NFL Player News

Despite stepping up in Week 4 with his best game of the season -- seven catches for 54 yards in the first game since Nate Burleson was injured in an automibile accident -- Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew remains a frustratingly erratic Fantasy asset. 

While Pettigrew is capable of putting up anywhere from 15 to 115 receiving yards each week, the performances come without much warning and are hard to predict. And he has scored just three touchdowns since Christmas 2011. 

Pettigrew may have been the benficiary of passes that would have otherwise gone to Burleson. Or this could have been just another one of those weeks where he has 50-plus receiving yards and makes everyone hover over that green plus sign next to his name on the free agent wire a little too long for comfort. 

It's probably wise to assume the yardage was just the normal course of action for Pettigrew and leave him on the waiver wire. He needs to find the end zone and keep this up for a few weeks in a row before he's relevant again in 12-team leagues. 

A nagging calf injury has again prevented Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis from praticing on Thursday, the Florida Times-Union is reporting. Lewis returned from the same ailment Sunday against Indianapolis, but reinjured it in the first quarter and didn't return.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham will attempt to continue his strong start against the Bears Week 5. 

Graham is coming off arguably the best stretch of his career, and was the first ever tight end to be named the offensive player of the month. Graham has gone over 100 yards in each of the past three games, and could continue his streak against Chicago.

The Bears haven't been as successful against tight ends this season. They are allowing a below-average 6.5 receptions and 62 yards to opposing tight ends. They've been able to limit tight ends in the red zone, allowing just 1 touchdown to tight ends thus far. Graham is a freak of nature, however, and shouldn't be considered an average tight end. 

In one career game against the Bears, Graham hauled in 6 passes for 79 yards. He did not score a touchdown.

Unless they are blown away by a trade offer, the Jaguars are not looking to move any other big names ahead of the trade deadline.

After moving left tackle Eugene Monroe earlier in the week, trade rumors began coming up for some other big names. According to NFL.com, however, names like Maurice Jones-Drew, Marcedes Lewis and Justin Blackmon are not being actively shopped.

Of course, Monroe was not being actively shopped on the trading block before he was dealt, according to a separate NFL.com report. 

The Chiefs' top three tight ends all appear on Wednesday's injury report ahead of Sunday's game at Tennessee. Sean McGrath (knee) and Anthony Fasano (knee/ankle) were limited in practice, while Travis Kelce (knee) did not practice.

With Fasano and Kelce inactive Week 4, McGrath caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Giants.

Redskins tight end Logan Paulsen has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL, reports the Washington Post. Paulsen suffered the injury in the Week 4 win at Oakland.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham on Monday extended his touchdown streak to five games dating to last season. He caught two against the Dolphins, giving him six in four games this season.

After not being targeted in the first quarter, Graham elevated for a 27-yard scoring grab over rookie corner Jamar Taylor in the second quarter. In the third, Graham beat safety Chris Clemons down the seam for a 43-yard touchdown. 

Graham leads the NFL with four touchdowns on passes traveling at least 15 yards, one more than Victor Cruz.

Graham was targeted a season-low four times. He caught each for 100 yards, his third straight 100-yard game. He'll visit the Bears in Week 5.

Redskins tight end Logan Paulsen injured his knee in the win at Oakland and the team is awaiting MRI results, reports the Washington Post. Paulsen caught two passes for 46 yards but lost a fumble in the victory. 

He's one of three Redskins tight ends battling an injury, along with Jordan Reed (quad) and Fred Davis (ankle).

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis said Monday he's back to square one with his calf strain, according to The Florida Times-Union. Lewis made his season debut Sunday against the Colts after missing the first three games with a calf strain, but he didn't last long as he suffered a setback in the first quarter.

After managing just five catches in his first three games, Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew caught seven passes Sunday against the Bears and helped fill the void in the passing game because Nate Burleson is sidelined by a forearm injury.

"He's been a security blanket for me -- a guy that has been, a lot of times, five yards away from me, right in front of my face, and I've put some throws on him," quarterback Matthew Stafford said, per MLive.com. "He's taken some big hits and made some big plays for us. He did it again today."