NFL Player News

Smith was on the field for 25 of a possible 62 snaps on offense in Sunday's 33-24 loss to the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Smith wasn't targeted in the contest and logged one carry for five yards Sunday. He finishes up the 2021 regular season with 28 catches (on 45 targets) for 294 yards and a TD to go along with nine carries for 40 yards in 16 games. While working in a tight end timeshare that has seen Hunter Henry more involved as a pass catcher, Smith remains a hit-or-miss fantasy option heading into Saturday's playoff opener against the Bills.

Pitts caught two of five targets for eight yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

Pitts came into the contest listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury, but the rookie first-round pick ultimately was able to suit up. However, the tight end produced his worst performance of the season. He finished the 2021 campaign with 68 catches for 1,026 yards, but he only scored one touchdown. Pitts was as advertised during his first season in the NFL and was one of the lone bright spots on the Falcons' sporadic offense, but he likely will have to improve as a red-zone threat in Year 2 if he's going to take over as a bonafide star.

Hurst caught his only pass for 33 yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

Hurst (12 snaps) returned from a one-game absence due to COVID-19 protocols and split backup duties with Patrick Hesse (11), but the former was the only one targeted in the pass game. Despite being targeted once, Hurst finished third on the team in receiving by recording the Falcons' longest offensive play of the game, setting up their first touchdown of the contest. In his second season with Atlanta, Hurst played in 13 games and recorded 26 receptions for 221 yards, the lowest totals since his rookie year in Baltimore. After coming off a career-high season (56 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns), Hurst's fantasy upside was negatively impacted by the addition of rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, but Atlanta's whole offensive unit struggled to get going after Calvin Ridley (personal) left the team ahead of Week 8.

Deguara was targeted four times and caught three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-30 loss to the Lions.

Deguara did nearly all his damage on a 62-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest, but when it was all said and done he tied his career high for catches in a game and set a new career best in the receiving yards department. He led Packers tight ends in snaps six times over the team's last seven games and will head into the postseason as the team's top option at his position.

Rader caught two of three targets for eight yards during the 2021 regular season.

Even though Eric Ebron (knee) missed nine games in 2021, Rader saw minimal playing time while appearing in just six games. He's made just seven appearances across his first two professional seasons and seems unlikely to have a massive uptick in production next year.

Firkser recorded four receptions on four targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Texans.

Firkser maintained an increased role in the Titans' passing attack, as he racked up at least three targets for the second consecutive game. He took advantage of his opportunities and opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter. Firkser also made a number of big plays, tallying receptions that went for 24 and 17 yards. After a slow start to the campaign, Firkser has closed the season with at least three catches in three of his last five games while also scoring twice in that span.

Gentry secured four of five targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Ravens.

Gentry matched his highest totals of the year in targets, catches and yards during Sunday's regular-season finale as the Steelers managed to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The 25-year-old had inconsistent results in 2021 while operating mainly as a depth tight end, and he caught 19 of 25 targets for 167 yards across 17 appearances. The 2019 fifth-rounder will likely have the chance to enter the 2022 campaign as the Steelers' secondary option at tight end if Eric Ebron (knee) leaves in free agency, but he'll need to have more consistent production in the passing game if he hopes to become fantasy relevant.

Freiermuth brought in six of nine targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Ravens.

Freiermuth compiled 15 targets across the final two games of the regular season, but he recorded just 75 yards during that time and failed to reach the end zone. He was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 18 and led the team in receiving yards. The rookie established himself as Pittsburgh's top tight end during his first professional season, and he caught 60 of 79 targets for 497 yards and seven touchdowns across 16 appearances. Fellow tight end Eric Ebron (knee) is slated to become a free agent during the offseason, so Freiermuth should further solidify his spot as the team's No. 1 tight end.

Waller (knee) had two receptions (nine targets) for 22 yards in Sunday's 35-32 win over the Chargers.

Waller was able to return from a five-game layoff and help the Raiders clinch an unlikely playoff berth. The athletic tight end was understandably rusty and likely did not play at full strength. It was a disappointing season for Waller overall, as injuries and some poor outings resulted in 55 receptions, 665 yards and just two touchdowns over 11 contests. There were no reports of the 28-year-old suffering any setbacks to his balky knee, but we will have to wait for practice reports to confirm his availability for next week's wild-card round against the Bengals. Cincinnati did allow the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, so Waller could make for a sneaky DFS option if his price is suppressed by Week 18's fizzling performance.

Henry caught five of six targets for 86 yards in Sunday's 33-24 loss to the Dolphins.

The tight end led the Patriots in catches and receiving yards, but it was the team's backfield that accounted for all three of its TDs. Henry finishes the regular season with 55 catches on 81 targets for a career-high 689 yards and nine touchdowns, and he figures to be Mac Jones' most reliable option in Saturday's wild-card round clash with the Bills.