NFL Player News

Sample failed to record a single target in Monday's 28-3 loss to the Broncos.

Despite fellow tight end Noah Fant (concussion) missing Monday's contest against the Broncos, Sample actually saw a decrease in playing time from Week 3. The veteran tight end played 22 of the Bengals' 48 offensive snaps, behind Mike Gesicki (27) and ahead of both Cam Grandy (4) and Tanner Hudson (1). Through four games, Sample has recorded just three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Based on his limited usage, the 29-year-old remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Lions.

Higgins went without a target while playing nine of the Cardinals' 67 snaps on offense in Thursday's 23-20 loss to the Seahawks.

After playing at least 30 percent of the offensive snaps in the first two contests of the season, Higgins has seen his role decline in the past two weeks. Tip Reiman handily out-snapped Higgins in the Week 3 loss to the 49ers, but both tight ends were on the field for fewer than 10 plays in Week 4 while the Cardinals made more use of three-receiver sets after trailing by double digits for much of the game. Since Reiman is regarded as the superior blocker of the two, expect him to be prioritized ahead of Higgins as the Cardinals' No. 2 tight end behind Trey McBride when Arizona follows more normal game scripts.

Gesicki caught his lone target for eight yards in Monday's 28-3 loss to the Broncos.

Gesicki led all Bengals tight ends in offensive snaps (27), playing ahead of teammates Drew Sample (22), Cam Grandy (4) and Tanner Hudson (1). The veteran tight end's increase in playing time came with teammate Noah Fant sidelined with a concussion. Through four games, the veteran tight end has recorded just six receptions for 46 scoreless yards. It remains to be seen if Fant will return to action for Cincinnati's next game, but Gesicki should be avoided for fantasy purposes either way, as the Bengals offense continues to struggle. The Bengals are set to host the Lions in Week 5.

Quitoriano went without a target while playing eight of 65 snaps on offense Sunday in the Falcons' 34-27 win over the Commanders.

Quitoriano has been active as the Falcons' No. 3 tight end through each of the first four games of the season but has seen just as much playing time on special teams as offense. He has yet to draw a target and will continue to function mostly as a blocker when he takes the field with the offense.

Likely failed to draw a target in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Chiefs.

Making his season debut after missing the Ravens' first three games while recovering from foot surgery, Likely played 25 of the Ravens' offensive snaps Sunday, just behind fellow tight end Mark Andrews (30). Though the 25-year-old Likely was a non-factor in Baltimore's aerial attack, Andrews drew a team-leading eight targets in the contest. Likely should certainly see his role grow as he gets acclimated coming off the injury, but his chances of making an impact Week 5 versus Houston could be inhibited with starting quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) at risk of missing the contest.

Trautman caught two of three targets for 32 yards in Monday's 28-3 win over the Bengals.

Trautman had another quiet day in Week 4; however, his 32 receiving yards accounted for his highest total of the season thus far. The veteran tight end played 42 of the Broncos' 81 offensive snaps, ahead of both Evan Engram (35) and Nate Adkins (34). Even so, Engram was predictably a much larger part of Denver's offensive plans, earning seven targets in the contest. Based on his lack of consistent usage in the passing game, Trautman remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Eagles.

Musgrave was targeted once and caught one pass for six yards in Sunday's 40-40 tie with the Cowboys.

It was more of the same for Musgrave, who heads into Green Bay's Week 5 bye with totals of four receptions for 42 yards. Tucker Kraft remains the man at the tight end position for the Packers.

Higbee (hip) was once again listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report following the Rams' walkthrough, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Higbee has now opened the week with back-to-back days in which he was considered unavailable. The tight end was able to play through his hip injury in the team's Week 4 win over the Colts, and he'll look to return to action in Wednesday's final practice session prior to Thursday's matchup with the 49ers.

Helm recorded one catch on one target for 12 yards in Sunday's 26-0 loss to the Texans.

Helm was on the field for a season-high 43 percent of offensive snaps, but that didn't translate to opportunity. This marked the first time that he failed to record multiple targets in a game this season, though he also hasn't earned more than three in any contest. Helm is a name to consider in deep dynasty leagues but is otherwise off the fantasy radar.

Okonkwo recorded one catch on three targets for four yards in Sunday's 26-0 loss to the Texans.

Cam Ward's struggles continued, as he completed only 38.5 percent of his passes while passing for 108 yards. No skill-position player on Tennessee's roster was able to excel as a result, and Okonkwo was no exception. The tight end leads the team in catches with 13 and is third in targets with 19, but that volume has resulted in only 124 receiving yards and zero TDs through four games.