Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't play in Week 8 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, although Reid didn't expand on the exact nature of Smith-Schuster's injury. In addition to Smith-Schuster, receiver Justin Watson (ankle) suffered a serious injury in the Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers and could be dealing with a fractured ankle. Smith-Schuster played only seven offensive snaps and wasn't targeted at all before leaving on Sunday. If KC doesn't trade for a receiver, they'll be down to rookie Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore against the Raiders with Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) already done for the year. Hardman had only three touches on Sunday but did score his first TD of the year. He's worth a look on the waiver wire if you're hurting at receiver.
Oct 21, 2024 1:30 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's game against the 49ers. The wideout entered this contest carrying an injury designation, so it appears he wasn't ready to get on the field after coming off a huge seven-catch, 130-yard outing in Week 5 against the Saints. It's unknown if he'll be ready to go for the Week 8 matchup versus the Raiders. However, if Smith-Schuster doesn't suit up, it will likely result in more targets for Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce, and Noah Gray.
Oct 20, 2024 6:50 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) exited during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers and is officially questionable to return. He had not been targeted prior to his departure. Smith-Schuster entered Week 7 with a hamstring injury, so while the Chiefs initially cleared him to play, it appears he re-aggravated the issue early during Sunday's contest. As the game continues, the Chiefs' passing attack will funnel through a combination of Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and Mecole Hardman, among others.
Oct 20, 2024 4:54 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. The veteran receiver is coming off an impressive seven-catch, 130-yard performance prior to the Chiefs' Week 6 bye. So far, he has shown that he's capable of handling increased opportunities with Rashee Rice (knee) sidelined. Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce, and Xavier Worthy figure to lead the Chiefs' pass-catching attack on Sunday afternoon. Smith-Schuster is a viable WR3 in fantasy football.
Oct 20, 2024 3:15 PM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is anticipated to play in Sunday's game versus the 49ers. Head coach Andy Reid implied the wideout was on the right track toward suiting up in Week 7, so his expected availability isn't surprising. He is coming off a monster performance, amassing seven catches (eight targets) for 130 yards in the Monday night victory over the Saints. While that type of showing makes Smith-Schuster at least a Flex option, he's still hard to trust, considering he had only two receptions entering Week 5.
Oct 20, 2024 12:26 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was held out of Thursday's practice session, but returned to practice on Friday. Head coach Andy Reid said Smith-Schuster will play during the Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. It sounds like the team is leaving him as questionable on the injury report just in case he suffers a setback. Smith-Schuster hauled in seven of his eight targets for 130 yards in Week 5. The Chiefs are limited in terms of viable passing options, so Smith-Schuster should continue being the primary slot receiver. The 27-year-old has some flex appeal heading into a tough matchup against the 49ers.
Oct 18, 2024 3:02 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was added to the Week 7 injury report after putting in a limited practice on Thursday. Smith-Schuster's status for the Super Bowl rematch against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday is now firmly up in the air. It's bad news for a Chiefs offense that has already lost receivers Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the entire season. Running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) is also on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old Smith-Schuster was a hot waiver-wire pickup after the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints in which he caught seven of eight targets for 130 yards. Depending on what he's able to do in practice on Friday, Smith-Schuster could be in danger of sitting out this weekend. KC would be forced to turn to Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore behind rookie Xavier Worthy if Smith-Schuster is unavailable.
Oct 17, 2024 7:54 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 130 yards in the 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. Smith-Schuster led all Chiefs pass catchers in receiving yardage in the victory. The Chiefs wide receiver was behind only Travis Kelce in targets and receptions, demonstrating Mahomes' trust in him. The Chiefs are undefeated heading into their Week 6 bye week. Despite not having a game this week, Smith-Schuster is worth a speculative add, given his substantial utilization in this week's win. Although Smith-Schuster performed well, it is not a given that he will keep this level of opportunity moving forward. Reports have stated that Kansas City is entertaining the possibility of trading for a wide receiver ahead of the deadline. It is also possible that Mahomes spreads the ball more evenly as Mecole Hardman returns from injury and Xavier Worthy establishes himself as an NFL receiver. That said, Smith-Schuster is the most experienced receiver playing with Mahomes, so he could remain a preferred target.
Oct 8, 2024 4:34 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown in the 22-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons. Smith-Schuster was not on the field for much of the game on Sunday night, but he made the most of his opportunities. Patrick Mahomes found Smith-Schuster on a crossing route toward the end of the third quarter to extend Kansas City's lead in the game. Smith-Schuster will look to be more involved against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. The Chargers have allowed the 13th-fewest passing yards this season, but the Chiefs offense should still be able to move the ball through the air. Smith-Schuster was not involved enough in this contest to feel confident starting him moving forward. This Chiefs wide receiver is best left on the waiver wire.
Sep 23, 2024 8:10 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could play in the team's Week 1 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Andy Reid said. Smith-Schuster was signed out of free agency earlier this week, leaving him with around two weeks to get acclimated in the offense before the season kicks off. That's not a lot of time, but nevertheless, Reid is leaving the door open for Smith-Schuster to play. It likely helps that Smith-Schuster played with the Chiefs in 2022, so at least he has some familiarity with the offense.
