JuJu

Smith-Schuster

According to Smith-Schuster, he felt about “60 percent” healthy during this time last season. The veteran receiver was dealing with a knee injury that carried over from his 2022 season with the Chiefs and said he never reached a point of feeling 100 percent healthy. Now, that’s all changed. Speaking Monday at OTAs, Smith-Schuster said he feels like he is in full health, which is good news for the Patriots, who signed him to a three-year, $25 million contract last offseason. Smith-Schuster caught 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games for the Patriots last season, looking like a fraction of the player he was in 2022 when he went for 78-933-3 with the Chiefs. If healthy, he should be the best receiver in New England’s underwhelming wide receiver room. With that said, it’s hard to imagine him having anything more than WR4 fantasy upside until we get a chance to see him on the field.

The move ends the veteran’s season with just 260 yards and one touchdown on 29 receptions. Smith-Schuster was signed to a contract similar to the one the departing Jakobi Meyers signed with the Raiders this offseason and fell well short of preseason expectations in his first year with New England.

JuJu last played in Week 14. He has rarely been meaningfully involved in the New England offense and that has typically been the result of injuries to other Pats receivers. His absence means Pop Douglas will work as a full-time slot receiver for Week 17.

Smith-Schuster missed each of the previous two games and appears headed for a third absence after the missed practice Thursday. His likely absence means Jalen Reagor should be on the field alongside Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker.

JuJu missed Week 15 with the ankle issue as well. His absence clears the path for Demario Douglas to man the slot full-time versus Denver. Douglas will rank as a WR4/5 for Weke 16.

Smith-Schuster was limited in practice throughout last week before being listed as questionable. He was ultimately ruled out before kickoff. Even if he is active this week, the veteran receiver is not on the fantasy radar as the Patriots close out a failed season.

Smith-Schuster entered the weekend with a questionable tag but was reported as being unlikely to play. In addition to Smith-Schuster, the Patriots also ruled out CB Shaun Wade, OT Trent Brown, WR Kayshon Boutte, and DE Sam Roberts. DeVante Parker, who also entered the weekend as questionable, is active but isn’t worth a start in fantasy leagues this week. Rookie Demario Douglas could have some WR3 upside in PPR leagues where available.

Per Rapoport, Parker is expected to play through his questionable tag. It’s safe to assume Smith-Schuster will be out this week. That clears the path for Demario Douglas to play a full-time role in the slot. He should see plenty of targets while the Pats play catch-up against Kansas City. Douglas ranks as a WR4 for Week 15.

With Demario Douglas cleared to return from his concussion, JuJu will move back into a part-time role if active. He is not on the fantasy radar for Week 15. His absence would boost Douglas’s FLEX outlook slightly. Tyquan Thornton is also questionable for Week 15.

The limited session is likely maintenance as JuJu attempts to play through the ankle issue again this week. He entered Week 14 listed as questionable because of the injury. He ultimately suited up and posted 90 yards on four catches. Despite the solid showing, he will return to the ranks of fantasy obscurity if Demario Douglas is back this week. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for FLEX options.