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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The veteran wideout missed last week's game as well due to the same ankle issue. Smith-Schuster is putting together a disappointing campaign, so his absence isn't going to mean too much. Demario Douglas should be the full-time slot receiver and be a possible WR4 in fantasy formats for this upcoming matchup. Smith-Schuster isn't worth rostering in most formats right now.
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. The veteran wideout was questionable due to the same ankle issue last week and ultimately ended up sitting out of the game. The Pats have nothing to play for at this point, so it's unlikely that Smith-Schuster gets cleared to play. If active, Smith-Schuster is barely a fantasy option anyway with the way he has been playing this season. Demario Douglas is basically the only receiver in New England with fantasy value right now. He's a possible WR3 in PPR formats for the upcoming Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Matthew Slater Limited Wednesday
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 27-year-old missed last Sunday's game but exploded one week earlier in Week 14 with four catches for 90 yards. It appears that he has a respectable rapport with current starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, though it's tough to trust him with Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, and Hunter Henry all healthy. Special teamer Matthew Slater (hamstring) was also limited, putting his Week 16 status up in the air.
