NFL Player News

Okonkwo recorded two receptions (on two targets) for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Bears.

Okonkwo's role was reportedly in danger due to a challenge from Josh Whyle throughout training camp, though he was on the field for 38 offensive snaps (59 percent). Okonkwo also accounted for one of the Titans touchdowns on an impressive 17-yard leaping grab in the back of the end zone. He still isn't likely to see a significant number of targets on a regular basis, but he remains Tennessee's top tight end and could be a favorite target in the red zone.

Fant caught two of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Broncos.

While it was a difficult outing for Fant individually, the Seahawks struggled in the air overall, totaling just 171 yards. He's the clear No. 1 tight end, but he's probably fourth in the pecking order when it comes to targets, sitting behind WRs DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Fant will look to bounce back Week 2 against the Patriots.

Farrell played 14 offensive snaps and didn't receive a target during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.

Evan Engram was the only Jaguars tight end to be involved in the passing game in the season opener. Farrell tallied career highs in catches (13) and receiving yards (155) last season, and he should continue to see occasional snaps as a blocking option.

Alie-Cox did not have a reception and was targeted just once in Sunday's loss to Houston.

Alie-Cox got the start at tight end, but he's almost exclusively a blocking tight end these days as he went out on just seven routes among his 18 snaps on offense. Kylen Granson played more snaps (25) but also had just one target. With the Colts using a more vertical passing attack than last season, none of the Colts' tight ends may get significant targets.

Granson did not have a reception and was targeted just once in Sunday's loss to Houston.

Granson played on 25 of the offense's 45 snaps but went out on just 13 routes, per Pro Football Focus. Mo Alie-Cox got the start at tight end but also had one target. With the Colts using a more vertical passing attack than last season, none of the Colts' tight ends may get significant targets.

Stover went untargeted over 15 snaps in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Colts in Week 1.

Stover operated as the Texans' third tight end behind Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan. That should be the case going forward for Stover, who made the final roster after Teagan Quitoriano (calf) got injured during the preseason.

Jordan caught one of two targets for three yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Colts in Week 1.

Jordan was allotted a healthy 40 snaps in the season opener, which matches his snap count for the first five games of 2023. There are too many preferred targets ahead of him, including starting tight end Dalton Schultz, for Jordan's increased run to make a difference at this time. It does, however, indicate a certain level of confidence from the coaching staff. Jordan is looking to build off last season's second half and playoff experience, when he caught 12 of 16 targets for 19.6 yards per reception and two touchdowns over eight games.

Firkser was elevated from the Jets' practice squad to the active roster Monday.

Firkser joined the team's practice squad after failing to make their 53-man roster during training camp. The veteran's promotion comes as a bit of a surprise with three tight ends already on the active roster, although it's not guaranteed he'll be active for Monday's game against the 49ers.

Bellinger caught his only target for three yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

Bellinger was listed as New York's No. 1 tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart during the preseason and split first-team reps with rookie Theo Johnson throughout training camp, but he was clearly behind Johnson in the pecking order Sunday. While Bellinger logged just 16 offensive snaps (23 percent of the team's total), Johnson tallied 61 (86 percent), and even Chris Manhertz (20 offensive snaps) was on the field more often than Bellinger. Manhertz played primarily in two-TE sets and does most of his work as a blocker, so he's not a threat to Bellinger's playing time, but for the time being it appears that the Giants prefer Johnson as the starter over Bellinger at the position.

Johnson caught one of four targets for 18 yards against Minnesota in Sunday's Week 1 loss.

It was a rough game for New York's offense as a whole, and Johnson played a part in that, as he dropped two potential catches in the first half and was missed by QB Daniel Jones on another play despite getting open. The pair did connect on an 18-yard pass in the fourth quarter, and the positive news for Johnson's outlook moving forward is that he logged 61 offensive snaps (86 percent of the team's total). That seems to put him ahead of Daniel Bellinger (16 offensive snaps) and Chris Manhertz (20, primarily in two tight-end sets) in the pecking order at the position, though Johnson will likely need to do a better job of helping the offense in order to maintain that status.