NFL Player News

Ertz caught all five of his targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys.

Ertz caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota to put the Commanders ahead 10-9 in the third quarter. After scoring only once through Week 10, Ertz compiled six touchdowns in his last seven games to create substantial momentum ahead of the wild-card round of the playoffs, in which Washington will face either the Rams or Buccaneers. Ertz finishes his 12th NFL regular season with 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets.

Conklin (calf) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Dolphins.

The veteran tight end got in only a limited Friday practice this past week, but he'll be available in his usual No. 1 tight-end role versus the Dolphins as the Jets aim to play spoiler for Miami's thin playoff hopes. Conklin needs only one reception to hit the 50-catch mark for the fourth straight season, including a third consecutive in as many Jets seasons.

Kelce (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Kelce didn't miss any practice time this week, but with the Chiefs having already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed heading to regular-season finale, he'll be rested along with several other key players on both sides of the ball. Noah Gray and Peyton Hendershot will be the Chiefs' available options at tight end in Week 18.

Kittle (ankle/hamstring) is listed as active Sunday in Arizona, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Kittle has been a regular on 49ers practice reports this season, with ankle and hamstring injuries capping him to a pair of limited sessions during Week 18 prep. He'll avoid missing his third game of the season Sunday, but he won't be working with No. 1 QB Brock Purdy (elbow). Instead, Joshua Dobbs will be under center, while Kittle will be taking on a Cardinals defense that allowed him to go for 8-64-1 on 12 targets back in Week 5.

Hooper is expected to start at tight end Sunday against the Bills with Hunter Henry (foot) inactive for the contest, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

Henry's absence leaves the Patriots with Hooper, Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover as their available options at tight end. The 30-year-old Hooper is by far the most experienced option of the trio, though he's on an expiring contract, and the 3-13 Patriots may not be keen on giving a starter's workload in the season finale. Hooper enters Sunday's game having produced a 41-449-3 line on 53 targets through 16 appearances.

Otton (knee) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 game against the Saints, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Otton will thus miss his third consecutive game as a result of the knee injury. The Buccaneers will enter the postseason as the NFC South champion with a victory over the Saints on Sunday, so the hope will be that Otton is recovered sufficiently to participate in a wild-card matchup next weekend. In the meantime, Payne Durham and Devin Culp will once again serve as the top pass-catching options at tight end for the Buccaneers after combining for a 5-88-1 line in a Week 17 win over the Panthers.

Okonkwo is active for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Okonkwo popped up on the injury report in the middle of the week, and there was some concern about his status after he failed to practice Friday. However, he'll be set to suit up and has seen increased involvement in the Tennessee offense to close the season, commanding a combined 28 targets across his last three games. With Tyler Boyd (foot) sidelined, Okonkwo should have a better chance of maintaining his elevated role.

Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers.

The veteran tight end practiced in limited fashion throughout the week, but Johnson, who's also played through a foot injury recently, will suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale. Johnson enters the divisional clash against the Buccaneers already sporting a new career high in receptions (44) and is coming off a game in which he produced a season-best 6-66 line on 10 targets against the Raiders in Week 17 while working with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who'll once again be under center Sunday in place of Derek Carr (hand).

Henry (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bills.

After being listed as limited at practice this past week, Henry carried a 'questionable' designation into the weekend. With Henry sidelined for the Patriots' season finale, Austin Hooper is available to lead a Week 18 tight-end corps that also includes Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover. Henry, who is under contract with New England through the 2026 campaign, thus concludes his fourth year with the franchise with a receiving line of 66/674/2 on 97 targets in 16 games.

Gesicki secured eight of 10 targets for 68 yards in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night.

Gesicki finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets behind Ja'Marr Chase, as Tee Higgins' early exit due to an ankle injury helped boost the veteran tight end's involvement. Gesicki finished the regular season with a combined 18-154 line on 22 targets over the last two games, and his final 65-665-2 tally across 17 regular-season games featured his best catch and yardage totals since his 2021 season with Dolphins. If the Bengals are able to squeak into the postseason with a Broncos loss and Dolphins loss or tie Sunday, Gesicki figures to remain a solid complementary component of the air attack irrespective of Higgins' availability.