NFL Player News

The Texans informed Brown (hip/shoulder) of his release Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Houston's decision to cut ties with Brown comes as a surprise, given that he was signed to a one-year, $3 million guaranteed deal in March and had started in each of the Texans' first three games. The tight end was valued mostly as a blocker but had contributed seven receptions for 72 yards on 10 targets across his 134 offensive snaps on the season. He was inactive for the Texans' Week 4 game due to hip and shoulder injuries, but the team hadn't provided any indication that either issue was expected to result in a long-term absence. Brown's release should free up more snaps for Brevin Jordan (ankle) and O.J. Howard, with Jordan Akins a candidate to be signed from the practice squad to serve as additional depth.

Okwuegbunam played one offensive snap and didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 32-23 loss to the Raiders.

Okwuegbunam played 42 offensive snaps in the team's season-opening loss to the Seahawks, but he's seen his snap count decrease in each of the past three games and hardly played at all in Week 4. Eric Saubert led the Broncos' tight end room with 41 offensive snaps against Las Vegas, while Eric Tomlinson (21) and Andrew Beck (12) both garnered solid roles as well. However, Saubert was the only tight end involved in the passing attack, catching one of two targets for 25 yards. Greg Dulcich, a rookie third-round pick, could be activated from injured reserve as early as Week 6, and his presence may make Okwuegbunam's path back into the offensive game plan even more difficult.

Thomas caught one of three targets for six yards in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Cardinals.

Thomas overcame an ankle injury during the week to suit up Sunday, but fellow tight end Tommy Tremble played more snaps and caught a season-high three passes for 34 yards. Although another week could help Thomas return to full health, he nonetheless sports restricted fantasy value in a poor Panthers passing attack.

Tremble caught three of six targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Cardinals.

Tremble had merely two receptions for eight yards entering Sunday's contest, so his output marked an encouraging improvement. As someone down the pecking order in a poor passing attack thus far, however, Tremble's fantasy value remains restricted.

Kieft brought in his only target for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night.

The rookie tight end was impressive on his first pro reception, and he logged just nine snaps from scrimmage overall along with 17 on special teams. Kieft's catch aside, the sixth-round pick's primary role on offense will continue to be as a blocker unless injuries strike multiple players in front of him at tight end.

Otton secured three of four targets for 29 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to Kansas City on Sunday night.

The rookie set new career highs across the board after logging his first pro reception in Week 3. Otton's offensive snaps have seen a modest increase through his first three NFL games, going from 30 in Week 1 to 39 in this one, although he was inactive in Week 3. He could continue to see his role expand in a Week 5 home matchup against the Falcons.

Holtz reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Holtz was activated from New Orleans' practice squad for the first time in 2022 on Sunday, playing 11 offensive snaps as the team's third-string tight end behind Adam Trautman (39) and Juwan Johnson (29). However, the 29-year-old did not receive a target and was flagged for an offensive holding penalty against the Vikings. Holtz also played seven special-teams snaps, and he can now be elevated from the Saints' practice squad for two more games this season.

Higbee caught 10 of 14 targets for 73 yards in Monday's 24-9 loss to the 49ers.

Higbee finished second to Cooper Kupp in targets, catches and receiving yards while totaling more catches and yards than the rest of the team combined. With Allen Robinson struggling to build chemistry with Matthew Stafford, Higbee has emerged as the Rams' second-most reliable target heading into a Week 5 matchup with the Cowboys, though Kupp should continue to see the lion's share of targets most weeks.

Kittle caught two of four targets for 24 yards in Monday's 24-9 win over the Rams.

Kittle wasn't targeted in the first half as San Francisco got lengthy touchdowns from Jeff Wilson (32-yard run) and Deebo Samuel (57-yard catch). The standout tight end was more involved after halftime, securing a 20-yard catch and later narrowly missing a short touchdown by failing to get his feet in-bounds. Playing without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and later losing Williams' replacement Colton McKivitz (knee), the 49ers relied more on Kittle's blocking prowess than his pass-catching ability, and that could wind up being the case again in Week 5 against the Panthers.

Swaim was not targeted in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Colts.

Swaim played 40 offensive snaps, which led the Titans' tight end corps. However, he failed to command a target, which isn't all that surprising given his primary duties are as a blocker. Through four games this season, Swaim has six receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.