Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Kameron Johnson

Thursday, August 21, 3:51 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) will miss the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury that needs surgery, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz on Thursday. Polk visited with multiple specialists before opting for season-ending surgery, but going under the knife was determined to be the best course of action. The former second-round pick last year will be hoping to be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season. Polk disappointed in his first year in New England last year, catching just 12 of his 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts), but to be fair, he didn't have much of a chance in the Patriots' low-scoring offense. He will now miss his entire sophomore season, which gives rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III greater chances of making the 53-man roster as depth behind Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas.

Saturday, September 21, 9:54 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 3 home matchup against the Denver Broncos. Johnson started the week with a limited practice on Wednesday before downgrading to a DNP on Thursday and Friday. In anticipation of his absence, Tampa Bay has elevated wide receiver Sterling Shepherd off its practice squad for depth at the position. The 22-year-old rookie has been a distant option for the Bucs so far in 2024, recording the fewest snaps of all wideouts (11) and failing to earn a single target in the passing game. His lone touch on the year was a carry he advanced for no gain. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans will remain the de facto top two targets for Baker Mayfield, with Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer picking up the scraps in a smash spot for the team this weekend.