NFL Player News

Hockenson caught 10 of 11 targets for 89 yards during Sunday's 44-6 loss to the Eagles.

Seeing more than double the number of targets as the next closest player on the team, Hockenson was the only avenue through which the Lions were able to find success. Through eight games, the tight end has now seen at least eight targets six times, which is a claim that only one other tight end in the NFL (Travis Kelce) can make. While Hockenson won't have Kelce's upside as long as Jared Goff is throwing him the ball, his usage rate is elite and it's likely that Hockenson is just approaching his physical peak. The No. 8 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft will remain a top fantasy option when the Lions return from their Week 9 bye.

Kmet caught three passes for 24 yards in the Bears' 33-22 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

Kmet was second on the team with six targets, but aside from a 16-yard reception, he had a quiet afternoon. He's yet to score a touchdown or reach 50 yards in a game this season, making him a low-upside fantasy option.

Holtz is in the concussion protocol, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Holtz will have an extra day to clear the protocol since the Bears play on Monday night in Week 9 against the Steelers. Jesper Horsted would likely absorb the extra snaps if the 28-year-old needs to miss time.

Goedert caught six of his seven targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 44-6 win over the Lions.

The Eagles hardly needed to throw in this one, and when they did, they generally stayed short. As a result, Goedert ended up seeing half of Jalen Hurts' targets. In two games since the Zach Ertz trade, the 26-year-old has caught nine of 12 targets for 142 yards. He should be among the top tight ends in the league over the rest of the year.

Smith (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Smith, who logged limited practices this past week, will be out there if you need him Sunday, but his weekly fantasy ceiling has thus far has been capped while operating in a timeshare with Hunter Henry. Through seven contests, Smith has caught 18 of his 30 targets for 176 yards and a TD, while Henry has recorded a 24/264/4 stat line in that span.

Jordan is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jordan will draw into the Texans' lineup Sunday, with Pharaoh Brown out with a thigh injury. In his NFL regular-season debut, the 2021 fifth-rounder is a speculative fantasy play, but if Jordan can hold his own as a blocker, the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder could potentially carve enough of a role in Houston's offense as the season rolls along to merit attention in deeper leagues.

Brown (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Brown appears to have picked up the thigh injury during the week of practice; he wasn't included on the Texans' initial Week 8 report before he was listed as a limited participant at Thursday's session and a non-participant Friday. Though he's only been a tertiary option in the Texans' passing attack, Brown's absence will open up more reps at tight end for Jordan Akins, who profiles as more of a receiving threat than the blocking-oriented Brown.

Kroft (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

A full practice Friday suggested Kroft would suit up for the first time since Week 4. He played 66 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps over the first four weeks of the season, but caught just six passes for 46 yards on 10 targets. Ryan Griffin hasn't been much better in Kroft's absence, catching exactly one pass in four straight games.

Wright has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Wright did the same prior to the Week 7 tilt against the Rams and played a total of 15 offensive snaps with 20 more on special teams. He'll likely revert back to the practice squad after the game.

Okwuegbunam (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

The Broncos activated both Okwuegbunam and Jerry Jeudy (ankle) ahead of Sunday's matchup, setting the duo up to make their respective returns. Okwuegbunam will still operate behind Noah Fant as the No. 2 tight end, but the Missouri product seemingly has carved out a bigger role in his second season with the team, tallying nine receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in the four games prior to his injury.