NFL Player News

Granson started at tight end (along with Mo Alie-Cox in a two-TE formation) and had two receptions for 17 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Cincinnati.

Granson started and played the most snaps among tight ends, but Will Mallory had bigger numbers in the passing game (five receptions for 46 yards). The Colts spread out playing time fairly evenly among tight ends, as Mallory played on 20 of the offense's 62 snaps, while starter Granson played on 24 snaps, Drew Ogletree played on 17 snaps, and Mo Alie-Cox played on 19 snaps (and caught a TD). While Granson is the starter and has five catches his last two games, he's also had two or fewer receptions in seven of 11 games this season.

Mallory had five receptions for 46 yards on five targets in Sunday's loss at Cincinnati.

Mallory played fewer snaps and ran fewer routes than Kylen Granson but had a bigger game as a pass catcher. The Colts spread out playing time fairly evenly among tight ends, as Mallory played on 20 of the offense's 62 snaps, while starter Granson played on 24 snaps, Drew Ogletree played on 17 snaps, and Mo Alie-Cox played on 19 snaps (and caught a TD). While Mallory is trending upward with nine receptions in his last three games, it's very hard to predict which Colts tight end will be productive each week.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Higbee (neck) may be able to return for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Prior to being inactive Sunday in Baltimore, Higbee wasn't able to practice due to the stinger that he suffered during a Week 13 win versus the Browns. The Rams will post their first injury report of Week 15 on Wednesday, which will reveal whether or not he avoids a DNP.

Bellinger (illness) is active for Monday's contest against the Packers, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants held Bellinger out of drills Friday and Saturday due to an illness and handed him a questionable designation for Week 14. In the lead up to Monday's game, the team didn't elevate a tight end from the practice squad, indicating that Bellinger was in line to be available. Indeed, that has come to pass, meaning he should be good for his typical workload (85-93 percent of the offensive snaps) from the previous five games with Darren Waller (hamstring) sidelined. So far, that has yielded a modest 9-123-0 line on 11 targets for Bellinger during that span.

Fant caught two of four targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 28-16 loss to the 49ers.

Fant is still struggling to make a consistent impact in this offense, but he has managed to post at least 35 yards in back-to-back games. The 2019 first-round pick has produced 24 receptions for 339 yards and no touchdowns through 13 games. He'll need to find paydirt to have any fantasy upside this season.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Long (knee) will require season-ending MCL surgery, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Long was carted to the locker room during Sunday's 37-31 overtime loss to the Ravens, and after getting follow-up tests, the Rams determined that he suffered a significant injury. While Tyler Higbee (neck) was sidelined for the Week 14 contest, Long had been poised to take on a larger workload before going down with an injury of his own. Rookie Davis Allen -- who caught four of five targets for 50 yards and a touchdown versus Baltimore -- and Brycen Hopkins are now the team's healthiest options at tight end, though Higbee could be ready to play in next Sunday's game against the Commanders. Long closes the 2023 season without any targets across 54 snaps on offense over four games.

Kincaid (shoulder) is viewed as day-to-day as Sunday's game against the Cowboys approaches, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

While coach Sean McDermott relayed Monday that safety Micah Hyde (stinger) and defensive end A.J. Epenesa (rib) were in the week-to-week category, Kincaid was deemed day-to-day, which suggests that the tight end potentially could play through his shoulder issue this weekend. Added context with regard to his Week 15 status will arrive no later than Wednesday's practice, but if Kincaid is limited or out versus Dallas, Dawson Knox would be next up for Buffalo's TE snaps.

Hooper caught his only target for five yards in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Vikings.

Coming off the Raiders' Week 13 bye, Hooper logged just 20 offensive snaps to rookie Michael Mayer's 51 on Sunday, confirming the latter is likely to retain his hold on the No. 1 tight end role through the remainder of the regular season. Hooper's involvement figures to take a back seat to Mayer's development again Thursday versus the Chargers.

Mayer caught one pass for 14 yards on two targets in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Vikings.

Mayer played 51 of a possible 54 offensive snaps for the Raiders on Sunday, but the rookie tight end earned just two targets on 32 pass attempts from quarterback Aidan O'Connell. Nonetheless, Mayer remains the clear TE1 in Las Vegas ahead of a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Chargers in Week 15.

Parham (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Parham and fellow tight end Gerald Everett (hip) were both listed as limited as the Chargers began their preparations for Thursday's road game against the Raiders. While Parham would gain some appeal if he ultimately suits up and Everett doesn't, the entire Los Angeles passing game is likely facing a significant downgrade with Easton Stick expected to start at quarterback in place of Justin Herbert (finger).