Smith-Schuster joined the Patriots in the offseason, his third team in as many seasons. While it is quite the downgrade to move from Patrick Mahomes to Mac Jones, Smith-Schuster does have a chance to replace Jakobi Meyers in a role that has averaged about seven targets per game over the past two years. Smith-Schuster has not produced a 1,000-yard season since 2018, but he was WR24 last year before he was sidelined by a concussion. He earned eight-plus targets in six of his first seven games with the Chiefs. Draft him as a low-end No. 3 WR in Round 8 or 9. For as long as he stays healthy he's likely to slightly outperform that cost.
Smith-Schuster, who logged 44 of a possible 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants, caught two of his four targets in the contest for 10 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
With DeVante Parker back after a two-game absence, Smith-Schuster maintained a key role in the Patriots' Week 12 wide receiver corps, but that didn't result in much production in an offense that continues to struggle. Regardless of whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe starts at QB this weekend against the Chargers, Smith-Schuster profiles as low-percentage fantasy option.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: One catch Sunday
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Smith-Schuster logged a season-high 68 out of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Colts, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Despite the 99 percent snap share Sunday, Smith-Schuster was only targeted once in the contest, which resulted in a nine-yard catch. The Patriots are on bye Week 11, and once the team returns to action Sunday, Nov. 26 against the Giants, Smith-Schuster will profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option while working in an inconsistent offense with QB issues.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Catches six passes Sunday
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Smith-Schuster was on the field for 23 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Commanders en route to catching six of his seven targets in the contest for 51 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
With Kendrick Bourne (knee) on IR and DeVante Parker out with a concussion Sunday, Smith-Schuster recorded season highs in catches and receiving yards, though his day ended with a with a pass bouncing off his hands and into the arms of Washington cornerback Jartavius Martin on the Patriots' final play on offense. Looking ahead, Smith-Schuster should have an opportunity to remain a key target for QB Mac Jones in Week 10 against the Colts, but with a combined receiving line of 21-140-1 on 33 targets through seven games, the veteran wide receiver is only an option in deeper fantasy formats.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Could see added opportunities
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Smith-Schuster could have an opportunity to reestablish his role in the Patriots receiving corps with Kendrick Bourne reportedly having sustained a torn ACL on Sunday at Miami, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Additionally, DeVante Parker is in the NFL's concussion protocol, so the team's Week 9 WR depth could be further taxed. In any case, rookie Demario Douglas figures to maintain a key role in the weeks ahead, while Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor are also candidates to factor in. Through six games to date, Smith-Schuster has caught 15 of his 26 targets for 89 yards and a TD, but the Patriots' current injury situation could lead to the veteran wideout seeing an opportunity to become more involved in the offense as soon as Sunday's game against the Commanders.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Records TD in return
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Smith-Schuster brought in his only target for a three-yard touchdown in the Patriots' 31-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
The veteran pass catcher returned from a two-game absence due to a concussion, but he was invisible except for his fourth-quarter scoring grab. Smith-Schuster could enjoy a larger role in a favorable Week 9 home matchup against the Commanders if DeVante Parker (head) and Kendrick Bourne (knee) are sidelined.
Smith-Schuster (concussion) was not listed Wednesday on the Patriots' initial Week 8 injury report.
Smith-Schuster has missed the Patriots' last two games, but the wideout's removal from the injury report indicates he's cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, setting the stage for him to rejoin the lineup Sunday against the Dolphins. In his looming return to action, Smith-Schuster's path to steady volume in the passing game could be muddled, with rookie Demario Douglas making a case to maintain a key role in the offense alongside fellow wideouts Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker. In five games to date, Smith-Schuster has logged 14 catches for 86 yards on 25 targets, production that has limited his fantasy utility to deeper formats.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Not expected to face Bills
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) isn't expected to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Smith-Schuster, who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to miss his second straight game despite turning in a trio of limited practices Week 7. Meanwhile, tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) and rookie wideout Demario Douglas (concussion) are both listed as questionable but are expected to take the field, which provides a boost for New England's passing attack. Official confirmation on Smith-Schuster's status will arrive when the Patriots release their inactive list 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Questionable for Week 7
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The same goes for fellow WR Demario Douglas (concussion), with the Patriots having listed 16 players as questionable for the contest. Assuming Smith-Schuster clears the NFL's concussion protocol, he figures to be available this weekend, though his Week 7 status may not be officially confirmed until the team's inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. In the event that Smith-Schuster does return from his one-game absence, he'd profile as a speculative fantasy option in PPR formats. Through five outings to date, Smith-Schuster has recorded 14 catches for 86 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.
