NFL Player News
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John FitzPatrick TE | GB
Packers' John FitzPatrick: Exits locker room in walking boot
FitzPatrick, who injured his Achilles during an overtime loss to Chicago on Sunday, exited the locker room with a walking boot on his right foot after the game, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Achilles injuries tend to be more than minor, especially when they're the non-contact variety, as FitzPatrick's was. It's certainly not a good sign for FitzPatrick's availability moving forward that he left in a walking boot after Saturday's loss, though an official diagnosis may not be announced until after he undergoes further evaluation. Packers coach Matt LaFleur seemed to be resigned to having to look for another tight end to fill FitzPatrick's void for at least the short-term future, saying postgame, "I'm sure we have guys capable on our practice squad. We'll take a look at that and come up with a solution," per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com.
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Colston Loveland TE | CHI
Bears' Colston Loveland: Quiet showing against Packers
Loveland recorded three receptions on four targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 22-16 overtime win over the Packers.
Loveland was expected to take on an even larger role in Chicago's offense due to both Luther Burden (ankle) and Rome Odunze (foot) being sidelined. However, he instead tied for third on the team in targets and finished fourth in yardage. While it was a modest showing, Loveland did manage a pair of key catches on Chicago's game-tying drive late in the third quarter. Loveland should maintain a key role in the offense and have the chance to bounce back in Week 17 against the 49ers.
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John FitzPatrick TE | GB
Packers' John FitzPatrick: Injures Achilles against Bears
FitzPatrick has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's Week 16 contest against Chicago due to an Achilles injury.
FitzPatrick suffered what appeared to be a non-contact injury in the second half. Prior to his exit, he drew one passing target, which he didn't catch. Green Bay was already short on tight ends with Josh Whyle (concussion) unable to suit up Saturday. Luke Musgrave is the only healthy player left at the position for Green Bay for the remainder of the NFC North battle.
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Dallas Goedert TE | PHI
Eagles' Dallas Goedert: Tallies another touchdown
Goedert recorded three receptions on three targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 29-18 win over the Commanders.
Goedert took a step back from his involvement in the Eagles' offense relative to the last two games, but he still managed to make a significant impact. His primary contribution came late in the third quarter, when he hauled in a 15-yard touchdown on a long third down. Goedert's target total will likely remain inconsistent moving forward, though he has either 70 receiving yards or a touchdown in three consecutive contests.
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Cole Kmet TE | CHI
Bears' Cole Kmet: Suiting up in Week 16
Kmet (ankle/knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Kmet opened Week 16 prep with a limited walkthrough Tuesday and limited practice Wednesday due to ankle and knee injuries before progressing to all activity Thursday. He told Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network after the latter session that he intended to play Saturday, which now will come to pass. Despite handling between 63 and 79 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the last six contests, Kmet has put together just a 14-159-1 line on 18 targets, while rookie TE Colston Loveland has earned similar snap shares but compiled a 22-264-2 line on 29 targets during that stretch.
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Moliki Matavao TE | NO
Saints' Moliki Matavao: Elevated for Week 16
The Saints have elevated Matavao from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Matavao, a rookie seventh-round pick, will get a chance to contribute in a depth capacity at tight end during Sunday's home game against New York. After Sunday's matchup, Matavao will revert to the practice squad for New Orleans.
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Giovanni Ricci TE | DET
Lions' Giovanni Ricci: Elevated to face Steelers
The Lions have elevated Ricci from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
Ricci will be elevated for a second consecutive game to contribute in a depth capacity at tight end. Versus the Rams in Week 15, he played 12 snaps on offense (zero targets) and 14 snaps on special teams. He'll revert to the practice squad after Sunday's contest.
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Gavin Bartholomew TE | MIN
Vikings' Gavin Bartholomew: Downgraded to out for Week 16
Bartholomew (back) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Bartholomew was initially listed as questionable for Sunday's game after logging back-to-back full practice sessions, but he nonetheless won't come off the reserve/PUP list yet. The rookie sixth-round pick's next opportunity to retake the field will come in Week 17 versus the Lions on Thursday night.
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Cameron Latu TE | PHI
Eagles' Cameron Latu: Inactive for Week 16
Latu (neck) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Commanders.
Latu was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional matchup, and he'll ultimately have to remain sidelined for at least one game while working to recover from his stinger injury. The depth tight end has yet to be targeted across 13 regular-season appearances this year, so his absence won't have much of an impact for fantasy purposes.
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Gunnar Helm TE | TEN
Titans' Gunnar Helm: Trending toward playing Sunday
Helm (toe) is expected to play against the Chiefs on Sunday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Helm is working through a toe injury that he sustained during the Titans' Week 15 loss to the 49ers, when he caught four passes on as many targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. He was tagged as questionable for Week 16, but his ability to practice in full Friday -- coupled with Fowler's report Saturday -- puts the rookie tight end on track toward being available for Sunday's home tilt. Helm has caught 41 passes (on 50 targets) for 347 yards and two touchdowns through 14 regular-season games.