NFL Player News

Firkser hauled in just one of his four targets for seven yards in the team's Week 15 loss to the Texans.

Firkser saw four targets for the third time in his past four games, but was unable to repeat his usual efficiency. Instead, his lone reception came early in the second quarter, when he hauled in a short reception over the middle. With the steady emergence of A.J. Brown and the continued involvement of Jonnu Smith, Firkser isn't likely to be heavily involved in the team's final two contests of the regular season.

Hooper caught three of six targets for 20 receiving yards during Sunday's 29-22 win against San Francisco.

The 2018 Pro Bowl tight end found himself on pace for 100 receptions, 1,080 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through the first 10 weeks of the season, but since suffering a sprained MCL against New Orleans on Nov. 10 he has compiled just five catches for 52 yards in appearances over the past two weeks. Though he is an electrifying receiving threat when healthy and did almost reel in a fourth-quarter touchdown grab, Hooper's limited production in his first two games back from injury devalue his outlook. Hooper will have a prime opportunity to rebound against Jacksonville in Week 16 as the Jaguars' defense has surrendered the third-most TE touchdowns thus far in 2019.

Higbee caught 12 of 14 targets for 111 yards in Sunday's 44-21 loss to the Cowboys.

The tight end continued his late-season breakout, hauling in over 100 receiving yards for the third straight game after managing only 212 yards through the Rams' first 10 contests. Even if Gerald Everett (knee) makes it back into the lineup for one or both of the club's final two games, it seems highly unlikely that Higbee will fade back into the woodwork given the chemistry he's showing with Jared Goff. He'll try to keep things rolling next Saturday against a 49ers defense that held Austin Hooper to three catches for 20 yards in Week 15.

Waller caught eight of 10 targets for 122 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Jaguars.

In the Raiders' final game in Oakland, the tight end led the team in catches, targets and yards, a fitting tribute to past franchise greats like Dave Casper and Todd Christensen. Waller topped 1,000 receiving yards on the season with his final grab, becoming only the second TE in the club's history to accomplish that feat -- Christensen did it three times between 1983 and 1986. Waller will take aim at Christensen's franchise record 1,247 yards over the final two games, including next Sunday's road clash with a Falcons defense that just saw George Kittle rack up 134 yards against it in Week 15.

Kittle hauled in 13 of 17 targets for 134 receiving yards during Sunday's 29-22 loss to the Falcons.

After managing just eight catches for 84 yards in outings against Baltimore and New Orleans the past two weeks, Kittle commanded more than half of San Francisco's targets versus Atlanta and accounted for over 65 percent of the 49ers' receiving production. During his dominant Week 15 effort, Kittle also surpassed Mike Ditka for the most receiving yards by a tight end across his first three NFL seasons, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. He remains an elite tight end play heading into a matchup against a Rams defense that surrendered six combined receptions, 76 yards and a touchdown to Dallas tight ends Sunday.

Fant caught two of three targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss in Kansas City. He injured his right shoulder during the contest, but X-rays were negative and he "should be fine," Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

The Broncos were completely off-kilter on offense during the first half when, facing fourth and short, Fant blocked the edge and then released upfield for a 43-yard reception to set up Denver's lone score of the game. Fant hasn't always been consistent, but his big-play ability has been undeniable this season. His 15.7 yards per catch ranks best among tight ends in the league. He's now nursing foot, hip and shoulder injuries, but he remains an intriguing play down the stretch as the season's final two opponents, Detroit and Oakland, rank 32nd and 31st in the league, respectively, in passing plays of 20 or more yards surrendered this season.

Thomas caught two of four targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Seahawks.

Although Thomas started in the absence of Greg Olsen (concussion) in a favorable matchup on paper, he simply wasn't used often enough to make much of an impact. The lack of production was especially frustrating for fantasy managers who scooped Thomas up after he received 10 targets a week ago. Even if the second-year pro receives another starting nod next Sunday against the Colts, this outing illustrates the risk associated with starting him in fantasy lineups.

Seals-Jones was forced out of Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a shoulder injury, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Seals-Jones was in line for increased duties with David Njoku serving as a healthy scratch, and he executed against his former team, hauling in three passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns. The 24-year-old Seals-Jones' fantasy value the rest of the season relies on his health and whether Njoku returns to the lineup.

Goedert caught five of six targets for 55 yards in Sunday's 37-27 win over the Redskins.

Philadelphia's backup tight end continues to play a sizable role in the offense with all of the team's injuries at the wide receiver position. Goedert has now totaled at least three receptions in each of his past nine games, and this was his third time topping 50 yards in that stretch.

Smith caught all five of his targets for 60 yards and picked up 57 yards on his lone rush attempt during a 24-21 loss to Houston on Sunday.

Smith lined up behind Ryan Tannehill on the Titans' opening snap of the fourth quarter and peeled off a 57-yard gain on a toss play to the right, the longest run by a tight end in 43 years. Prior to Sunday there had only been three occasions all season in which a tight end had broken 20 miles per hour as a ball carrier, but Smith was able to achieve that feat two times Week 15 while gaining 17-plus yards on three of his six offensive touches. In Tennessee's upcoming Week 16 matchup against New Orleans, Smith will be in search of his second touchdown in three games, taking on a Saints defense that has surrendered just three TDs to opposing tight ends all season.