Aug 31, 2024 9:07 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Samaje Perine will both be available in the season opener on Thursday evening against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Pete Sweeney of the Arrowhead Pride. Head coach Andy Reid noted that the team would be cautious about overloading Perine during the opener. Both Smith-Schuster and Perine signed with Kansas City earlier this week after hitting free agency. Smith-Schuster played in Kansas City in 2022 and totaled 933 yards on 78 catches that season but struggled in New England last fall. Perine posted a career-high 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards last season in Denver. Perine should be expected to serve as the third-down back throughout the season, while Smith-Schuster will serve as a depth option in the wide receiver room.
Aug 30, 2024 2:40 PM EST
Free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is heading back to Kansas City for a reunion with Andy Reid and company. According to Jordan Schultz, the reigning Super Bowl champs are adding the seven-year veteran to their receiver corps. Smith-Schuster last played for the Chiefs in 2022 when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl for the first half of their back-to-back wins. Last year, the 27-year-old experienced the worst season of his career with the New England Patriots when he caught just 29 of 47 targets for 260 yards and one touchdown across 11 appearances. Then, he was cut by the Patriots this offseason which led to him being available for the Chiefs to scoop up. It's unclear how many opportunities he'll see, but the chemistry with Patrick Mahomes is already there. He'll still have to compete with Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and eventually Marquise Brown (shoulder) for targets.
Aug 26, 2024 9:07 AM EST
The New England Patriots are releasing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Friday, according to a source. The writing was on the wall all offseason after the Patriots snagged rookie wideouts Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in April's NFL draft. Smith-Schuster was a non-factor for the Patriots last year, even after Kendrick Bourne (knee) tore his ACL, finishing with just 29 catches on 47 targets for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games (seven starts). The 27-year-old wasn't targeted at all in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions while playing 11 offensive snaps. He'll look to latch on with another organization before the start of the 2024 regular season, but even if he does, he'll likely be off the fantasy radar. The release of Smith-Schuster is good news for Jalen Reagor and KJ Osborn as they look for roles in New England's receiving corps.
Aug 9, 2024 1:51 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) said his injured knee is much healthier than last year, but to the untrained eye, The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that it didn't appear as if Smith-Schuster had the same explosiveness that he did in 2021 or 2022. If he's going to make the 53-man roster out of training camp and the preseason this year, he's going to need to outplay both Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton this summer while hoping that Jalen Reagor loses the competition for the top kick-returner job. Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker appear to be roster locks at the position. The 27-year-old Smith-Schuster had just 260 receiving yards in 11 games in 2023 for New England and is well off the fantasy radar entering the 2024 campaign, even if he does somehow make the final roster.
Jun 23, 2024 1:30 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle, knee) said he was around 60 percent healthy this time last year from his knee injury and was never fully healthy in 2023. However, he said he's at 100 percent now after resting this offseason. It's nice to hear that the 27-year-old is feeling better this offseason, but his role is a bit up in the air in 2024 after the Patriots added Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round and Javon Baker in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft. New England also signed K.J. Osborn in free agency, giving Smith-Schuster much more competition in the first year without Bill Belichick in Boston. Smith-Schuster had only 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games in his first year with the team in 2023. With Kendrick Bourne (knee) coming back from a torn ACL this year, Smith-Schuster's role is in question.
May 20, 2024 2:57 PM EST
Starting next month, the New England Patriots could cut wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at a cost of $9.6 million in dead money and no salary cap relief, per Over the Cap, while releasing him before then would incur $2.6 million more in dead money and take a small chunk out of their league-leading $54 million cap room. If the Pats traded Smith-Schuster after June 1, they'd save almost $7 million in cap space and clear room for their young receivers to see more playing time. New England could prioritize playing time for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, plus 2023 sixth-rounder Demario Douglas. It all means that Smith-Schuster may no longer be the team's No. 2 receiver, especially with Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn also on the roster.
May 2, 2024 2:33 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) has been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. This move will end the veteran's disappointing 2023 campaign. It was an awful year for Smith-Schuster who finished with 260 yards and one touchdown this season. His absence isn't going to mean too much for the Patriots offense over the next two games. Demario Douglas is basically the only viable streaming on at wide receiver on this Pats offense heading into Week 17.
Dec 30, 2023 6:58 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 17 versus the Buffalo Bills. He'll miss fourth game of the season, including his second in a row. The 27-year-old was the Patriots' prized offseason signing at the wide receiver position but has been a massive disappointment, catching just 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown. Look for Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker to continue operating as the Patriots' top receivers this Sunday. Both pass-catchers are fine FLEX options in deeper formats.
Dec 29, 2023 4:15 PM EST
After putting in a limited practice on Wednesday, New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice session. Smith-Schuster has been inactive for each of the team's last two games and is now in jeopardy of missing his third straight game this weekend against the Buffalo Bills after this midweek downgrade. He put up his best performance of the year with four catches on six targets for 90 yards in the Week 1 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he followed that with two straight missed games. Even if Smith-Schuster returns to play in Week 17, fantasy managers should steer clear of him now that rookie Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker look like quarterback Bailey Zappe's favorite two targets in the passing game. The27-year-old Smith-Schuster has only 29 receptions on 47 targets for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games.
Dec 28, 2023 5:21 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) got in a limited practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Smith-Schuster missed his team's Week 16 game against the Denver Broncos but his ability to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday is a positive sign for the veteran receiver. Stay tuned to practice reports on Thursday and Friday. If Smith-Schuster misses another game, look for Demario Douglas to lead the Patriots receiving corps again.
Dec 27, 2023 9:09 PM EST