Patriots HC Bill Belichick said Tuesday that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is "ready to go" for the start of training camp. JuJu missed most of spring practices dealing with the knee injury he suffered in last year's AFC Championship Game. We'll see if it becomes an issue again at any point ahead of Week 1. Smith-Schuster isn't an exciting fantasy pick but does project as the favorite to lead New England in targets this year.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff believes New England’s WRs corps “seems only marginally better than last year’s.” Graff calls DeVante Parker an “x-factor” but admits he’s “not sold yet” on Tyquan Thornton. He also questions the contract given to JuJu Smith-Schuster because of his injury history. Kendrick Bourne, meanwhile, isn’t considered a roster lock. (Yeah, it’s pretty clear why the Pats pursued DeAndre Hopkins.) We’ll monitor this unit come training camp. The chemistry between JuJu and Mac Jones is something to really focus on, as the 26-year-old missed most of the spring with a knee issue.
Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster missed all of spring practices because of the knee injury he suffered in last year's AFC Championship Game, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff. Smith-Schuster was able to play in the Super Bowl, so it's surprising that this is still an issue four months later. The missed reps aren't ideal as JuJu works to settle into a new offense. We'll see if he's ready to go for the start of training camp next month.
Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots are being "cautious" with WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Reiss signaled that the move stems from JuJu's knee injury in the AFC Championship game. New England is also looking to get 2nd-year WR Tyquan Thornton back to 100% following a "soft-tissue-related injury." We'll keep an eye on both players as training camp nears. Thornton, given his elite speed profile, remains worthy of a late best ball pick. Just note: DeAndre Hopkins is set to visit the Patriots this week.
The Patriots have agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million with WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. The former Chief and Steeler is set to earn $22.5 million in guaranteed money over the first two years of the contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Smith-Schuster immediately steps into the mix with an offense that lost WR Jakobi Meyers (a recent signee with the Raiders) and has a lot of work cut out for them. It's tough to say how much fantasy value Smith-Schuster, or any pass-catcher in the Patriots' offense, will have under new OC Bill O'Brien as of now. Even so, there's only room for QB Mac Jones and company to move upward and improve upon their 23rd-ranked aerial attack in Football Outsiders' passing offense DVOA last season. Smith-Schuster logged an impressive 78 receptions and 933 receiving yards as a member of the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs in 2022. The Patriots have a long way to go in righting the ship, but this is a solid step in the right direction.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs are “bracing to lose” WR Mecole Hardman in free agency. Hardman, who underwent groin surgery in February, appeared in only 8 games this past season. 30% of his fantasy production came in one game (Week 7, at San Francisco). According to Fowler, the Chiefs will “attempt” to re-sign WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Even if the 26-year-old returns, we expect Kansas City to add WR talent this offseason.
Chiefs WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) are not listed on the final injury report for the Super Bowl. Smith-Schuster was a full participant in practice all week. Toney was a full-go on Thursday and Friday after being limited on Wednesday. It doesn't look like either guy will be limited vs. the Eagles. With WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis) out, Smith-Schuster and Toney will join Marquez Valdes-Scantling as Kansas City's top 3 WRs in that one.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He injured that knee in practice leading up to the AFC Championship and played just 45% of the offensive snaps in that game. But it looks like he'll be ready for his usual role in Sunday's Super Bowl vs. the Eagles.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid expressed optimism on Thursday that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) will be able to practice next week and play in the Super Bowl. "He’s in a good place," Reid said. "The main thing is that we let that [injury] calm down. I’m very optimistic right now… We’ll just see where it goes.” Check back next week for updates on Smith-Schuster's progress.
Chiefs WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman were all knocked out of Sunday's AFC Championship game vs. the Bengals. It was a knee for Smith-Schuster, which HC Andy Reid called a "re-aggravation" of an issue he dealt with in practice leading up to this game. (Smith-Schuster was added to the injury report with a knee on Friday.). Toney hurt his ankle in the 1st quarter and didn't return. Hardman seemingly tweaked the pelvis injury that had him sidelined since Week 9. The Chiefs get a much-needed week off before squaring off with the Eagles in the Super Bowl. We'll keep a close eye on these WRs when Kansas City officially gets back to work next week.
Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen) will not practice on Tuesday, HC Andy Reid said. “It’s not responding the way he wants it to,” Reid said of Hardman's injury. It doesn't sound like he's a good bet to be ready for Saturday's Divisional Round game vs. the Jaguars. That'd again leave Kansas City with a WR corps of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Justin Watson and potentially Skyy Moore, who missed Week 18 with a hand injury.
The NFL announced that a neutral-site Bills vs. Chiefs AFC Championship game would be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Yes ... that'd be Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes in a dome to go to the Super Bowl. Bills-Chiefs produced 62 points in the playoffs 2 years ago and 78 points last year -- with both games coming outside at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce caught 6 of 8 targets for 113 yards in Saturday's win over the Seahawks, leading the team in all 3 categories on a limited passing day. Kelce accounted for 50.4% of Kansas City's total passing yards. QB Patrick Mahomes' 2 TD throws went to RB Jerick McKinnon and WR Kadarius Toney.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster each drew 10 targets and caught every one in Sunday's win over the Texans. Kelce went for 105 yards, while Smith-Schuster compiled 88 yards. Neither reached the end zone, as QB Patrick Mahomes' 2 TD throws went to WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling and RB Jerick McKinnon. Kansas City gets home dates with the Seahawks and Broncos the next 2 weeks.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster drew a team-high 11 targets in Sunday's win over the Broncos, catching 9 of them for 74 yards and a TD. Those were his 2nd-largest totals of the year in both targets and receptions. Smith-Schuster carried this upside into the week after reclaiming the route lead among K.C. receivers last week. TE Travis Kelce tied for 2nd on the team with 9 targets, catching 4 for 71 yards.
The Score's Jordan Schultz reports that Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) won't play vs. the Broncos on Sunday. "I’m told Toney has made good progress and the Chiefs are hopeful he’ll be good to go next week," Schultz adds. Kansas City will roll with WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and Skyy Moore against Denver tomorrow.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes didn't have his sharpest outing in Sunday's win over the Rams. He did throw for 320 yards, hitting 10 different teammates with no Chief collecting more than 57 receiving yards. TE Travis Kelce led in yards and targets (8), claiming the TD among his 4 catches. Rookie WR Skyy Moore led the team with 5 catches (for just 36 yards) among 6 targets. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the only other Chief to catch more than 3 balls or crack 40 yards.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report. WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) did not practice all week and is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams. That leaves WRs Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson behind Smith-Schuster.
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