NFL Player News

Hooper caught seven of nine targets for 45 receiving yards during Sunday's 28-22 overtime win against Tampa Bay.

Though his yardage output was well below his pre-existing season average of 61.8 receiving yards per game, Hooper collected seven catches for a second consecutive outing during Sunday's finale. The 25-year-old tight end found himself in firm competition for a second consecutive Pro Bowl bid through 10 weeks of the 2019 campaign, but a knee issue subsequently sidelined him for three games, and his production during his first two games back from the injury amounted to just five catches for 52 yards. Hooper rebounded over the final two weeks of the year, however, providing him with additional leverage as he transitions into his first opportunity at free agency during the 2020 offseason.

Saubert caught a 10-yard pass in the Bears' 21-19 victory over the Vikings in Week 17, and he finished the season with two receptions for 21 yards in two games.

With the Bears having suffered numerous injuries at tight end, Saubert was able to earn playing time at the end of the year, though his fantasy impact was minimal. He's signed through next season, though he'll likely be battling for a roster spot during training camp.

Holtz wasn't targeted in the Bears' 21-19 win over the Vikings in Week 17, and he ended the campaign with seven catches for 91 yards in 13 games.

When the Bears suffered injuries to their top-three tight ends, Holtz was thrust into a prominent role down the stretch, but he averaged fewer than two receptions over six games. He'll be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, and it's likely he'll look to compete for a backup role wherever he signs.

Horsted posted no statistics in the Bears' 21-19 win over the Vikings in Week 17, and he finished the season with eight receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in five games.

Horsted moved into a prominent role over the last six weeks of the season when the Bears lost their top-three tight ends to injuries. During that time, he had one game with more than 20 yards while averaging two targets per contest. He'll enter the last year of his contract with the Bears in 2020, and he'll be expected to compete for a roster spot, though it's unlikely he'll carry much fantasy value unless he soars up the depth chart.

Andrews (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Andrews missed two practices this week due to a sore ankle, making it an easy decision for the Ravens to hold him out of a regular-season finale where nothing is at stake. With the Ravens having already clinched the No. 1 seed, coach John Harbaugh plans to rely heavily on his reserve players in Week 17. Expect the duo of Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle to absorb all of Andrews' snaps at tight end.

Knox (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

As is running back Devin Singletary, as well as wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley, with the Bills resting several key players Sunday due to their playoff seeding being locked in.

Brown (illness) is inactive Week 17 against Cincinnati.

Brown was a late addition to Friday's injury report due to illness, and that will be at least one of the factors keeping him off the active roster for the sixth consecutive week. Fellow tight end Ricky Seals-Jones overcame an illness of his own to suit up this week, while David Njoku is back on the roster as well after being a healthy scratch in consecutive weeks.

Seals-Jones (illness) is active Week 17 against Cincinnati.

Seals-Jones was one of several Cleveland players battling an illness this week, and while it cost him a few practice sessions, he'll end up on the active roster for the regular-season finale. Another factor is in play this week in terms of the target share at the position, however, as David Njoku will return from back-to-back healthy scratches and re-join the active roster, with Demetrius Harris -- the snap leader in back-to-back weeks -- on hand as well.

Njoku is listed as active Week 17 against Cincinnati.

Njoku is undoubtedly disappointed in how this season ended, as he rehabbed from a wrist injury for 11 weeks only to make a limited return Week 14 and end up a healthy scratch for the two games after that. He'll get a chance to end his season on a high note in the finale, though Njoku will be part of a position group that includes Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones, the latter which overcame an illness to suit up this week.

Ertz (rib/back), who won't play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Giants, could be available for the wild-card round if the Eagles clinch a playoff spot in Week 17, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport relays that in addition to playing through a cracked rib in the Eagles' crucial Week 16 win over the Cowboys, Ertz also suffered a lacerated kidney that hospitalized him after the game. The tight end was also listed with a more minor back issue on the Eagles' official injury report this week, and the trio of injuries unsurprisingly kept him from practicing with the team Wednesday through Friday. It's far from a lock that Ertz will be ready to play by next weekend, and he would likely be less than 100 percent healthy if he does, but the Eagles aren't preparing to shut him down yet.