NFL Player News

Schultz "tweaked" his knee during a Saturday practice ahead of Week 6, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schultz returned to action Week 4 following a one-game absence due to a PCL sprain and played 89 percent of the team's offensive snaps. However, he aggravated the issue Week 5 and was held to just nine offensive snaps. Nonetheless, he returned to practice during Week 6 prep and didn't have an injury designation heading into Sunday's contest until he was surprisingly ruled inactive. Gehlken relays that the tight end suffered yet another setback Saturday, but the extent of the situation remains unclear. In his absence, Jake Ferguson recorded career highs in receptions (four), targets (six) and receiving yards (40) and caught his first NFL touchdown against Philadelphia.

Otton brought in two of three targets for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-18 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

The rookie tight end went back to a timeshare role at tight end to open the game, as Cameron Brate had been deemed healthy enough to return from his concussion. However, Brate suffered a head/neck injury that forced him to be stretchered off after 32 snaps, leading to Otton assuming the lead pass-catching role at the position the rest of the way. Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports that Brate's injury has now officially been diagnosed as a neck sprain, and there are no associated neurological issues; however, there's seemingly a good chance the veteran sits out the Week 7 road matchup against the Panthers, at minimum, opening up more opportunity for Otton in the process.

Engram caught five of six targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Colts.

Engram has seen increased involvement recently, catching 11 of 16 targets for 109 yards over the past two weeks. The former Giants tight end has yet to find the end zone as a member of the Jaguars, but given the lack of tight end depth around the league, Engram's recent uptick in usage gives him appeal in deeper formats.

Smith was on the field for 30 of a possible 70 snaps on offense in Sunday's 38-15 win over the Browns en route to catching both of his targets for 61 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Meanwhile fellow tight end Hunter Henry logged 68 snaps, while catching four of his seven targets for 61 yards and a TD. Smith's Week 6 fantasy line was bolstered by a 53-yard catch, but looking ahead to next Monday's game against the Bears, he's a hit-or-miss lineup option, given that he continues to work in a timeshare with Henry.

Gentry secured his lone target for four yards during Sunday's 20-18 win over the Buccaneers.

Gentry saw an uptick in snaps Sunday with Pat Freiermuth (concussion) sidelined. However, Gentry drew just one target late in the second quarter, which helped set up a 55-yard field goal by the Steelers. The 26-year-old has tallied at least 40 yards in two of the first six games of the season but is an unreliable fantasy option, particularly when Freiermuth is healthy.

Heyward secured two of three targets for 49 yards during Sunday's 20-18 win over Tampa Bay.

Heyward saw increased playing time Sunday since Pat Freiermuth (concussion) was sidelined, and Heyward had the longest play of the game for the Steelers with a 45-yard reception early in the fourth quarter. While it was encouraging to see Heyward's increased production in Week 6, his playing time should drop off once Freiermuth is cleared to return.

Higbee caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 24-10 victory against the Panthers.

Higbee came into the contest with an ankle issue, and that may have contributed to his season lows in targets, receptions and yardage. The Rams go on bye next week, giving Higbee extra time to fully recover from the injury before he gets another chance to torch the 49ers in Week 8, after he put up a solid 10-73-0 line on a whopping 14 targets against them in Week 4.

Hendershot caught two of five targets for 22 yards in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

With Dalton Schultz (knee) sidelined again, Hendershot saw a career high in targets but wasn't able to do much with them. The tight end remains behind fellow rookie Jake Ferguson in the pecking order, giving Hendershot little fantasy relevance even if Schultz isn't able to return to action Week 7 against the Lions.

Ferguson caught four of six targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

The rookie tight end recorded his first NFL score early in the fourth quarter, catching a short pass from Cooper Rush and making a slick move around a Philadelphia defender to get into the end zone. The catches, targets and yards also were career highs for Ferguson, but his run of deep-league fantasy relevance likely will come to an end once Dalton Schultz (knee) is 100 percent.

Pruitt caught his only target for two yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 28-14 victory over the 49ers.

Pruitt was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for a second consecutive week and played 16 offensive snaps, four more than his first appearance. He quickly made an impression on Sunday's game, catching a two-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota for his first scoring grab of the campaign. Pruitt is eligible for only one more elevation before he'll have to be signed to the active roster.