NFL Player News

Per Colts beat writer James Boyd, Pierce was “doing some agility work off to the side” at Thursday’s practice. The Colts’ speedy deep threat entered the league’s concussion protocol on Monday after suffering a concussion in last week’s loss to the Broncos. He’ll be a long-shot to play in Week 16 if he can’t get on the field on Friday.

Austin had gone for 65 yards in his previous two contests, but didn’t even reach the halfway point of that mark in the blowout loss. The 25-year-old did most of his damage in the second half, and damage might be too strong of a word. Austin will be in the WR5 vicinity for the final game of the regular season against the Bengals.

It looked like it might be a big game for Pickens in his return from his hamstring injury, as he hauled in an early 41-yard reception to put the Steelers into the red zone. He was not a factor from that point on, as there was more head-shaking from Pickens on the sideline than receptions. Pickens offers a great deal of volatility, and that will remain the case for Week 18 against the Bengals.

Freiermuth was the leader in targets, receptions and receiving yards for the Steelers. Unfortunately, he lost a fumble that essentially put the game away with Pittsburgh trailing by two scores at the time. He was also the target of Russell Wilson’s interception in the end zone. Freiermuth is a “high-end” TE2 for Week 18 against the Bengals.

Warren had a rushing touchdown wiped away by an unnecessary hold by Darnell Washington. Still, it was a solid game for the 26-year-old, and he looked much more effective than Najee Harris’ who’s 74 yards are boosted by garbage time runs in a three-score game. Warren should again be involved in a substantial Week 18 contest against the Bengals.

This statline doesn’t look bad — on the contrary, really — but don’t let it fool you: for the overwhelming majority of this game, Harris was wholly ineffective. A couple of good runs at the very end of a three-score game boost this statline. Fantasy managers shouldn’t care if they had Harris in their lineup, but Jaylen Warren (11-for-74, five catches for 41 yards) was the far more effective tailback. Harris and Steelers finish the regular season against the Bengals in Week 18.

Even on a day where Patrick Mahomes was able to throw for 320 yards and three scores, Hopkins was a non-factor in the Kansas City passing attack. It’s hard to watch for those who remember him being one of — if not the — best receivers in the world. He and the Chiefs have clinched homefield advantage, however, so it’s possible Hopkins will get a ring even while being the fifth option at best in this passing attack.

Brown has been back for two games since is shoulder injury, and he’s had eerily similar production in both with a 5-45-0 line against the Texans in the previous contest. The Chiefs want to keep getting the 27-year-old acclimated, so it’s possible he could see a similar amount of targets despite Week 18 against the Broncos having no meaning for Kansas City.

Watson was involved early but not often in this one. The 28-year-old beat the Steelers’ secondary deep for a 49-yard connection, and he hauled in an 11-yard touchdown from Patrick Mahomes not long after. That was it for Watson, but damage done for those who had him on their fantasy roster for some reason. He could be in for a decent amount of snaps in Week 18 against the Broncos.

Worthy leaked out of the backfield for the first touchdown of the game. The 21-year-old rookie wasn’t able to pick up many big plays with a long of just 21, but the quality and quantity can’t disappoint fantasy players too much. We’ll see if Worthy plays much in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Broncos.

The Chiefs rushed for just 69 yards in this contest with Isiah Pacheco also ineffective with just 18 yards on six carries before leaving with a ribs injury. Hunt was able to salvage the game with a short-yardage score. With the Chiefs clinching homefield advantage, there’s a good chance neither Hunt nor Pacheco get many carries in Week 18 against the Broncos.