NFL Player News

Andrews finished his rookie season with 34 catches for 552 yards and three touchdowns on 50 targets.

It was an impressive first year from Andrews, especially considering how crowded Baltimore's tight end group was to begin the year. The Ravens already had two established tight ends and also drafted Hayden Hurst in the first round before scooping Andrews in the third. Andrews had light target volume overall but he made the most of his looks (11.0 YPT) and established himself as a real deep threat as he finished second on the team in catches of 20 or more yards (8) and catches of 40 or more yards (2). The advanced numbers on Andrews are positive as well; his air yards per game, team air yard share and average depth of target score above average among NFL tight ends. If the Ravens part ways with Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle in free agency, Andrews' role in the offense will only increase in 2019.

The Chargers won't activate Henry (knee) from the PUP list Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Thus, Henry won't be available for Sunday's wild-card game at Baltimore.

Since returning to practice Dec. 17, Henry has increased his practice reps slowly but surely in anticipation of completing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered on May 22. However, he won't take the field for the Chargers' playoff opener, which means his teammates will have to emerge victorious Sunday for him to have any shot to suit up in the divisional round or beyond. With Henry unavailable, the team will continue to trust in Virgil Green and Antonio Gates at tight end, at least for one more game.

Seals-Jones (neck) notched 34 receptions (on 69 targets) for 343 yards and one touchdown in 15 games during the 2018 season.

A lack of offensive personnel allowed Seals-Jones to rack up the third-most targets among Cardinals, but the quarterback trio of Josh Rosen, Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon brought the team to a last-place finish in just about every category, including passing yards per game and points per game. With nowhere to go but up as Rosen, a 2018 first-rounder, settles in as a pro, Seals-Jones stands to benefit alongside other building blocks like David Johnson and Christian Kirk (foot). Seals-Jones is an exclusive-rights free agent in the offseason, meaning he's beholden to whatever contract the team tenders him once the new league year begins March 13.

Njoku caught three of seven targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 26-24 finale loss to the Ravens.

Njoku finishes the 2018 season with 56 receptions for 639 yards to go along with four touchdowns. While those numbers are an improvement from his rookie season, the Miami Hurricane product dealt with inconsistency through much of the season and never was the red-zone threat many expected him to be. With that being said, he still possesses the talent to be a top-tier tight end in the league, and an entire offseason to work with Baker Mayfield should strengthen the duo's rapport.

Smythe caught three of four targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 42-17 loss to the Bills. He ends the season with six receptions for 50 yards.

Smythe led the Dolphins' tight ends in receiving during the season-finale, though his stats don't stand out. The 2018 fourth-round pick progressed well in his development through his rookie season, and even managed to overtake Nick O'Leary (listed as the No. 1 tight end on Miami's depth chart) in terms of offensive snaps during the last two games of the season. Likely to be primarily used as a blocker to pair with Mike Gesicki's receiving chops, Smythe is a key part of the Dolphins' plans for 2019 and beyond.

Waller hauled in all three of his targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 35-3 loss to the Chiefs.

Waller logged a season-high 15 offensive snaps during the Raiders' season finale behind starter Jared Cook, as the former totaled 75 yards on six catches in four contests with the silver and black in 2018. Waller would be inexpensive to keep on the roster in 2019, though he'll likely need to earn his spot with the Raiders expected to make an effort to re-sign Cook.

Coach Anthony Lynn said the Chargers haven't made a decision about Henry (knee) playing in Sunday's wild-card game in Baltimore but noted that the tight end will be on a "pitch count" if he suits up, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Henry seems to be closing in on a return from a torn ACL in near-record time, with an appearance Sunday marking a little more than seven and a half months from the initial injury. Before that comes to fruition, though, he'll have to activated from the PUP list. As a result, he didn't appear on Wednesday's practice report because he has yet to rejoin the 53-man roster. If he's cleared to play during the Chargers' postseason run, Henry will soak up some of the snaps that have gone to Virgil Green and Antonio Gates in his absence.

Hodges signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Hodges couldn't make the Steelers 53-man roster to begin the season and landed on their practice squad. The 2017 sixth-round pick had 48 catches for 691 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season at Virginia Tech but has yet to play in an NFL game. Hodges may see a spot open if Xavier Grimble moves on from Pittsburgh after the season, but Hodges won't have many opportunities with Vance McDonald and Jesse James under contract in 2019.

Lucas signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Lucas entered the league in 2014 but hasn't suited up for a game yet. The 49ers are his sixth team in that span. Even if he sticks with the team until Week 1 of the 2019 season, Lucas has a ceiling as a special-teams asset since second-year tight end George Kittle is a rising star who will command work on most pass-catching situations.

Swaim (wrist) will have his cast removed Thursday, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While he seems to be making good progress, Swaim isn't eligible to return this season even if the Cowboys make a deep playoff run. Blake Jarwin's Week 17 breakout locks him in as the team's top pass-catching threat at tight end.