and another $250,000 with nine receptions.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Sustains injury during Week 17 loss
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Valdes-Scantling (back) did not catch either of his two targets during Sunday's 25-10 defeat versus the Raiders.
Valdes-Scantling was held without a catch for the first time since joining the Saints back in October. The 30-year-old also sustained a back injury after taking a hard hit late in the fourth quarter. New Orleans coach Darren Rizzi said postgame that the hit aggravated a pre-existing chest injury that had kept Valdes-Scantling out of practice recently, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. While it's unclear exactly how this back issue is connected to his previous chest injury, it's likely that Valdes-Scantling could be in jeopardy of missing next week's regular-season finale versus Tampa Bay, which would leave an already injury-riddled Saints squad even more shorthanded.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Back in action in Week 17
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
After sitting out a Week 16 at Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling was listed as limited Wednesday through Friday due to a lingering chest injury, which left him questionable for Week 17 action. No matter, he'll suit up Sunday alongside fellow WRs Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis and Cedrick Wilson. Considering he's the most established name among that quartet, Valdes-Scantling should be a favorite of current starting QB Spencer Rattler.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Status in question for Week 17
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Valdes-Scantling operated with a cap on his practice reps this week, which was a step up from his lack of activity last week before he was deemed inactive Monday in Green Bay. He isn't dealing with an illness anymore, but a chest injury has lingered, placing a cloud over his status for Week 17. Valdes-Scantling's availability, or lack thereof, will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Another limited listing
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) was limited at practice Thursday.
Valdes-Scantling has cobbled together back-to-back limited listings on the injury report this week, giving him only one more chance to get back to full participation Friday before the Saints potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Raiders. If he's able to suit up this weekend, Valdes-Scantling may be welcoming back Chris Olave (concussion), who remains on injured reserve but practiced fully Thursday.
Valdes-Scantling (chest) was listed as limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.
Valdes-Scantling is being listed on an injury report as anything other than a non-participant for the first time since Week 15 prep, signaling he's made some progress through the chest injury and illness that combined to sideline him in Monday's loss to the Packers. He'll have two more chances this week to join fellow wideout Chris Olave (concussion) as a full participant in practice, or otherwise risk heading into a second game in a row with a designation.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Inactive for MNF
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Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as inactive Monday at Green Bay.
Valdes-Scantling kicked off Week 16 prep with a DNP last Thursday due to a chest injury, but he remained out of practice as of Friday due to an illness and eventually was listed as questionable for Monday's game. With Valdes-Scantling unavailable, the Saints will be rolling with Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton at wide receiver.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Comes down with illness
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) didn't practice Friday due to an illness, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
After Valdes-Scantling was held out of drills Thursday due to a chest injury, there was an expectation that he'd take part in some capacity one day later, but an ailment kept him off the practice field. Saturday's injury report will give a sense of the wide receiver's chances to suit up Monday at Green Bay.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Not practicing
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Valdes-Scantling (chest) isn't practicing Friday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
Back-to-back absences hint at legitimate concern regarding his availability against the Packers on Monday. The short-handed Saints also have been practicing without QB Derek Carr (hand), RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and WR Bub Means (ankle, IR), potentially leaving the offensive burden on unproven players like QB Spencer Rattler, RB Kendre Miller and WR Kevin Austin. Their healthy wide receivers besides Austin are Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Dealing with chest issue
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Valdes-Scantling was a non-participant at Thursday's practice due to a chest injury.
As the Saints open Week 16 prep, Valdes-Scantling was among a handful of skill-position players to sit out drills, including QB Derek Carr (left hand), RB Alvin Kamara (groin) and WR Bub Means (ankle, IR). Kamara is unlikely to play Monday at Green Bay, while coach Darren Rizzi said Thursday that Spencer Rattler will start if Carr isn't able to, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. With a health concern now in tow, too, Valdes-Scantling's status now will be monitored to see if he also may be in danger of missing Week 16 action.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Catches two passes Week 15
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Valdes-Scantling gathered in two of seven targets for 64 yards during Sunday's 20-19 defeat versus the Commanders. He also logged one rush for four yards.
Valdes-Scantling briefly exited to get checked for a concussion during the fourth quarter, but he returned for the final drive of the game. The veteran wideout did not record a catch on three targets while quarterback Jake Haener was under center during the first half. He then wound up catching two long passes from rookie Spencer Rattler, who took over coming out of halftime. After totaling four touchdowns in his first three games with the Saints, Valdes-Scantling has gone two games in a row without a score. But, he's logged seven targets in each of these contests, and he's averaged 16.5 yards per catch on 21 targets across five games with New Orleans. The Saints will next play versus Green Bay on Monday, Dec. 23.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Four grabs in Sunday's win
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Valdes-Scantling caught four of seven targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 14-11 win over the Giants.
The veteran wideout led the Saints in receiving yards, just nudging out Juwan Johnson's 50, but it was the tight end who caught Derek Carr's only TD. The QB left the game late in the fourth quarter to be checked out for a concussion and a hand injury, and while Valdes-Scantling has an 11-283-4 line on 17 targets over the last four games, he'll likely have trouble finding the same success in Week 15 against the Commanders if Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler is under center for the Saints instead of Carr.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Sleeper WRs
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Taysom Hill (knee) is now out for the season, and the Saints are running out of reliable pass catchers heading into Week 14 at the Giants. Enter Valdes-Scantling, who has done a nice job scoring touchdowns of late, but maybe he can do a little more in other areas. He has four touchdowns in his past three games with the Saints but had three touchdowns in two seasons (33 games) with the Chiefs. Now, he only has 10 targets in those three games with seven catches, but maybe Derek Carr will start to lean on him more in Week 14. The Giants are No. 11 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, but Valdes-Scantling is worth a flier in deeper formats with the chance of more targets coming his way.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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Fun stat for Valdes-Scantling heading into Week 14: he has four touchdowns in his past three games with the Saints but had three touchdowns in two seasons (33 games) with the Chiefs. While the touchdowns are great, Valdes-Scantling only has 10 targets in those three games with seven catches. He could see an uptick in targets and production with Taysom Hill (knee) now injured, but Valdes-Scantling is still just a No. 3 Fantasy receiver at best in the majority of leagues. He's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Stays hot with another TD
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Valdes-Scantling corralled two of three targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Rams.
Valdes-Scantling was the recipient of Derek Carr's only passing touchdown in a defensive battle with the Rams. MVS has been on a heater over his last three games, accruing 232 yards and four scores over that span. It is worth mentioning that the veteran receiver is averaging 2.3 receptions over his current hot streak, highlighting the all-or-nothing nature of Valdes-Scantling as a fantasy asset this season. He is worth starting against the Giants next Sunday and beyond until he cools off.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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It's not a bad idea to roster Valdes-Scantling even with New Orleans on a bye because he's making big plays for Derek Carr, and hopefully that continues in Week 13 until the end of the season. Now, Valdes-Scantling only has seven targets in his past two games combined against Atlanta and Cleveland, but he's turned that into five catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns, which is hard to overlook. Valdes-Scantling is worth adding for 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Saints' Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Another long TD in Sunday's win
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Valdes-Scantling caught two of four targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Browns.
For the second straight week, Valdes-Scantling and Derek Carr hooked up for a long TD -- this one a 71-yarder in the second quarter -- but the wideout did most of the work this time, taking a short pass over the middle and racing more than 60 yards to paydirt. The four targets were Valdes-Scantling's highest volume in three games since joining New Orleans, but he's posted a mammoth 6-201-3 line on his meager eight looks. He'll try not to cool down during the Saints' Week 12 bye.
