TRE'QUAN SMITH NEWS

Ability to overcome mistakes prolongs Saints' winning streak

The New Orleans Saints have played well enough lately to withstand not only the absence of record-setting quarterback Drew Brees

DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches TD in win over Falcons Smith secured three of six targets for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 21-16 win against Atlanta. He added one rush attempt for three yards.

Impact Smith secured Taysom Hill's first career NFL touchdown pass at the 7:01 mark of the first quarter, finding a hole in the Falcons' defense for the uncontested score. He enjoyed a huge spike in involvement, garnering seven targets after attracting just four combined pass attempts between Weeks 9 and 12. The Central Florida product is one score away from opening his career with three straight five-TD campaigns. The Saints will next prepare for a Week 14 road trip to Philadelphia.

DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

One reception in Week 12 rout Smith hauled in his only target for 16 yards in the Saints' 31-3 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

Impact Surprisingly, Smith was one of just two Saints pass-catchers to accumulate double-digit receiving yards (Michael Thomas being the other) in a game during which Taysom Hill threw for just 78 yards. New Orleans crushed Denver on the ground to the tune of 229 rushing yards, accounting for the paltry passing stats. Smith will look to bounce back in a favorable matchup against Atlanta in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for NFC South battle Smith (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Smith didn't take long to pass through the concussion protocol, despite taking a big hit in last week's win over the 49ers. He's seen only three targets on 51 snaps since Michael Thomas returned from an ankle injury, and it's unlikely the temporary QB switch from Drew Brees (thumb) to Taysom Hill will be beneficial for the Saints' pass catchers.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Thursday Smith (concussion) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Smith was leveled and removed for good during the second quarter of this past Sunday's win versus the 49ers. A concussion was the result of the play, but he now has made some progress through the protocol for head injuries. Still, Smith was donning a red non-contact jersey Thursday, per Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, so a cloud is hanging over his head as the weekend draws closer.

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kamara-Jones a marquee matchup when Saints host Falcons

Alvin Kamara’s next chance to build on his prolific season comes against a Falcons defense that hopes it has an answer to the Saints’ dynamic running back

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not practicing Wednesday Smith (concussion) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Smith was forced out of last weekend's win over the 49ers after taking a big hit, and he'll now need to fully clear the league's five-step concussion protocol before retaking the field. Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway will be candidates to for increased roles behind Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders if Smith is unable to play Week 11.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Saints' Brees has rib fractures, collapsed lung

A person familiar with the situation says Drew Brees has been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed right lung

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saints overcome Brees injury, beat 49ers 27-13

Drew Brees was pulled at halftime with a rib injury after passing for just 76 yards and a touchdown, but Alvin Kamara scored three times and New Orleans' defense largely stifled Sa...

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sustains concussion in Week 10 Smith won't return to Sunday's contest against the 49ers due to a concussion, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact In the aftermath of a big hit in the second quarter, Smith remained on the turf for some time before needing assistance to reach the sideline and eventually go to the locker room. Before he departed, he was held without a catch on one target. Look for Deonte Harris and potentially Marquez Callaway to get any targets that don't go to starting wide receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Departs Sunday's game Smith (head) went to the locker room during the second quarter of Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith took a huge hit and didn't move on the turf for a spell, but he eventually was able to walk of the field with some assistance. Considering the nature of the play, he may be undergoing neurological testing to determined if he suffered a concussion. In any case, Smith only received the one target before his departure.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in Week 9 win Smith brought in one of two targets for a 14-yard touchdown in the Saints' 38-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Impact As expected, Smith saw his target share dwindle with Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders back in the lineup. Though he salvaged his day with a touchdown, the single target was far from encouraging. Smith will be a boom-or-bust option with New Orleans' receiving corps nearing full strength.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Saints' Thomas, Sanders practice as Bucs clash looms

Saints receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are on the cusp of returning to New Orleans’ passing game at an opportune time

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Season-high volume Sunday Smith caught five of seven targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 26-23 overtime win over the Bears.

Impact While he didn't turn his opportunities into much production, Smith did tie his season highs in catches and targets as Drew Brees' top option at wide receiver, although tight end Jared Cook matched his volume and Alvin Kamara topped them both. Depending on the health of Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID), Smith could again see a significant workload in Week 9's tough road matchup against the Buccaneers.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Time to shine, Pt. II? Smith and Deonte Harris are the only healthy wide receivers on the Saints' active roster, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Smith was expected to be the No. 1 guy last week with Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19) both out, but instead it was Marquez Callaway who led the team in targets (10) and receiving yards (75). An ankle injury now has Callaway ruled out, leaving only Smith, Harris and whoever gets called up from the practice squad. Smith should see more than the four targets he had last week, but he'll be facing a tough Chicago defense in a game that likely will be impacted by strong winds.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Four grabs in win Smith brought in all four targets for 54 yards in the Saints' 27-24 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Impact Smith was poised for a potentially substantial boost in volume as Drew Brees' de facto No. 1 receiver Sunday, but the third-year wideout ultimately underwhelmed relative to expectations. He saw both Marquez Callaway (leg) and Deonte Harris contribute plenty through the air as well, leading to less of a target share than may have been expected. The silver lining for those who may have nabbed Smith off the wire this week is that he could have another chance at redemption Week 8 versus the Bears, considering Calloway exited Sunday's contest late, Emmanuel Sanders (illness) is slated to sit out one more game, and Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring) also could be forced to miss the contest.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could be busy Sunday Smith should be a big part of the New Orleans passing game Sunday against the Panthers, as fellow wideouts Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (reserve/COVID-19) won't...

