NFL Player News

LaPorta brought in eight of 13 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 32-26 loss to the Panthers on Sunday night.

LaPorta turned in season-high numbers across all three components of his receiving line, and he added his second touchdown of the campaign on an eight-yard grab with 3:38 remaining to bring the Lions within six points. LaPorta has had a steady role through the first four games of the season, netting a 22-228-2 line on 32 targets. It's worth noting many of LaPorta's receptions have had an impact, as he's produced 12 first downs and already has three catches of 20-plus yards heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Cardinals next Sunday.

Ferguson caught three of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 34-30 win over the Texans.

Ferguson is averaging a career low 2.5 yards after catch per reception and just 0.71 yards per route run through four games to begin the season. He has three touchdowns on the year but otherwise has caught just 12 passes for 83 yards on 15 targets in Dallas' high-volume passing attack. He's merely fighting for scraps behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and has devolved into a touchdown-or-bust fantasy bet.

Waller caught three of six targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 32-26 win over the Lions.

Waller finished second on the Panthers in targets and was one yard behind John Metchie for second on the team in receiving yards, but Tetairoa McMillan (14 catches for 192 yards and two TDs on 16 targets) was the clear No. 1 option in the passing game as the Panthers played without starting wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps). The Lions had given up a league-high six touchdowns to tight ends entering play Sunday, but Waller was unable to add to that total. Waller and the Panthers will be on bye in Week 5 before facing the Eagles in Week 6.

Thomas caught both of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.

Thomas logged just 26 of 84 offensive snaps, playing well behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer at tight end, but the veteran Thomas has carved out a prominent blocking role under coach Klint Kubiak. Thomas has three grabs for 43 yards and the score across four games this season and isn't relevant in fantasy.

Gesicki caught three of five targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Jaguars.

With Ja'Marr Chase leaving early in the first half with a concussion, Gesicki played an elevated role behind Tee Higgins and Chase Brown in the Cincinnati offense. Gesicki continues to run the vast majority of his routes out of the slot and should remain in that role while Andrei Iosivas (thumb) is on injured reserve. Gesicki has scored a touchdown in three of the first four games to begin the season and is up to 11 catches for 155 yards and the three scores on 15 targets.

Gadsden secured five of eight targets for 36 yards and recorded a two-yard carry during Sunday's 30-23 defeat in Seattle.

With position mates David Njoku (fibula) on IR and Charlie Kolar (forearm) sidelined the last two contests, Gadsden has had uneven results, posting a bagel on three targets in Week 3 at Buffalo before Sunday's season-best performance. Gadsden likely was helped this week by the early exit of No. 1 WR Ladd McConkey (foot), but the former's efficiency (9.5 YPC, 5.7 YPT) has been lacking in a floundering Chargers offense so far this season. In any case, for as long as Njoku and Kolar are out of the lineup, Gadsden shouldn't have a problem leading the team's TEs in most receiving categories.

Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Dolphins.

The veteran tight end emerged as Kyler Murray's favorite target in the absence of Justin Jefferson (ankle), and as a result Hockenson produced his first game with 100-plus yards since 2024, when he popped for a 7-114-0 line against the Bears in Week 12. Hockenson came into Sunday with just 76 receiving yards, so he could have trouble repeating the performance even if Jefferson misses another game, but Murray had success feeding the ball to Trey McBride last year with Arizona as well -- McBride posted a 29-275-1 line on 42 targets during the five games they were in the lineup together. Hockenson will look to keep rolling in a Week 5 road trip to New Orleans.

Kittle secured four of six targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 24-14 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

Kittle was having an unremarkable day until just before the two-minute warning, when he brought in a tight-end screen from Brock Purdy, turned upfield and raced 56 yards to the end zone to extend what had been a thin 17-14 lead for the 49ers. Kittle finished second in receptions and receiving yards on the afternoon for San Francisco, while also tying for runner-up status in targets. Kittle now has at least 70 receiving yards in three straight games, affording him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Seahawks next Sunday.

Strange caught seven of eight targets for 95 yards in Sunday's 22-17 win over the Bengals.

Cincinnati annually plays bad defense against opposing tight ends, and Strange was able to take advantage of the clean matchup by leading the team in targets, catches and receiving yards Sunday. An every-down tight end in Jacksonville's potent offense, he's a weekly fringe TE1/2 headed into next Sunday's game against the Eagles. On the season, Strange has 14 catches for 167 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets.

Mayer caught eight of 10 targets for 82 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.

Mayer led the Raiders in catches while finishing four receiving yards and one target shy of Brock Bowers' team-high totals. Kirk Cousins has relied heavily on his tight ends in the passing game, and even third-stringer Ian Thomas got in on the fun with a 27-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Bowers will continue to lead the position group in Week 5 against the Patriots, but Mayer remains an integral part of Vegas' offense as well.