NFL Player News

Cager played 16 total snaps -- 13 on special teams and three on offense -- in Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Bills.

After he was a healthy inactive for the Week 2 win over the Cardinals, Cager has suited up in each of the Giants' last four games. However, he's seen most of his playing time on special teams and will continue to have a minimal role on offense while both of the Giants' top two tight ends -- Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger -- are available.

Bellinger went without a target while playing 39 of the Giants' 77 snaps on offense in Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Bills.

Sunday's game marked just the second time all season that Bellinger failed to draw a target. Aside from the Giants' Week 4 loss to the Seahawks in which he exited early due to injury, Bellinger has played at least 35 percent of the team's snaps on offense in every contest. However, so long as top tight end Darren Waller is available, Bellinger is likely to operate mainly as a blocker when he takes the field.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday that Kincaid has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Kincaid missed the Bills' Week 6 win over the Giants while in the protocol, but he appears to have received the green light for full contact in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist in advance of Wednesday's walk-through practice. Barring any setbacks during the week of practice, Kincaid shouldn't face any restrictions heading into Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. As such, expect Kincaid and Dawson Knox to work as Buffalo's top tight ends this weekend while Quintin Morris (ankle) fades into the No. 3 role after recording a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Giants.

Ferguson caught his only target for 15 yards in Monday's 20-17 win over the Chargers.

Ferguson continued to operate as the team's primary option at tight end, playing 86 percent of the Cowboys' offensive snaps. Despite seeing his highest snap share of the season, the 24-year-old's one target and one grab were his lowest marks of the season. Dallas heads into a Week 7 bye, but fantasy managers should expect Ferguson to bounce back as one of the Cowboys' primary options in the passing game in a Week 8 matchup with the Rams.

Morris secured his lone target for a 15-yard touchdown in Sunday's 14-9 win over the Giants.

Morris' 15-yard touchdown grab was his first reception of the 2023 campaign. The second-year tight end found himself in the No. 2 role behind Dawson Knox, with Dalton Kincaid (concussion) inactive for the contest. Morris played 30 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps, his highest share of the season. The 24-year-old veteran's touchdown ultimately earned the Bills the win in what was a surprisingly low-scoring day for the offense. Going forward, Morris' limited usage and Kincaid's eventual return make him extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. The Bills will visit the Patriots in Week 7.

Smith caught one of his two targets for five yards in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks.

Smith had another quiet day, despite playing 61 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps. The veteran tight end has done little to prove he can be a reliable fantasy option, totaling just six catches for 32 yards in the four games he's played this season. Smith will remain largely off the fantasy radar as the Bengals head into a Week 7 bye.

Johnson (calf) isn't taking part in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Johnson hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his calf during pregame warmups ahead of the Saints' Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers. With New Orleans facing a quick turnaround before clashing with the Jaguars on Thursday night, Johnson appears headed for a fourth consecutive absence. Look for Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill to take on most of the snaps at tight end Thursday.

Mundt went without a target across seven snaps on offense Sunday in the Vikings' 19-13 win over the Bears.

Mundt recorded an 11-yard reception in the Vikings' Week 5 loss to the Chiefs for his first catch of the season, but quarterback Kirk Cousins didn't look the tight end's way during his limited time on the field Sunday. As the third-string option at the position who often serves as a blocker when he plays, Mundt is far removed from the fantasy radar.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said he expects Freiermuth (hamstring) to practice Wednesday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Tomlin didn't disclose whether Freiermuth will be returning as a limited or full practice participant, but the tight end's ability to get on the field in any capacity to begin the week is a promising sign after he sat out the Steelers' Week 5 win over the Ravens with a hamstring injury. Following the team's Week 6 bye, Freiermuth appears to be tracking toward a return to the lineup this Sunday versus the Rams.

Bates went without a target across 20 snaps on offense Sunday in the Commanders' 24-16 win over the Falcons.

Quarterback Sam Howell didn't look to involve his tight ends in Week 6, as the trio of Logan Thomas, Bates and Cole Turner combined for just one target across 69 offensive snaps. Thomas continues to dominate the playing time among the position group, and so long as he's healthy, Bates will be in store for a minor role. In the four games that Thomas has played without exiting early due to injury, Bates has drawn just three total targets.