NFL Player News

Otton secured eight of 11 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs on Monday night.

Otton led the Buccaneers across the board in receptions, receiving yards and targets, which was unsurprising given the Buccaneers were down all of Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin (IR, ankle) and Jalen McMillan (hamstring). Otton also recorded his fourth touchdown grab of the season on an 11-yard catch early in the third quarter, erasing a 10-7 deficit at the time. Otton now has at least eight catches and double-digit targets in three straight games, and even with a potential return for McMillan in Week 10, the third-year tight end should remain busy against the 49ers.

Whyle recorded one catch on two targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 20-17 overtime win against the Patriots.

Whyle was on the field for a season-low 10 offensive snaps, as Nick Vannett and Chigoziem Okonkwo both saw expanded roles. Whyle has 15 or fewer receiving yards in five of eight games on the campaign.

Vannett recorded two catches on two targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 overtime win against the Patriots.

Vannett has maintained around a 40.0 percent offensive snap rate in recent weeks, though his role is primarily as a blocker. That changed briefly early in Sunday's win, as he leaked off the line of scrimmage on a play-action pass and found the end zone from 10 yards away. It was his second touchdown of the season, though Vannett has also been held without a catch in four of eight contests.

Okonkwo recorded three catches (on four targets) for 38 yards in Sunday's 20-17 overtime win against the Patriots.

Okonkwo was on the field for a season-high 74 percent of offensive snaps, and he translated that into a relatively productive performance. He accounted for most of his yardage on a 21-yard gain late in the third quarter, which came off of a double reverse flea-flicker. Okonkwo also dropped a pass in the end zone that resulted in a pick, but his involvement in the offense still has ticked up with Mason Rudolph under center, as he's commanded at least four targets in all three of his starts.

Barner caught four of seven targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to the Rams.

Top tight end Noah Fant (groin) was inactive, leading to Barner handling a 91.0 percent snap share. Barner was clearly part of the game plan but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. The Seahawks are on bye in Week 10 and Fant could remain out in Week 11 versus the 49ers, which would make Barner an intriguing deep-league option.

Jenkins reverted to the Eagles' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

The tight end played on 11 of 79 offensive snaps in Philadelphia's 28-23 win over the Jaguars on Sunday. Grant Calcaterra (73 snaps) and Jack Stoll (31 snaps) ranked ahead of Jenkins on the tight-end depth chart with Dallas Goedert (hamstring) and Albert Okwuegbunam (abdomen) still out. Jenkins also played eight snaps on special teams but did not record a stat.

Zylstra reverted to Detroit's practice squad Monday.

Zylstra played exclusively on special teams during Sunday's win versus Green Bay. He has now been elevated three times this season and would need to be signed to the active roster in order to be eligible to play again.

Likely (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The Ravens merely held a walkthrough Monday. It's a new injury for Likely, who had yet to miss a single practice rep all season through nine weeks. The Ravens have a quick turnaround this week ahead of a Thursday night date with the Bengals. If Likely is unable to go, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar would handle tight end duties, and Baltimore could opt to use more three-wide sets with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and newcomer Diontae Johnson.

Johnson caught three of six targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 9 loss to Washington.

Johnson finished second on New York in both targets (six) and receiving yards (51), and each mark was a new career high. The rookie also notched his first NFL touchdown in the defeat, catching a 35-yard pass down the seam with under three minutes remaining in the game. Johnson's production has been on the upswing -- after tallying just three catches over his first four contests, he's recorded at least three catches in four of his subsequent five games. Johnson did fail to reel in multiple catchable passes Sunday, but he's showing enough promise to take a stronghold on the No. 1 tight end role for the 2-7 Giants.

Parkinson failed to record a target while playing 32 snaps on offense during Sunday's 26-20 overtime victory against the Seahawks.

Both Hunter Long and Davis Allen recorded a catch and were on the field for the majority of the second half, with Allen actually leading the tight end group in snaps played. Parkinson's role has been steadily decreasing since he took the field for 100 percent of snaps Week 3, and the Rams seem content in mixing in their trio of tight ends while waiting for Tyler Higbee (knee) to make his return. The Dolphins defense, which gave up a monster game to Trey McBride (9-124-0) in Week 8, is next up for Parkinson in a Week 10 Monday night contest. Given recent usage, however, it will be hard to trust the veteran tight end in lineups.