Smith-Schuster joined the Patriots in the offseason, his third team in as many seasons. While it is quite the downgrade to move from Patrick Mahomes to Mac Jones, Smith-Schuster does have a chance to replace Jakobi Meyers in a role that has averaged about seven targets per game over the past two years. Smith-Schuster has not produced a 1,000-yard season since 2018, but he was WR24 last year before he was sidelined by a concussion. He earned eight-plus targets in six of his first seven games with the Chiefs. Draft him as a low-end No. 3 WR in Round 8 or 9. For as long as he stays healthy he's likely to slightly outperform that cost.
Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Season-high yardage total in win
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Smith-Schuster secured four of six targets for 90 yards in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.
Smith-Schuster led the Patriots in receiving yardage with what was also his highest tally since Week 7 of last season with the Chiefs. The 2017 second-round pick of the Steelers burned his original squad with a game-long 37-yard grab on New England's third offensive play, and he added 17- and 28-yard receptions later in the first half. Smith-Schuster's overall performance was easily his most productive of what has otherwise been a mostly lackluster campaign, but he could have a difficult time putting together a successful encore against the highly talented secondary of his other prior team, the Chiefs, in a Week 15 home matchup on Sunday, Dec. 17.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Active versus Steelers
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Smith-Schuster (ankle) is active for Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Smith-Schuster approached the contest listed as questionable after being listed as a limited participant on practice reports Monday through Wednesday, but he'll be available Thursday, unlike Demario Douglas (concussion), DeVante Parker (knee) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder). In the Patriots' 6-0 loss to the Chargers in Week 13, Smith-Schuster recorded just one catch for 11 yards on three targets. The veteran wideout remains a speculative lineup option versus Pittsburgh, given his modest overall production this season and the overall state of New England's offense ahead of Week 14 action.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Questionable for Thursday night
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Smith-Schuster (ankle) remained a limited participant in practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Steelers.
Fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) is also questionable, while Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) have been ruled out for Week 14. Smith-Schuster has surpassed 15 receiving yards only three times over his 10 appearances in what has been a disappointing season, but with New England's receiving corps banged up, he could see additional opportunities against the team with whom he spent his first five NFL seasons.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Remains limited
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Smith-Schuster (ankle) was listed as limited on Tuesday's practice report.
While Demario Douglas remained sidelined due to the concussion that he sustained in Week 12, all of Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker (knee) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) received the same limited listing Tuesday. As such, it's still unclear which wideouts the Patriots will actually have on the field Thursday in Pittsburgh.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Limited on Monday's estimate
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Smith-Schuster (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate.
Smith-Schuster played 59 offensive snaps in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers but totaled just one catch for 11 yards on three targets. New England is banged up at wide receiver -- Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) were listed as non-participants Monday, while DeVante Parker (knee) was limited -- but Smith-Schuster's problem this season has been a lack of production rather than a lack of playing time. Even if he suits up Thursday against the Steelers and the other receivers don't, Smith-Schuster's upside will be limited considering he has recorded 15 or more receiving yards in only one game since Week 3.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: One catch Sunday
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Smith-Schuster was on the field for 59 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Despite leading the Patriots' wide receivers in playing time Sunday, Smith-Schuster recorded just one catch for 11 yards on three targets in the contest. With the team's offense continuing to struggle, Smith-Schuster doesn't hold much fantasy lineup appeal ahead of Thursday night's game against the Steelers.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Two catches Sunday
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Smith-Schuster, who logged 44 of a possible 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants, caught two of his four targets in the contest for 10 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
With DeVante Parker back after a two-game absence, Smith-Schuster maintained a key role in the Patriots' Week 12 wide receiver corps, but that didn't result in much production in an offense that continues to struggle. Regardless of whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe starts at QB this weekend against the Chargers, Smith-Schuster profiles as low-percentage fantasy option.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: One catch Sunday
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Smith-Schuster logged a season-high 68 out of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Colts, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Despite the 99 percent snap share Sunday, Smith-Schuster was only targeted once in the contest, which resulted in a nine-yard catch. The Patriots are on bye Week 11, and once the team returns to action Sunday, Nov. 26 against the Giants, Smith-Schuster will profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option while working in an inconsistent offense with QB issues.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Could see added opportunities
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Smith-Schuster could have an opportunity to reestablish his role in the Patriots receiving corps with Kendrick Bourne reportedly having sustained a torn ACL on Sunday at Miami, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Additionally, DeVante Parker is in the NFL's concussion protocol, so the team's Week 9 WR depth could be further taxed. In any case, rookie Demario Douglas figures to maintain a key role in the weeks ahead, while Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor are also candidates to factor in. Through six games to date, Smith-Schuster has caught 15 of his 26 targets for 89 yards and a TD, but the Patriots' current injury situation could lead to the veteran wideout seeing an opportunity to become more involved in the offense as soon as Sunday's game against the Commanders.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Records TD in return
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Smith-Schuster brought in his only target for a three-yard touchdown in the Patriots' 31-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
The veteran pass catcher returned from a two-game absence due to a concussion, but he was invisible except for his fourth-quarter scoring grab. Smith-Schuster could enjoy a larger role in a favorable Week 9 home matchup against the Commanders if DeVante Parker (head) and Kendrick Bourne (knee) are sidelined.
