Fantasy News

Curtis Samuel catches seven passes in Week 16.

Samuel gained 41 yards on his seven receptions, working as a primary underneath target for Taylor Heinicke. The second-year receiver was targeted 13 times in the game (tying Christian McCaffrey for the team lead), but he didn’t have a reception over nine yards. Samuel finishes the regular season next weekend against the Buccaneers, and he isn’t a highly-recommended fantasy option in standard-sized leagues.

12/24/18 - 07:50 AM ET

Ian Thomas scores first NFL touchdown against the Falcons.

Thomas caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ Week 16 loss. The rookie tight end scored at the goal line on a nice catch he went up to get in the red zone, and it was the first of both his career and quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s career. Congrats to Thomas on his first NFL touchdown, and hopefully it’s the first of many for him.

12/24/18 - 07:47 AM ET

Jarius Wright catches seven passes in Week 16.

Wright gained 69 yards on his seven receptions versus the Falcons. He also lost a fumble which set the Falcons up in the red zone. The veteran receiver isn’t a highly-recommended fantasy option in Week 17 against the Bucs.

12/24/18 - 07:45 AM ET

Cameron Artis-Payne gets two touches in Week 16.

Artis-Payne carried one time for seven yards and caught one pass for 13 yards against the Falcons. Artis-Payne is not a fantasy option to conclude the regulars season unless the Panthers sit Christian McCaffrey.

12/24/18 - 07:43 AM ET

Christian McCaffrey gets 33 touches against the Falcons.

McCaffrey carried 21 times for 101 yards and caught 12 passes for 77 yards, leading the Panthers in all categories in their Week 16 loss. The second-year running back crossed 1,000 rushing yards in the game and became just the third player in NFL history with over 100 receptions and 1,000 rushing yards in a season, and he also passed Matt Forte’s mark for most receptions by a running back in a season (now with 106). McCaffrey is 155 receiving yards away from 1,000 for the season, and don’t be surprised if he pushes for that mark next week against the Buccaneers. The Panthers don’t seem worried about giving the former Stanford star a bunch of touches.

12/24/18 - 07:42 AM ET

Kyle Allen plays well in brief Week 16 stint.

Taylor Heinicke left against the Falcons briefly with a left elbow injury, and the undrafted rookie stepped into the game and went 4/4 for 38 yards. The former No. 1 overall high school recruit flashed some of the ability that makes him a very intriguing player, and the Panthers have to like what they saw from him during his brief time in the game. There’s a chance he gets more time in Week 17 with the Panthers not in playoff contention.

12/24/18 - 07:39 AM ET

Taylor Heinicke throws three interceptions in first career NFL start.

Heinicke was 33/53 for 274 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions along with three carries for 33 yards in the Panthers’ Week 16 loss. The touchdown was a first-quarter throw to rookie tight end Ian Thomas, and Heinicke showed nice accuracy on the run. Throwing the ball 53 times in his first NFL start wasn’t ideal, but it was good experience for Heinicke as he looks to stay in Carolina as the long-term backup quarterback. And congrats to him on his first NFL touchdown. He’ll probably start against in Week 17 but is not a recommended fantasy option against New Orleans.

12/24/18 - 07:38 AM ET