The Athletic’s Nate Taylor believes JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the Chiefs’ best WR in training camp. Taylor describes the former Steeler as “a smooth route runner who has been consistent.” There’s some post-hype appeal to JuJu, who turns just 26 in November. Given the lack of proven targets in Kansas City, WR2 totals are well within his range of outcomes.
Chiefs starters played 1 possession in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears. JuJu Smith-Schuster led the WRs with 11 snaps, followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling (9), Mecole Hardman (4) and Justin Watson (1), according to Pro Football Focus. Skyy Moore did not get onto the field with that unit. We'll see how that usage pattern develops through the preseason.
Per NFL insider Albert Breer, the Chiefs have seen a “more mature version” of WR Mecole Hardman this offseason. Breer writes that Hardman “had a lot of growing up to do coming into the NFL,” even beyond his rookie season. It’s a huge year for the 24-year-old, as his contract is set to expire in 2023. But following the additions of Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, it’s clear that Kansas City isn’t expecting a major leap from the incumbent.
Per Nate Taylor of the Athletic, the Chiefs believe rookie WR Skyy Moore “can excel as a secondary slot receiver behind Smith-Schuster and be a possible deep threat on the perimeter in one-on-one matchups.” Moore’s undersized — both in height and wingspan. But he brings blazing speed and quicks and sure hands. Marquez Valdes-Scantling profiles as the field-stretcher with JuJu Smith-Schuster working the short to intermediate routes. Moore’s usage figures to be diverse in an offense that lost 260 targets with the offseason departures of Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson. The rookie is battling a minor hamstring tweak at the moment, but there's no cause for concern.
Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster announced Friday that he's signing with the Chiefs. He should face little competition -- at least among what's currently rostered -- for the #2 wideout position. That hasn't been a high-upside role with Andy Reid's Chiefs, though. No K.C. WR besides Tyreek Hill has finished higher than 47th in the PPR rankings since 2015. That #47 finish came last year from Mecole Hardman, who should lose some target share to Smith-Schuster. WR Byron Pringle's departure for Chicago leaves some targets available, but he drew just 8.9% of the looks last year. We'd bet on Smith-Schuster overtaking Hardman as the team's 2nd-most targeted wideout. The landing spot should boost the average target depth for Smith-Schuster after that number dwindled to 5.5 and 6.5 yards the past 2 seasons. He was at 8.8 and 9.7 his 1st 2 years in the league. The Chiefs also like to move their WRs around. So we'd bet on Smith-Schuster coming down from the 80+% of time he spent in the slot the past 2 seasons. He's also likely to jump up the ADP charts with the K.C. landing, so be wary of overpaying in best-ball drafts going forward.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) is active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Chiefs. We'd be surprised if he played anything close to a full slate of snaps in his first action since early October.
The Steelers have activated WR JuJu Smith-Schuster from IR, making him eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He had previously said he'd take part. It's tough to know just how much we can expect, though, from a guy who is coming off October shoulder surgery. Smith-Schuster is no more than a fringe fantasy football consideration for what will likely be Pittsburgh's lone playoff game.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) returned to practice on Thursday. He's been out since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 that required surgery. He was supposed to miss the rest of the season and still seems like a big long shot to play vs. the Chiefs this weekend. But we'll keep an eye on him.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster underwent shoulder surgery on Sunday night and will miss the remainder of the 2021 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smith-Schuster is set to hit free agency next offseason after inking a 1-year deal with Pittsburgh back in March. His absence the rest of this season will make WR Chase Claypool a safer weekly target bet. WR Diontae Johnson, of course, will continue to see plenty of volume.
The Steelers are expected to place WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on IR and fear he may miss the rest of the season with the shoulder injury that knocked him out of Sunday's win over the Broncos, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With James Washington already out, Ray-Ray McCloud got 52% playing time vs. Denver, behind only Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool at the position. More of a slot player than Johnson, Claypool or Washington, McCloud could continue to see significant playing time for as long as Smith-Schuster is out. We'll see about Washington's status heading into Week 6. We'll also see about the specific diagnosis on Smith-Schuster's shoulder.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster injured his shoulder in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.
Update: Smith-Schuster has been ruled out.
Steelers WR Chase Claypool (hamstring) has been ruled out for tomorrow's game vs. the Packers. No surprise after he hurt that hamstring on Thursday and didn't practice on Friday. His status for Week 5 beyond is uncertain. WR James Washington will step into Claypool's spot in 3-WR sets but would be a shaky fantasy play with QB Ben Roethlisberger struggling badly. WRs Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster should also pick up extra targets.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) isn’t listed on the final injury report and will play vs. the Packers on Sunday. His target projection gets a boost if WR Chase Claypool sits with his hamstring injury.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. Dealing with bruised ribs, JuJu figures to play vs. the Packers this weekend. But check back tomorrow for another update.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. Smith-Schuster is considered "day to day" with bruised ribs but shouldn't be considered a lock to play vs. the Packers this weekend. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has been diagnosed with bruised ribs and is considered "day to day," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We'll keep an eye on Smith-Schuster's practice participation this week, but it sounds like he has a chance to play vs. the Packers on Sunday.
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