NFL Player News
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George Kittle TE | SF
49ers' George Kittle: Nabs four receptions in MNF win
Kittle corralled four of five targets for 40 yards in Monday's 32-19 win over the Jets.
Kittle finished as San Francisco's third leading receiver on a night where the passing attack was only needed for 225 yards and no touchdowns. All things considered, the star tight end had a solid game given the opportunities present. The rushing attack shined against the Jets on Monday, producing 180 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts. Kittle and the 49ers' passing attack will look to get into the scoring action themselves in a Week 2 matchup against the Vikings.
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Tyler Conklin TE | DET
Jets' Tyler Conklin: Just one catch on MNF
Conklin caught one of two targets for six yards in Monday's 32-19 loss to the 49ers.
Conklin came up empty on his lone target from Aaron Rodgers, but he caught a pass from backup Tyrod Taylor on the Jets' final possession after Rodgers went to the bench with the game out of reach. No other Jets tight end drew a target, so at least Conklin's safely atop the depth chart, but his lack of targets from Rodgers was disappointing considering Conklin had at least three catches in all but four games last season. Conklin will look to bounce back Week 2 against the Titans.
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Elijah Higgins TE | ARI
Cardinals' Elijah Higgins: Makes two catches Sunday
Higgins gathered in both of his targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 34-28 loss in Buffalo.
Higgins took a clear back seat to starting tight end Trey McBride in terms of targets (9-2) and offensive snaps (52-25), while rookie third-round pick Tip Reiman (zero targets on 20 snaps) also got in the mix. Higgins seems secure in his role as the No. 2 TE, especially as a receiver, as Reiman likely will be almost exclusively a blocking specialist to begin his career. Higgins has a streak of five multi-catch games going, dating back to last season, and he should remain a small part of the Cardinals offense.
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Josh Whyle TE | GB
Titans' Josh Whyle: Stuck in limited role
Whyle was not targeted in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Bears.
Whyle got moderate hype during training camp as he attempted to unseat Chigoziem Okonkwo as the top tight end in Tennessee. His usage in Week 1 made clear that didn't occur, as he saw only 18 offensive snaps (28 percent) while Nick Vannett earned 16. Whyle remains primarily a special-teams contributor.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | WAS
Titans' Chigoziem Okonkwo: Still has starting role
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.
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Noah Fant TE | NO
Seahawks' Noah Fant: Totals 11 yards against former team
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.
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Luke Farrell TE | SF
Jaguars' Luke Farrell: Minor role Week 1
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.
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Mo Alie-Cox TE | IND
Colts' Mo Alie-Cox: Minimal role on offense
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.
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Kylen Granson TE | TEN
Colts' Kylen Granson: No receptions in season opener
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.
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Cade Stover TE | HOU
Texans' Cade Stover: Third TE in opener
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.