Impact With Thomas out of the lineup for the past four games, Smith averaged 3.8 catches for 47.5 yards and 0.5 TDs on 5.0 targets. That's not exactly prolific, but Sanders saw 7.8 targets per game over the same stretch, accounting for 22 percent of the team total. Smith now finds himself in a good position to pile up targets, though RB Alvin Kamara and TE Jared Cook also figure to see plenty of work.

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Saints' Sanders on COVID reserve, Thomas out with hamstring

New Orleans Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders has tested positive for COVID-19 and fellow receiver Michael Thomas will miss his fifth straight game on Sunday against Carolina becaus...

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Draws three targets Week 5 Smith reeled in two of three targets for eight yards Monday in the Saints' 30-27 overtime win over the Chargers.

Impact With 13 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns over the previous three weeks, Smith had been the primary Saints receiver to step up in the absence of Michael Thomas (ankle). Thomas was out again Monday -- this time due to a disciplinary issue -- but rather than Smith, it was Emmanuel Sanders (12 catches for 122 yards on 14 targets) who took advantage. Assuming the Saints are comfortable activating Thomas following their Week 6 bye, both Smith and Sanders could see their opportunities diminish in the games to come.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Five Best Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 5 Week 5 is here for fantasy football enthusiasts. At this point, we have a pretty idea of what our teams look like, what the strengths are, a...

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Saints' offense gets back to Payton-Brees era norm

The Saints’ offense was missing top receiving targets in a win over the Detroit Lions

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores twice as Thomas sits again Smith hauled in all four of his targets for 54 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 35-29 win over the Lions.

Impact Smith caught touchdowns of two and 20 yards in the final 3:03 of the first half, as the Saints turned a 14-0 deficit into a 28-14 halftime lead. New Orleans' offense has gone more run-heavy with top wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) sidelined for the past three games, but Smith has emerged as quarterback Drew Brees' second-favorite target behind running back Alvin Kamara when the team turns to the air. If Thomas isn't ready to return in Week 5, Smith's prominent role will make him an appealing option against a Chargers defense that just surrendered five passing touchdowns to Tampa Bay.

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Six targets in loss Smith brought in four of six targets for 42 yards in the Saints' 37-30 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Impact For the second week in a row, Smith finished second in targets behind only Alvin Kamara, though it was Kamara and Emmanuel Sanders who were on the receiving end of Drew Brees' three touchdowns. Smith's deep-threat abilities have yet to make an appearance in 2020, as Drew Brees has struggled to get the ball downfield, and despite the increase in targets, is value is capped by the Saints' highly-conservative pass attack.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sees boost in production Smith caught five of seven targets for 86 yards in Monday night's 34-24 loss to the Raiders.

Impact Smith made a big impact on crossing routes, helping fill the void created by star teammate Michael Thomas' absence due to an ankle injury. In the end, only Alvin Kamara topped him in receptions, targets and yards, which marked necessary improvement on Smith's mere one catch for four yards in Week 1. In contrast, fellow wideout Emmanuel Sanders again struggled Monday, not making his lone grab of the game until the Saints' final drive. As long as Thomas is sidelined and Sanders is acclimating, it appears Smith's familiarity with quarterback Drew Brees should make him a more regular target, boosting his value.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could fill Thomas target void Smith is expected to start at wide receiver Sunday against the Raiders and could help fill the target void left by the absence of Michael Thomas (ankle), Mike Triplett of ESPN.com...

Impact While Smith won't be a one-for-one replacement, he'll be one of several passing-game options the Saints are hoping will step up while Thomas -- who recorded an NFL-record 149 receptions in 2019 -- misses his first game in four years. Quarterback Drew Brees is expected to lean most heavily on Emmanuel Sanders, Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook to absorb some extra target volume, but Thomas' absence should also help tertiary pass catchers like Smith, Taysom Hill, Bennie Fowler, Deonte Harris, Ty Montgomery and Latavius Murray. Smith is still difficult to trust as anything more than a punt play at receiver in DFS contests.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE