NFL Player News

Hudson brought in his only target for a 20-yard reception in the Buccaneers' 47-7 win over the Lions on Saturday.

The backup tight end logged a season-high 22 snaps from scrimmage in the blowout win, with the lopsided nature of the contest undoubtedly playing an integral part in his expanded opportunity. Hudson has just a 3-41 line over 11 games this season, but he could be in for some extra reps on offense again in Week 17 against the Falcons if coach Bruce Arians opts to give some of his first-unit players some rest.

Brown caught his lone target for 29 yards and led Houston's tight ends with 27 snaps in Sunday's 37-31 loss to the Bengals.

Known primarily for his blocking skills, Brown has impressed coaches with his versatility, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. He's capable of lining up as a traditional tight end, splitting out wide or moving into the backfield at fullback. "He finds ways to make it work and to excel at it. I'm very pleased with Pharaoh. He does a really good job in both the run game and pass game. He's just a good football player," said offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Brown has nine receptions on 11 targets for 115 yards in 12 games.

Akins caught four of four targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 37-31 loss to the Bengals.

Akins led Houston's tight ends in targets, receptions and yards, but he has not recorded a touchdown since Week 1 despite leading the position group with seven red-zone targets. With one game remaining, Akins needs one catch and 24 yards in Week 17 to record new career highs.

Njoku caught four of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Jets.

Njoku and the rest of the tight ends carried a larger share of targets with Cleveland's top four wideouts unavailable after being placed on the COVID-19 list. The Jets shut down the Browns' vaunted running attack, forcing quarterback Baker Mayfield to throw a season-high 53 times, including 26 targets to tight ends. The wideouts, who are considered close contacts of a teammate that tested positive for the virus, could return in time to practice and be ready for Week 17 against the Steelers.

Bryant caught three of a season-high seven targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Jets.

Cleveland's tight ends took on an extra workload after the team's top four wide receivers were placed on the COVID-19 list. The position group combined for a season-high 26 targets, smashing the previous high of 12, but Bryant and the rest of the tight ends could be back to normal next week. The wideouts, who were considered close contacts of a teammate that tested positive, will spend at least five days on the list, meaning they could return in time to practice and be ready for Week 17 against the Steelers.

Tonyan caught just one pass (two targets) for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-14 rout of the Titans.

Tonyan was riding high on a five-game touchdown streak, but that came to a screeching halt with Sunday's empty stat line. The budding tight end was not the only Green Bay receiver to be left out in the cold, as no other tight end or wide receiver outside of Davante Adams received more than two looks from Aaron Rodgers all game long. Green Bay's star duo picked on the Titans' defense and left little scraps for the rest of the crew. Tonyan will look to earn back Rodgers' attention in the red zone in a potential conference-clinching matchup with the Bears on Sunday.

Smith caught three passes (seven targets) for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 40-14 loss to Green Bay.

Ryan Tannehill and the entire Tennessee passing attack struggled mightily in frigid conditions, but Smith was the beneficiary of the team's only passing touchdown of the contest, allowing the tight end to finish with a respectable fantasy output. The 24-year-old is having another modest season, eclipsing his previous season high of 439 yards by one yard Sunday. The only noticeable difference in his production has been the uptick in touchdowns (eight) after finishing with three or fewer scores in his previous three seasons as a pro. Smith's improvement as a red-zone target does boost his value at a shallow position, just don't expect elite production and you will not be disappointed. A favorable matchup against a terrible Houston defense looms in Week 17.

Fant caught six of nine targets for 65 yards in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Chargers.

The tight end is having a strong close to his second NFL campaign, hauling in 14 catches for 133 yards and a TD on 20 targets over the last two games. Fant will look to keep his momentum rolling in Week 17's clash with the Raiders.

Thomas recorded seven receptions on 12 targets for 63 yards in Week 16 against the Panthers.

Thomas struggled to get going with Dwayne Haskins under center but showed good rapport with Taylor Heinicke late in the fourth quarter. After struggling to 15 yards with Haskins, Thomas recorded big gains of 19 and 12 yards with Heinicke under center. Thomas narrowly missed an even bigger performance, as he appeared to score a 10-yard touchdown that was nullified by a holding penalty. Nearing the end of a breakout campaign, Thomas will look to end the season strong in Week 17 against the Eagles.

Hurst corralled all five of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Hurst tallied his second TD in as many games, punching in a score at the 3:35 mark of the second quarter via a Matt Ryan shovel pass. The 27-year-old tight end has shattered career highs across the board, with 52 receptions, 543 receiving yards and five TDs heading into a Week 17 finale against the Buccaneers. Hurst scored against Tampa Bay last Sunday in a 31-27 loss, a not-so-infrequent pattern for tight ends as the Buccaneers have surrendered eight to the position in 2020.