Fantasy Football News

Patriots WRs Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) are out for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets. That strips the offense of two of its top three WRs in targets. And Demario Douglas, who’s fourth among New England WRs in targets, is questionable with a hamstring injury. That leaves Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams as the top two healthy WRs. Diggs is much more likely to get a full helping of routes in this one, making him a safer fantasy bet. We’d try not to use Williams in season-long leagues, but he’s an intriguing flier in daily contests. TE Hunter Henry could also see more volume this weekend.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (concussion) is not listed on the final Week 15 injury report. He’ll be back for Sunday’s game vs. the Chiefs. Douglas has averaged 7.6 targets and 5.2 catches over his last five games – although very little of that came with QB Bailey Zappe. WRs DeVante Parker (knee), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), and Tyquan Thornton (hamstring) are all listed as questionable. Those guys shouldn’t be in your Week 15 fantasy plans.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Giants with a head injury. He took a shot to the head on a punt return in the fourth quarter and will likely land in the concussion protocol. We'll track the rookie's progress through the protocol this week, but consider him unlikely to play vs. the Chargers next Sunday.

Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) has been placed on IR. He'll miss at least the first four weeks of the season. The second-year receiver was sidelined during the spring with a soft-tissue injury and then hurt his shoulder in mid-August. He's not worth rostering in redraft. JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Demario Douglas figure to open the season as New England's top four WRs.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald says Patriots rookie WR Kayshon Boutte is making a "late surge for a roster spot." That's a good way to encapsulate his current fantasy standing. We've seen other positive recent reports on Boutte's performance, including from Kyed. And the sixth-round pick started his college career with intriguing upside before being derailed by injury. That upside makes him worth a stash in dynasty leagues. But that he's fighting for a roster spot on a time with a questionable-to-weak WR corps should temper any excitement.

Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton missed Saturday night's preseason game with what's believed to be a shoulder injury. "He's doing fine. It's a week-to-week situation," a source told The Boston Globe's Christopher Price. Thornton can't afford the missed reps. He was sidelined for part of the spring with a soft-tissue injury and has been out-played by rookie WR Demario Douglas in camp. At this point, Thornton is well off the redraft fantasy radar. We'll let you know when he returns from this latest injury.