Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Signs on with New England
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The Patriots and Smith-Schuster agreed to terms Wendnesday on a three-year, $33 million contract, Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network reports.
Smith-Schuster took a one-year prove-it deal with Kansas City last offseason with the hope of kickstarting his career, but he turned in a somewhat underwhelming campaign despite having Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback. Despite being the Chiefs' de facto No. 1 wideout, Smith-Schuster finished 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns over 16 regular-season outings, and he largely disappeared over the final month of the season and into the playoffs. He'll now head to Foxboro to replace slot man Jakobi Meyers as Mac Jones' current top wideout.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Seven catches in Super Bowl win
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Smith-Schuster recorded seven catches on nine targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 38-35 Super Bowl win over the Eagles.
Smith-Schuster entered the game with only three targets across the Chiefs' first two postseason games. After recording just five yards in the first half of the Super Bowl, Smith-Schuster played a significant role in Kansas City's comeback victory with several catches of 13 and 14 yards that kept drives alive. He'll hit free agency for the third consecutive offseason, so it's unclear whether Smith-Schuster will have the chance to remain with Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs' dynamic offense.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Full practice Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.
Smith-Schuster was held out of on-field work last week due to swelling in his left knee before he was listed as questionable for Super Bowl LVII. Now with an uninhibited session under his belt this week, he's on pace to be available to Kansas City's offense Sunday against the Eagles. Questions remain in the Chiefs' receiving corps, however, after Mecole Hardman (pelvis) was placed on injured reserve Monday and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) was a limited participant Wednesday. At the moment, Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and Skyy Moore are the healthy wideouts on the team's active roster.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Gets back on practice field
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Kansas City head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Smith-Schuster (knee) practiced Monday and will likely do so again Tuesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Kansas City is holding light practices for their two unofficial workouts to begin the week before moving on to a more intense session Wednesday, when the team will release its first official injury report for the second week of prep leading up to Super Bowl LVII. How Smith-Schuster is listed on Wednesday's report will be more telling with regard to where he stands in his recovery from a left knee injury, but he already appears to be in a better spot on the health front compared to where he was at last week. Smith-Schuster was listed as a non-participant on each of last week's three injury reports, and he's tentatively tagged as questionable for this Sunday's title game against the Eagles.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Status in question for Super Bowl
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Smith-Schuster (knee) is listed as questionable after the first week of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Smith-Schuster is dealing with some residual swelling in his left knee following this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, from which he was forced out early. Both Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) have questionable designations after this week, while Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is doubtful and already has been deemed unlikely to play in the Super Bowl by coach Andy Reid. If this latter point comes to pass, the statuses of Smith-Schuster and Toney become of greater import to see if one or both will be available to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle).
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Not seen practicing
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Smith-Schuster (knee) didn't appear to practice Friday, as he was playing catch with Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) while the Chiefs' healthy players were warming up, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Smith-Schuster and Toney at least appear in better shape than Mecole Hardman, who was completely absent from practice after reinjuring his pelvis in the AFC Championship Game. Smith-Schuster and Toney also were forced out early and failed to return, but coach Andy Reid suggested Thursday that both wideouts have a chance to be ready for the Super Bowl on Feb. 12. Hardman, on the other hand, has already been deemed unlikely to play by his head coach.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Remains sidelined at practice
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Coach Andy Reid said Smith-Schuster (knee) won't practice Thursday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.
Smith-Schuster was knocked out of this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals with a knee issue, holding him to one seven-yard catch on 31 of 69 offensive snaps. While Smith-Schuster hasn't taken part in drills in the meantime, Reid expressed optimism Thursday regarding the wide receiver being able to practice next week ahead of Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic. "He's in a good place," Reid added. "The main thing is letting this thing calm down. ... We'll just see where it goes." Position mates Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) also have been held out this week, so the situation will be one to watch to get a sense of who among the trio may be active Sunday, Feb. 12.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Listed as non-participant Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.
As the Chiefs gear up for Super Bowl LVII, Smith-Schuster joined Kadarius Toney (ankle/hamstring) and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) as listed non-participants after all three left this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals due to injury. Smith-Schuster logged 31 of 69 snaps on offense while hauling in his only target for seven yards before his departure. Kansas City has 11 days to get as to 100 percent as possible before facing the Eagles on Feb. 12, but the team currently has just three healthy wide receivers (Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and Skyy Moore) on the active roster.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Joins list of injured KC WRs
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Smith-Schuster (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals.
Smith-Schuster caught his only target for seven yards prior to the injury popping up in the second half. With Kadarius Toney (ankle) ruled out and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) also deemed questionable to return, Kansas City is dealing with a lack of wide receiver depth at a critical time.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Quiet again
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Smith-Schuster recorded two catches on two targets for 35 yards in Saturday's 31-13 win over the Raiders.