Demario Douglas (concussion) joined Smith-Schuster as a limited participant after both receivers missed the Patriots' Week 6 loss to the Raiders. After opening Week 7 prep as a limited participant, Smith-Schuster is trending in the right direction for Sunday's game against the Bills, though he still has some work to do to clear the five-step concussion protocol. In five appearances this season, Smith-Schuster has made a modest impact in PPR formats with 14 catches for 86 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Back at practice
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) was present for practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Smith-Schuster sat out Sunday's loss to the Raiders after not practicing in any fashion, but his return to the field Wednesday bodes well for his chances of playing this weekend against the Bills. The extent of his participation in Wednesday's practice will be clarified once the Patriots' first Week 7 injury report is released, but at a minimum, his presence on the field suggests that he's advancing through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Won't play Sunday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Demario Douglas (concussion) is also sidelined for the Week 6, leaving DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery as the team's available options at receiver currently on the 53-man roster. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) is a candidate to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game, while Malik Cunningham and/or Jalen Reagor are potential practice-squad elevations. Smith-Schuster will now target a potential return to action Oct. 22 against the Bills.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Still not practicing
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) wasn't seen on the practice field Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The same goes for Demario Douglas, and if neither player can go Sunday against the Raiders, the Patriots' top available wideouts would be DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, with Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery also in the mix. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) could be activated from IR ahead of Week 6 action.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Not practicing Thursday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Nor was Demario Douglas, with Zack Cox of NESN.com relaying that both WRs are still in the NFL's concussion protocol. Smith-Schuster now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, but he'll need to practice fully Friday (and gain full medical clearance) in order to head into the weekend minus a Week 6 injury designation.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster didn't practice Wednesday due to a concussion.
Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas exited this past Sunday's blowout loss to the Saints with what the team termed as head injuries, but both wide receivers have been confirmed to have entered the NFL's concussion protocol, per Zack Cox of NESN.com. For now, the Patriots' top healthy wideouts are DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, with Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery also on hand. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) is a candidate to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game at Las Vegas.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Exits with head injury
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Smith-Schuster has been ruled out for a return to Sunday's game against the Saints due to a head injury. He recorded three catches for six yards on four targets prior to exiting the contest.
Smith-Schuster is the second Patriots receiver to be ruled out for the day due to a head injury, as the team announced coming out of halftime that rookie Demario Douglas wouldn't be able to return to the contest. In the case of Smith-Schuster, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays that the 26-year-old was quickly ruled out after he was examined in the blue medical tent on the Patriots' sideline. With Smith-Schuster and Douglas both sidelined for the rest of the afternoon, the Patriots are left with DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne at the position, though running back Ty Montgomery, tight end Mike Gesicki and special teamer Matthew Slater can probably fill in in a pinch, if needed.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: One catch versus Cowboys
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Smith-Schuster was on the field for 26 of a possible 55 snaps on offense in Sunday's 38-3 loss to the Cowboys, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Smith-Schuster's five targets Sunday actually tied TE Hunter Henry for the team lead, but the wideout only caught one of them for 14 yards. Four games into the 2023 season, Smith-Schuster has recorded 11 catches (on 21 targets) for 80 yards, a rate of production that limits his fantasy value to deeper formats until he picks up the pace.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Held to one catch Sunday
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Smith-Schuster was on the field for 53 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Though Smith-Schuster started and was second to DeVante Parker (55 snaps) among the Patriots' WR in terms of playing time, he was limited to one catch (on three targets) for five yards. Three games into his first season with New England, Smith-Schuster has combined for 10 catches (on 16 targets) for 66 yards, numbers that have limited his fantasy utility thus far. With that in mind, Smith-Schuster profiles as a speculative lineup option this coming Sunday against the Cowboys.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Catches five passes Sunday
Rotowire
Smith-Schuster logged 44 of a possible 74 snaps on offense in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Dolphins while catching five of his six targets in the contest for 28 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
In his season debut after missing Week 1 action, DeVante Parkerled the Patriots' WRs with 74 snaps en route to recording eight targets. He was followed by Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne (38 snaps, nine targets). Two weeks into the 2023 season, Smith-Schuster has combined for nine catches (on 13 targets) for 61 yards, numbers that have given him modest fantasy value in PPR formats thus far.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Believes knee is 100 percent
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Smith-Schuster said Friday that he thinks his surgically-repaired knee is 100 percent healthy, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
Though Smith-Schuster isn't included on the Patriots' Week 2 injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Callahan previously suggested that the wideout's knee could still be an issue. In his Patriots debut in last week's loss to the Eagles, Smith-Schuster recorded four catches for 33 yards on seven targets, but he played only 41 snaps while position mates Kendrick Bourne (73 snaps) and Kayshon Boutte (55 snaps) ranked ahead of him in playing time. Looking ahead to Week 2, Smith-Schuster's playing time and target share is worth tracking, especially with DeVante Parker (knee) potentially returning to New England's lineup and promising rookie Demario Douglas (33 snaps and seven targets against Philadelphia) also in the team's receiver mix. The Patriots inked Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25.5 million deal in March, essentially as a replacement for Jakobi Meyers, who signed with the Raiders in free agency.
Smith-Schuster recorded four catches on seven targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Eagles.
Smith-Schuster's seven targets appear to be a solid mark. However, Mac Jones took to the air 54 times and DeVante Parker (knee) was also sidelined. Aside from volume, Smith-Schuster's performance was uninspiring, as only one of his four catches went for more than 10 yards. Assuming New England isn't playing from behind on a weekly basis, he'll have a harder time carving out a significant workload, especially considering the emergence of Demario Douglas.
