NFL Player News

Smith was not targeted in the team's Week 12 win over the Jaguars. He did rush the ball once for four yards.

Smith was slated to be the top tight end, replacing the injured Delanie Walker (ankle). However, he failed to produce in any meaningful way. With Walker practicing in limited fashion all week, he may be able to return in Week 13 against the Colts, which would all but eliminate any chance for Smith to contribute.

Kittle (ankle) had six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-8 win over Green Bay.

Kittle had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury that included a broken bone, and while he was unlikely at full strength, the star tight end stole the show offensively. The 26-year-old had been the 49ers' most-consistent receiver prior to going down to injury, and he put it all together Sunday with his first game of 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown. Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned the bone spur in his tight end's ankle after the game, stating that the injury is likely to cause pain "for a while," according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Given his coach's statement, don't be surprised to find Kittle on the injury report leading up to games in the coming weeks, but this impressive showing should bode well for his fantasy owners heading into another heavyweight showdown against the Ravens on Sunday.

Hill secured his only target for no gain in the Saints' 34-31 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

New Orleans' triple-threat put up a donut in the box score in Sunday's win, seeing almost no action in the shootout win. Despite his involvement in the passing, rushing and receiving games, Hill has totaled just 30 combined yards over his last four games. He should be left on the waiver wire even in the deepest of leagues.

Fant caught three of five targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 20-3 loss in Buffalo.

Fant caught a quick 16-yard pass following a Justin Simmons interception to push the Broncos in the Bills territory. Brandon Allen sailed a pass six plays later to cough the ball back up. The Broncos weren't much of a threat for the remainder of the game. The luster of Week 9's win over the Browns has all but worn off by now and, though Fant has been targeted at least five times in four of his last five games and has made some big plays, his value is limited by the Broncos' quarterback situation. Next up is a Chargers defense that has been burned at times downfield this season.

Sternberger (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

With Robert Tonyan (hip) active for the first time since Week 5, Sternberger will watch this contest from the sidelines. The rookie third-rounder has played in two games since being activated from IR with an ankle injury, receiving no targets while logging a majority of his snaps on special teams.

Kittle (knee/ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Packers.

Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed Sunday morning that Kittle's ankle issue included a broken bone, which combined with his left knee concern sidelined him the last two games. Although Kittle is back in action, it wouldn't shock if he's more of a decoy or has a cap placed on his snap count by the coaching staff. No matter his workload, though, he's one of the most difficult covers in the NFL, regardless of position, and he gets to face a Packers defense that has given up 62.7 yards per game and five touchdowns to tight ends in 10 outings this season.

Tonyan (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

For the first time since Week 5, Tonyan will take the field with the Green and Gold. The tight end will continue working as a reserve behind Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis. Tonyan has posted four catches for 66 scoreless yards over his first five contests.

Horsted caught one pass for four yards in Chicago's 19-14 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Horsted was promoted from the practice squad for this contest, and he caught the only pass that was thrown in his direction. Even if he remains on the active roster, the Chicago offense has yet to have a tight end post 20 yards in a game, so don't expect Horsted to be a significant fantasy option in the near future.

Waller caught three of six targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 34-3 loss to the Jets.

The entire Raiders team laid an egg in this one, but at least Waller was able to eclipse 40 yards for the ninth time in 11 games. While the yardage has been there, the tight end remains stuck on three touchdowns this season, all of which were scored in a two-game stretch spanning Week 7 and Week 8. Waller should be more involved against the division-leading Chiefs in Week 13.

Gesicki secured three of seven targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' 41-24 loss to the Browns on Sunday.

The second-year tight end finally broke the scoring ice in his career Sunday, bringing in an 11-yard touchdown toss from Ryan Fitzpatrick early in the third quarter for the Dolphins' first touchdown of the game. Gesicki came into the NFL a season ago with a reputation as an above-average pass-catching tight end, but the Dolphins' quarterback issues have played a large part in the Penn State product's underwhelming numbers overall. Gesicki does seem to be building some momentum with at least three catches in four straight contests and will look to keep that streak going versus the Eagles in Week 13.