NFL Player News

Vannett snagged two of three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Vannett didn't catch more than two passes in a game over the second half of the season, although he hauled in two scores in that span. The Seahawks pass less than any team in the league, so a tight end like Vannett struggles to get looks with wideouts Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett in the fold. He'll work as the Seahawks' top tight end for Saturday's playoff game versus the Cowboys

McKever signed a futures contract with Jacksonville on Monday.

McKever didn't appear in a game as an undrafted rookie this year, but he'll now set his sights on 2019, when he'll have a chance to earn a depth tight end and special teams role with Jacksonville.

Everett failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 48-32 win over San Francisco.

After recording 14 receptions for 103 yards on 20 targets over the previous three weeks, this was a disappointing showing from Everett. However, a one-game disappearing act shouldn't override the progress the sophomore has made this season, especially since he also played more offensive snaps than fellow tight end Tyler Higbee for the second consecutive week. It's likely Everett's game-to-game inconsistency continues in 2019, but in his third season, there's also breakout potential.

Higbee secured his only target for a season-long, 36-yard reception during Sunday's 48-32 win over San Francisco.

Despite starting Sunday's game, Higbee played fewer snaps than fellow tight end Gerald Everett for the second consecutive week. There appears to be a changing of the guard at the position with Everett carving out a larger and more consistent role in the passing attack over the second half of the season. However, Higbee's blocking prowess will keep him on the field, and he is a capable receiver. It's just unlikely he makes a significant fantasy splash in the postseason.

Henry (knee) is expected to be activated from the PUP list and suit up in Sunday's AFC wild-card matchup with the Ravens, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

If Schefter's report comes to pass, it would mean that Henry needed just over seven months to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee, which he sustained during OTAs. The tight end resumed practicing with the Chargers on Dec. 17 and apparently hasn't experienced any setbacks since taking the field, leaving the team optimistic he'll be able to contribute in the postseason. Because of his extensive time off, Henry could be eased into game action with a limited snap count, with the Chargers presumably more inclined to use him in obvious passing situations. Henry's impending return could translate to a reduced role for Antonio Gates, who has served as the Chargers' top pass-catching tight end this season with 28 receptions for 333 yards and two scores on 45 targets.

Uzomah was held to one catch for six yards on his only target in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Uzomah ends the season with 44 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns. He took over when Tyler Eifert and then Tyler Kroft got hurt, but then his potential to produce more got crushed after Andy Dalton got hurt. It's uncertain what the Bengals plan to do with Eifert this offseason, which obviously impacts Uzomah.

Ertz caught three of four targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 24-0 win over the Redskins.

Ertz merely tied for fourth on the team in targets and didn't do much with the looks he did get, as his long gain went for just seven yards. He's failed to reach 40 receiving yards in three of the last four games, but it has still been an outstanding season overall. Ertz finishes the campaign with 116 catches for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns -- all of which represent career highs. The star tight end will face a tough matchup in next Sunday's wild-card round game against the Bears.

Hooper caught five of six targets, accounting for 67 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-32 win against the Buccaneers.

Hooper concluded his breakout 2018 campaign on a high note against Tampa Bay's porous secondary, producing his seventh five-plus reception performance of the year, and accounting for his greatest receiving output over his past 10 outings. Now entering the final season of his rookie contract, Hooper has proven capable of delivering low-end TE1 production, having finished fourth among tight ends in receptions (71) and obliterating career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns while operating as a reliable middle-of-the-field target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Pruitt hauled in both of his targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 33-17 loss the Colts.

Pruitt maintained his minimal role in the passing game even in the absence of Marcus Mariota, tying Luke Stocker for the team lead in targets among tight ends. Since Week 11, Pruitt has caught at least one pass in every game, though he has never surpassed 29 yards and hauled in only one score in that span. If he remains on the team in 2019 -- he's signed through next season -- Pruitt is unlikely to see any type of consistent role in the offense given that both Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith are good bets to return to health and retake their roles atop the tight end depth chart.

Kelce caught five passes (nine targets) for 62 yards in Sunday's 35-3 win over the Raiders.

It wasn't a huge fantasy performance by any means, but Kelce was able to set an NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,336. That record lasted for less than an hour, however, as 49ers tight end George Kittle had a monster second half and also took down Rob Gronkowski's record shortly after Kelce had. Even though he currently sits second on the all-time list, it's hard to find holes in the star tight end's 2018 regular season. Expect Kelce to be heavily involved in the gameplan regardless of opponent in the divisional round of the playoffs.