NFL Player News

Paulsen caught both of his targets, logging 19 receiving yards during a 22-19 loss to Dallas on Sunday.

The veteran tight end made an impressive play in the third quarter, catching a pass short left from Matt Ryan, breaking a tackle and waltzing 13 yards for a first down. Paulsen now has four catches over the past two outings, his most in consecutive games since Weeks 4 and 5 of the 2014 season. Next comes a Thanksgiving night showdown with New Orleans, as the Falcons' playoff hopes lay in dire straits. Paulsen himself has a challenging matchup, facing a Saints defense that entered the weekend allowing just 361 receiving yards to tight ends in 2018 (fifth-fewest in the NFL).

Smith hauled in six of eight targets for 44 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Colts.

Though Smith could not extend his touchdown streak to three games, he set a new career-best mark in both targets and receptions. He appears to be in the midst of a breakout, though his success in the two weeks prior to this game were driven exclusively by his ability to find the end zone. It's unclear who the quarterback for the Titans will be in Week 12 against the Texans, but Smith saw four targets each from Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert. While it would almost certainly be better for Smith's potential production if Mariota (stinger) were able to return for next week's action, his role in the offense Sunday suggested that he could emerge in the later portion of the season.

Hooper hauled in four of eight targets, picking up 27 receiving yards during Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Cowboys.

Hooper endured a ho-hum performance against a Cowboys defense that's struggled at defending the position in 2018 (entered Week 11 allowing the fifth-most tight end receptions). The third-year man was held under 40 yards for the first time since Week 4, while tying his worst catch rate of the season at 50 percent. Outside of three monstrous showings -- a combined 28 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Cleveland -- Hooper has averaged 3.1 catches and fewer than 35 receiving yards per game. Next comes a Thanksgiving night matchup against a Saints defense that ranks among the NFL's three worst teams with over 295 passing yards allowed per game .

Hewitt (ankle) was ruled out for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Hewitt was able to return to practice as a limited participant Thursday, but will have to look toward Week 12 for his potential return. Mo Alie-Cox is set to serve as the Colts' No. 3 tight end behind Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron, since Erik Swoope (knee) was also ruled out.

Kroft underwent season-ending foot surgery Friday and will be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kroft missed the Bengals' past four games due to a fractured right foot and had yet to resume practicing since suffering the injury. His limited progress prompted the Bengals to send him in for the procedure, making Kroft the team's fourth tight end to land on IR this season. Cincinnati signed linebacker Brandon Bell off its practice squad to take Kroft's spot on the 53-man roster.

Graham was diagnosed with a broken thumb Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Packers have yet to reveal a timetable for the tight end's return.

Graham exited Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Seahawks early with the injury, finishing the day with one reception for 13 yards across 21 offensive snaps. X-rays after the contest confirmed that Graham fractured a bone in the thumb, an injury that could compromise his ability to catch passes. Once Graham undergoes some additional scans, the Packers should have a clearer picture of how much time he might miss. Due to playing in the early game this week, Green Bay will have nine full days off until its next contest Nov. 25 in Minnesota. The remaining three healthy tight ends on the roster -- Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan -- would all likely benefit from slight upticks in snaps if Graham is in fact forced to miss game action.

Kroft (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kroft has yet to resume practicing since fracturing his right foot Oct. 7 against the Dolphins, so it comes as little surprise that he'll be sidelined for a fifth straight game. With Kroft out of the picture for another week, Matthew Lengel is expected to act as the top backup to starting tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has been handling the overwhelming share of the offensive snaps at the position for more than a month.

Lewis played 10 snaps in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Seahawks but didn't draw any targets.

Lewis caught a pass in both of the previous two games but was shut out in the box score in Week 11. While the 34-year-old has worked as the Packers' third tight end all season, his role could grow if the thumb injury that fellow tight end Jimmy Graham suffered Thursday forces an absence. Lance Kendricks would be first in line to replace Graham in the starting lineup in such a scenario, while Lewis would likely serve as Kendricks' top understudy.

The thumb injury Graham suffered in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Seahawks is "feared to be serious," Mike Silver of NFL.com reports.

Few details regarding Graham's setback have been revealed, but he was not able to return to the contest after suffering the injury and it appears he could miss more time. Those with Graham on their fantasy squads will at least want to start considering other options at tight end. If Graham's injury does indeed cost him more action, all three of Green Bay's other tight ends -- Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan -- would have a chance to be more involved on offense.

Vannett caught one of two targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 27-24 win over the Packers.

Vannett's one reception landed him a yard short of the goal line and running back Chris Carson punched it in on the next play. This marked the third time in four games Vannett logged just one catch, a trend that places him on the fringe in most fantasy formats.