NFL Player News
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T.J. Hockenson TE | MIN
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Season-high yardage in Dallas
Hockenson secured four of five targets for 66 yards during Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cowboys.
Hockenson surpassed 50 receiving yards for just the second time this season, finishing tied with Jordan Addison as the team's leading receiver. Justin Jefferson, meanwhile, finished with just two catches for 22 yards despite a team-high eight targets. Hockenson has drawn at least four targets in all but one of his last five appearances and continues to build chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, so he's trending up heading into a plus matchup against the Giants in Week 16.
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Tommy Tremble TE | CAR
Panthers' Tommy Tremble: Two catches vs. New Orleans
Tremble caught two of four targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints.
Tremble received just four total targets in the Panthers' previous four games, but he matched that total during Sunday's loss. The increase in volume didn't translate to production, as finished the divisional matchup with the fourth-most receiving yards on the team. Tremble has now caught 22 of 31 targets for 199 yards and a touchdown across 14 appearances this season. He's expected to remain the one of the Panthers' top tight ends in the Week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers.
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Austin Hooper TE | ATL
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Playing time dips Sunday
Hooper logged a season-low 16 out of a possible 52 snaps on offense in Sunday's 35-31 loss to the Bills, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
For the second straight contest, Hooper saw a decrease in snaps and wasn't targeted in New England's passing game. He'll remain off the fantasy lineup radar as long as fellow TE Hunter Henry is healthy and available.
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Eric Saubert TE | SEA
Seahawks' Eric Saubert: One target in win
Saubert caught his lone target for nine yards in Sunday's 18-16 win over the Colts.
Saubert handled a 36 percent snap share even though rookie TE Elijah Arroyo (knee) is on injured reserve. With just two catches through eight games, it's clear that Saubert is considered a blocking tight end in the Seahawks' system.
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AJ Barner TE | SEA
Seahawks' AJ Barner: Touchdown drought continues
Barner caught three of six targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 18-16 win over the Colts.
Barner has been targeted 19 times over the last four weeks, turning in 12 receptions for 107 yards and no touchdowns. After starting the season with four touchdowns through the first five games, Barner has been kept out of the end zone for nine straight contests. The second-year tight end remains the Seahawks' clear No. 1 at the position however, especially with rookie Elijah Arroyo (knee) done for the rest of the regular season.
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Harrison Bryant TE | HOU
Texans' Harrison Bryant: Minimal work in win
Bryant was not targeted over four snaps in Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals in Week 15.
Bryant returned from a four-game absence due to neck and shoulder injuries but served as the No. 3 tight end behind Dalton Schultz (53 snaps) and Cade Stover (41). With the position group at close to full strength, Bryant should settle into a depth role.
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Cade Stover TE | HOU
Texans' Cade Stover: Contributes three catches in win
Stover caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 40-20 win over Arizona in Week 15.
The Texans often rolled with multiple tight ends, and Stover had a season-high 41 snaps alongside starter Dalton Shultz (53 snaps). The position group combined for 12 targets, a team high for the day and a season high. Stover also had one rushing attempt -- another short-yardage situation in the red zone -- but the play was negated by a penalty.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | WAS
Titans' Chig Okonkwo: Leads team in targets
Okonkwo recorded four receptions on six targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the 49ers.
Okonkwo served as a reliable target for Cam Ward in the short areas of the field, and he paced the team with his six targets. He managed a few solid gains with his ability to pick up yards after the catch, the longest of which went for 17 yards. While Gunnar Helm is emerging as a key contributor in the Tennessee offense, Okonkwo still has at least four targets in three of his last four games.
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Evan Engram TE | DEN
Broncos' Evan Engram: Only 12 yards
Engram recorded one reception on three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Packers.
The absence of Pat Bryant (hamstring) shifted targets in the Denver offense, though Engram remained in a peripheral role. He made his lone catch late in the third quarter, though it helped keep a drive alive that ultimately resulted in a touchdown. While Engram will retain a significant snap count in the Denver offense, he's been held to 15 or fewer receiving yards in four of the team's last six games.