NFL Player News

Bell reeled in five of his nine targets for 26 yards and a touchdown during the 2023 regular season.

Bell provided a serviceable backup veteran tight end for the Chiefs in 2023, but he sat clearly behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray in the pecking order. Belldozer's contract expires following the season, so it wouldn't be shocking if the 31-year-old looks into the open market for another spot in 2024 after three seasons with the Chiefs. Bell has tallied no more than 11 receptions in a season since his rookie year, so he's not a fantasy asset to consider next season, regardless of the uniform he dons.

Gray finished the 2023 regular season with 28 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns on 41 targets.

While Gray didn't take a step back this season, he didn't really leap forward offensively either, essentially matching his numbers from a season ago. Travis Kelce turns 35 in October and is likely drawing closer to the end of his career, so the Chiefs' brass may evaluate this offseason whether Gray is the future of the tight end position in KC. Gray remains on his rookie deal through the 2024 campaign and will presumably continue to contribute in two-tight end sets next season, assuming the Chiefs don't pursue a tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft. Kelce has indicated he doesn't intend to retire anytime soon and remains under contract through 2025, so Gray doesn't have a clear path to upgraded playing time next season either.

Kalinic signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on Tuesday.

Kalinic will stay in the organization after spending time on the Rams' practice squad in 2023. With Tyler Higbee recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his knee, Kalinic could have an opportunity to win a 2024 roster spot in training camp.

Forristall signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on Tuesday.

Forristall spent the majority of the 2023 season on the Rams' practice squad. He'll compete for a roster spot in 2024 in a tight end room that could be without Tyler Higbee (knee) to begin the season after Higbee tore his ACL and MCL in the team's wild-card round loss to the Lions.

Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Higbee will require surgery to address a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

McVay mentioned that Higbee could be a candidate to start on the PUP list this summer, as the Rams haven't settled on a firm timeline for when the tight end might be ready to resume on-field work. Given the mid-January timing and severity of Higbee's injury, he could have difficultly gaining clearance for the start of training camp in late July, if not the start of the 2024 regular season entirely. Normally, recovery from a torn ACL entails a 6-to-9-month recovery timeline, but Higbee faces the additional hurdle of rehabbing from a MCL tear. Davis Allen, a 2023 fifth-round pick, could be in position to see additional offseason opportunities as long as Higbee remains absent while recovering from surgery.

Pruitt (knee) finished 2023 with nine receptions on 12 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown across 17 appearances.

Pruitt caught one or fewer passes in all but one game this season. He also secured just one touchdown after posting a career-high four scores in 2022. The veteran tight end, who's mostly known for his blocking prowess, was knocked out of the season finale due to a knee injury, and the extent of the issue remains unclear. The veteran is entering his age-32 season and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Smith finished the 2023 season with 50 receptions on 70 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances.

After recording a career-high eight touchdowns with the Titans in 2020, Smith landed a four-year deal from the Patriots. However, he struggled to replicate his production during two seasons in New England and was traded to Atlanta last offseason. Top tight end Kyle Pitts was healthy for the entire campaign, but Smith was still able to generate fantasy-relevant production on numerous occasions in 2023. Both tight ends will be in the final year of their respective contracts in 2024, and while Pitts has the higher upside, it's unclear how the Falcons' new regime will opt to utilize the duo.

Pitts finished the 2023 season with 53 receptions on 90 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances.

Pitts didn't turn in a Year 3 breakout, but he was at least consistent producer, securing multiple receptions in all but one game. Most importantly, Pitts played all 17 games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending MCL sprain in his right knee in Week 11 of the 2022 campaign. Many fantasy managers have abandoned hope of Pitts emerging as a top-tier tight end, but with a healthy offseason and a new coaching staff in place in 2024, the 2021 No. 4 overall pick may be primed to take a step forward during the final year of his rookie contract. However, Jonnu Smith, who flourished during his first campaign in Atlanta, remains under contract for 2024, so he could continue to siphon some targets and opportunities away from Pitts next season.

Higbee was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee following an MRI on Monday, ESPN.com reports.

Higbee suffered the devastating knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 24-23 wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Sunday, when he was on the receiving end of a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph. The 31-year-old tight end -- who finished the regular season with 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets over 15 games -- now will embark on an arduous rehab process that could extend into the start of the 2024 campaign. At the very least, Higbee won't be ready to participate in OTAs in the spring and could be hard-pressed to get cleared for the start of training camp in late July, given the 6-to-9-month recovery timeline typically associated with ACL surgeries.

Durham secured his only target for an 18-yard gain in the Buccaneers' 32-9 wild-card win over the Eagles on Monday night.

The reserve tight end made a habit of making good use of the few times the ball came his way during the regular season, and he continued that trend in his first career postseason contest. Durham now has six receptions for 76 yards on eight targets since his Week 6 pro debut, and the rookie fifth-round pick could potentially see at least a couple of opportunities during Sunday's road divisional-round matchup against the Lions.