NFL Player News

Kieft brought in one of five targets for a two-yard touchdown reception while playing in 16 regular-season and two postseason games for the Buccaneers in 2023.

Kieft once again served almost exclusively as a blocking tight end, but to an even greater extent than he did during his rookie 2022 campaign, when he posted a 7-80-1 receiving line on 10 targets. The 26-year-old's only stats from scrimmage came in the Buccaneers' Week 15 win over the Packers. Kieft should occupy the same role and continue to also contribute to multiple special-teams units during his third season with Tampa Bay in 2024.

Kittle (toe) was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

After head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Monday that Kittle was day-to-day with a toe issue in the aftermath of Sunday's win over the Lions in the NFC Championship Game, the tight end unsurprisingly wouldn't have mixed into drills had the 49ers held a session to begin Super Bowl prep. San Francisco is holding practices Thursday through Saturday before heading to Las Vegas on Sunday, so Kittle's listing on the team's next two injury reports will be monitored to see how he heads into the second week of prep for the big game. In the end, Kittle doesn't seem in danger of sitting out against the Chiefs on Feb. 11.

The Eagles signed Togiai to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Togiai will stay in Philadelphia, where he spent the entirety of last season on the practice squad. The 26-year-old was elevated for one game during the 2022 campaign but failed to record any stats and will likely spend the offseason competing for a roster spot.

The Ravens signed Washington to a reserve/future contract Monday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The 2023 season marked Washington's fourth out of Wake Forest, but he's appeared in just one career contest, playing 22 offensive snaps in one game for the Patriots last season. He spent parts of this season with the Patriots, Steelers and Ravens.

Hockenson (knee) underwent successful ACL surgery Monday.

Hockenson's season ended when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 26. Given how late in the season his injury occurred, the star tight end is presumably in danger of not being ready for the start of the 2024 season. He now will move forward with the rehab process as the offseason gets underway.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kittle will be day-to-day this week due to a toe injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle had more offensive snaps (64 of 66) than any 49ers skill-position player not named quarterback Brock Purdy during Sunday's win against the Lions in the NFC Championship Game. Having said that, Kittle wasn't utilized much as a pass catcher, as he hauled in just two of three targets for 27 yards, while Deebo Samuel (nine targets), Brandon Aiyuk (eight) and Christian McCaffrey (five) dominated Purdy's attention. Kittle now will contend with a health concern as San Francisco prepares for Super Bowl LVIII versus the Chiefs, but he'll have nearly two weeks to get healthy before that game kicks off Sunday, Feb. 11.

Kittle had two receptions on three targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 34-31 win over Detroit in the NFC Championship Game.

Kittle essentially had one big catch for 28 yards after his second catch went for a loss of one yard. The star tight end falls victim to these low-usage games from time to time given the surplus of playmaking talent the 49ers boast on offense. While it didn't have an impact on his fantasy score, Kittle was able to secure the Lions' onside kick attempt in the waning moments of Sunday's win to send his team to Las Vegas to take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

LaPorta recorded nine receptions (on 13 targets) for 97 yards in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the 49ers.

LaPorta led the team in targets, receptions and yards, and it was also his second consecutive contest with nine receptions and double-digit targets. Though he didn't find the end zone, LaPorta was a consistent big-play threat as he recorded a pair of catches for 16 yards, and two more of his receptions went for double-digit gains. It was a strong close to an impressive rookie season, and LaPorta should be a strong second option in Detroit's passing attack behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2024.

Kelce hauled in all 11 of his targets Sunday for 116 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs' 17-10 win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

Kelce hit the ground running with three receptions, including a 19-yard touchdown, on the Chiefs' first offensive possession Sunday. The star tight end would team up with Patrick Mahomes eight more times as the teammates proceeded to systematically dissect one of the top-rated defenses in the league. Kansas City's defense flexed its own muscles to close out the low-scoring victory and send Kelce and Co. to Las Vegas to face either the Lions or the 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 11 for Super Bowl LVIII.

Andrews (leg) secured both targets for 15 yards in the Ravens' 17-10 AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Andrews' remarkable recovery and return from a significant mid-November leg injury culminated in an underwhelming performance, with Lamar Jackson often facing pressure from the Chiefs' aggressive front and Andrews, along with the rest of Baltimore's pass catchers, struggling to get open. The fact the talented tight end managed to get healthy enough to suit up is certainly encouraging from a longer-term perspective, however, and Andrews is expected back next season, albeit with a hefty $16.9 million cap hit, in what will be the fourth year of a five-year deal that he signed before the 2021 season.