NFL Player News

Kelce (coach's decision) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers.

Kelce was limited in all three of Kansas City's practices this week but approached the contest without an injury designation. However, with the Chiefs locked into the No. 3 seed in the the AFC playoffs, the star tight end will end up being rested Sunday along with other key starters such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In his absence, Noah Gray and Blake Bell are slated to serve as the team's tight ends. Kelce will finish the 2023 campaign with 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns over 15 games, spelling an end to his streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

LaPorta was carted to the locker room with a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Vikings, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Near the end of the first half, LaPorta appeared to hyperextend his knee while making a five-yard catch. He remained on the turf for a spell before making his way to the sideline with a visible limp. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but if he's unable to return, LaPorta will finish Week 18 with five catches (on seven targets) for 29 yards and one touchdown.

Tremble injured his back during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Prior to his exit just before halftime, Tremble had two catches (on two targets) for 11 yards. He thus extended his streak with at least one reception to 11 games, but his cumulative line during that span is just 22-177-3 on 31 targets.

Schultz caught five of seven targets for 42 yards in Saturday's 23-19 win over Indianapolis in Week 18.

Schultz had the second-most targets behind Nico Collins (nine) on a day when the Texans operated without three injured wideouts. The tight end has been important all season and could continue as a prominent target in the postseason. However, Schultz will have more competition for quarterback C.J. Stroud's attention if Noah Brown (back) and/or Robert Woods (hip) are available next week.

Bryant was spotted warming up as Cleveland's starting tight end ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Though top tight end David Njoku is active for the contest, he and several other Browns starters are expected to be rested for all or most of the Week 18 contest while Cleveland is already locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Given that Njoku wasn't warming up with the first-team offense, he looks like he's being viewed as more of an emergency option Sunday while Bryant and Jordan Akins play nearly all the snaps at tight end. Through 16 games this season, Bryant has recorded 13 catches for 81 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets.

Kieft (shoulder) is active Sunday against the Panthers.

Kieft missed the Buccaneers' Week 17 matchup with the injury, but he'll return to action in the team's regular-season finale, as they attempt to wrap up an NFC South championship.

Rader (hip) is not among Tennessee's inactives for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Jacksonville.

Rader was questionable coming into Sunday due to a hip injury, but his outlook was optimistic after he logged a full practice session Friday. The fourth-year tight end will indeed be able to suit up in Tennessee's final game of the 2023 campaign, though he's unlikely to make much of an impact on offense. Rader has drawn only one target, which he caught for a six-yard gain, through 13 contests this season.

Brown (ribs) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Brown, who practiced in a limited fashion this past week, approached the contest listed as questionable, but he'll be able to give it a go in the Patriots' season finale. With Hunter Henry (knee) sidelined Sunday, Mike Gesicki and Brown are slated to lead the team's Week 18 TE corps, but Brown hasn't caught more than two passes in any of the 16 games that he's suited up for this season, so he's only a fantasy option in the deepest of formats.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Smith's first season in Cincinnati has come to a close, and he was able to catch 18 of his 26 targets for 115 yards and one touchdown across 12 games. The Bengals are expected to roll with Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox as their three tight ends in Week 18.

Johnson (chest) is active for Sunday's game versus the Falcons.

Johnson spent some time on the sideline last Sunday in Tampa Bay due to a shoulder injury but was able to finish the contest. As the Saints kicked off Week 18 prep, he was listed as a non-participant due to a chest issue Wednesday, but he capped it with back-to-back limited sessions before entering the weekend as questionable. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday morning that Johnson was slated to suit up, which has been confirmed upon the team posting its list of inactives. Johnson will look to keep up his recent hot streak against an Atlanta defense that has given up the sixth-most catches (90) to opposing tight ends in 16 games this season.