Smith-Schuster (concussion) was not listed Wednesday on the Patriots' initial Week 8 injury report.
Smith-Schuster has missed the Patriots' last two games, but the wideout's removal from the injury report indicates he's cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, setting the stage for him to rejoin the lineup Sunday against the Dolphins. In his looming return to action, Smith-Schuster's path to steady volume in the passing game could be muddled, with rookie Demario Douglas making a case to maintain a key role in the offense alongside fellow wideouts Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker. In five games to date, Smith-Schuster has logged 14 catches for 86 yards on 25 targets, production that has limited his fantasy utility to deeper formats.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Not expected to face Bills
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) isn't expected to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Smith-Schuster, who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to miss his second straight game despite turning in a trio of limited practices Week 7. Meanwhile, tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) and rookie wideout Demario Douglas (concussion) are both listed as questionable but are expected to take the field, which provides a boost for New England's passing attack. Official confirmation on Smith-Schuster's status will arrive when the Patriots release their inactive list 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Questionable for Week 7
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The same goes for fellow WR Demario Douglas (concussion), with the Patriots having listed 16 players as questionable for the contest. Assuming Smith-Schuster clears the NFL's concussion protocol, he figures to be available this weekend, though his Week 7 status may not be officially confirmed until the team's inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. In the event that Smith-Schuster does return from his one-game absence, he'd profile as a speculative fantasy option in PPR formats. Through five outings to date, Smith-Schuster has recorded 14 catches for 86 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.
Demario Douglas (concussion) joined Smith-Schuster as a limited participant after both receivers missed the Patriots' Week 6 loss to the Raiders. After opening Week 7 prep as a limited participant, Smith-Schuster is trending in the right direction for Sunday's game against the Bills, though he still has some work to do to clear the five-step concussion protocol. In five appearances this season, Smith-Schuster has made a modest impact in PPR formats with 14 catches for 86 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Back at practice
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) was present for practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Smith-Schuster sat out Sunday's loss to the Raiders after not practicing in any fashion, but his return to the field Wednesday bodes well for his chances of playing this weekend against the Bills. The extent of his participation in Wednesday's practice will be clarified once the Patriots' first Week 7 injury report is released, but at a minimum, his presence on the field suggests that he's advancing through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Won't play Sunday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Demario Douglas (concussion) is also sidelined for the Week 6, leaving DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery as the team's available options at receiver currently on the 53-man roster. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) is a candidate to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game, while Malik Cunningham and/or Jalen Reagor are potential practice-squad elevations. Smith-Schuster will now target a potential return to action Oct. 22 against the Bills.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Still not practicing
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) wasn't seen on the practice field Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The same goes for Demario Douglas, and if neither player can go Sunday against the Raiders, the Patriots' top available wideouts would be DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, with Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery also in the mix. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) could be activated from IR ahead of Week 6 action.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Not practicing Thursday
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Smith-Schuster (concussion) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Nor was Demario Douglas, with Zack Cox of NESN.com relaying that both WRs are still in the NFL's concussion protocol. Smith-Schuster now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, but he'll need to practice fully Friday (and gain full medical clearance) in order to head into the weekend minus a Week 6 injury designation.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Smith-Schuster didn't practice Wednesday due to a concussion.
Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas exited this past Sunday's blowout loss to the Saints with what the team termed as head injuries, but both wide receivers have been confirmed to have entered the NFL's concussion protocol, per Zack Cox of NESN.com. For now, the Patriots' top healthy wideouts are DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, with Kayshon Boutte and the versatile Ty Montgomery also on hand. Additionally, Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) is a candidate to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game at Las Vegas.
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Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Exits with head injury
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Smith-Schuster has been ruled out for a return to Sunday's game against the Saints due to a head injury. He recorded three catches for six yards on four targets prior to exiting the contest.
Smith-Schuster is the second Patriots receiver to be ruled out for the day due to a head injury, as the team announced coming out of halftime that rookie Demario Douglas wouldn't be able to return to the contest. In the case of Smith-Schuster, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays that the 26-year-old was quickly ruled out after he was examined in the blue medical tent on the Patriots' sideline. With Smith-Schuster and Douglas both sidelined for the rest of the afternoon, the Patriots are left with DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne at the position, though running back Ty Montgomery, tight end Mike Gesicki and special teamer Matthew Slater can probably fill in in a pinch, if needed.