Smith-Schuster did the majority of his damage on a 28-yard catch late in the first quarter, his first reception of more than 20 yards since Week 14. However, his production largely ended there, and he closed the regular season having recorded three or fewer receptions in five of his last seven games. Smith-Schuster enjoyed a mostly healthy campaign and turned in a respectable 80 receptions and 933 yards with three touchdowns across 16 games during his first year in Kansas City.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Smith-Schuster's playing time dipped from the 80% range in Weeks 14 through 16 to 65% in Week 17. He's also started to see slot work on close to half of his snaps, including 56% of his snaps on third downs last week. And of his 24 receptions in his past four games, only three have gone for 14-plus yards -- and 12 have gone for 7 or fewer yards. Tack on the ultra-low target volume over his past two games and he's become extremely difficult to trust.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Limited to two catches in win
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Smith-Schuster secured two of three targets for 21 yards in the Chiefs' 27-24 win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Smith-Schuster was a minimal part of the air attack for the second straight week following a two-game stretch during which he'd produced a 19-162-1 line on 21 targets. The veteran wideout's downturn can easily turn around any given week considering Patrick Mahomes is his quarterback, so Smith-Schuster could play a significant role in a Week 18 road matchup against the Raiders in which KC will still be fighting for the top seed in the AFC.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Low volume in comfortable win
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Smith-Schuster had three receptions on four targets for 27 yards in Saturday's 24-10 win over Seattle.
The Chiefs went up two scores early and were never threatened by the Seahawks, resulting in low usage for every receiver not named Travis Kelce (6-113-0). Smith-Schuster actually led all Kansas City wideouts in targets, receptions and yardage despite the meager final line. The veteran wideout was coming off of consecutive games with double-digit targets, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned with this down performance. Smith-Schuster will attempt to bounce back against the Broncos next Sunday.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: WRs to Start
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Smith-Schuster has been back to himself the past two games, and he should be considered a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. In his past two outings against Denver and Houston, Smith-Schuster has combined for 21 targets, 19 catches, 162 yards and a touchdown, and he's scored at least 16 PPR points in each contest. He should stay hot at home against the Seahawks, who should struggle to slow down this passing attack.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Another hefty workload Sunday
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Smith-Schuster brought in all 10 targets for 88 yards and lost a fumble in the Chiefs' 30-24 overtime victory over the Texans on Sunday.
The first-year Chief tied Travis Kelce for the team lead in receptions and targets while also checking in second in receiving yards. Smith-Schuster's fumble came just past the halfway point of the third quarter on a controversial hit, with the change of possession confirmed by replay. The veteran wideout has been exceedingly busy over the last two games, producing a 19-162-1 line on 21 targets in that span. Now over the 800-yard mark for the season, Smith-Schuster will aim to continue a march to the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career in a Week 16 home matchup against the Seahawks on Saturday afternoon.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Unless the Texans give the Chiefs a fight like they did against the Cowboys last week, it's safe to assume a low-volume passing day for the Kansas City offense. That really limits the upside of Smith-Schuster in any format. At best he's a full-PPR flex. I'd rather start Christian Watson, Adam Thielen, Michael Pittman and Zay Jones.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Finds end zone against Denver
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Smith-Schuster caught nine of 11 targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Broncos.
He led Kansas City in receptions on the day and caught Patrick Mahomes' third TD pass, but Jerick McKinnon surprisingly hauled in a team-high 112 receiving yards and the QB's first two touchdowns. Smith-Schuster posted his best numbers since Week 9, and the score was his first since Week 7. He'll again be a high-upside option in Week 15 against a Texans defense that's been more vulnerable on the ground than through the air in 2022.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: WRs to Sit
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It's been a rough month for Smith-Schuster, who suffered a concussion in Week 10 against Jacksonville, then missed Week 11 at the Chargers and got limited production the past two weeks against the Rams and Cincinnati. He's combined for six catches for 73 yards and no touchdowns on just seven targets over that span, and hopefully his slump will end this week at Denver. The problem is the Broncos one constant this season has been their pass defense, which is No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Denver has allowed just six touchdowns to opposing receivers all year, and Smith-Schuster should be considered just a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most leagues in Week 14.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Three grabs against Cincy
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Smith-Schuster caught three of four targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Bengals.
It was a quiet showing for Smith-Schuster and the Kansas City passing game as a whole, but he still caught multiple passes for the 11th straight game this season. The former Steeler has been held below 40 receiving yards in three straight games, and he could have a hard time breaking out in Week 14 against the stingy Broncos secondary.
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Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Puts in full practice
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Smith-Schuster (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Smith-Schuster was sidelined for the Chiefs' first Week 13 practice Wednesday, but his return to full activity a day later implies that the illness he had been dealing with isn't a major concern. In his return from a one-game absence due to a concussion during last week's 26-10 win over the Rams, the receiver played just 39 percent of the Chiefs' snaps on offense, but expect him to be more involved Sunday in Cincinnati. Smith-Schuster's light workload may have been a byproduct of Kansas City establishing an early lead and opting to rest him with the Rams offense not presenting much of a threat while amassing fewer than 200 yards of total offense.
