NFL Player News
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Tyler Higbee TE | LAR
Rams' Tyler Higbee: Blanked by Eagles
Higbee failed to secure either of his targets during Sunday's 33-26 loss to the Eagles.
The veteran tight end has now sandwiched two goose eggs around a four-catch performance Week 2, and while his spot atop the depth chart at tight end seems secure, that role still doesn't appear to have any fantasy value. The only tight end to catch a pass against the Eagles was Davis Allen, who gained just three yards on the play, and Colby Parkinson didn't even see a target aimed his way. No matter the breakdown in usage for the Rams' tight ends, they will continue to remain difficult to trust for fantasy purposes, even with a Colts defense that allowed a generous 5-66-0 receiving line to Chig Okonkwo coming to town next Week 4.
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Charlie Woerner TE | ATL
Falcons' Charlie Woerner: Goes backward with lone reception
Woerner (ankle) caught his only target for minus-5 yards during Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Panthers.
After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday due to an ankle injury, Woerner returned as a full participant Friday and played his usual role Sunday. He's known for his blocking prowess and will see plenty of offensive snaps every week, but his offensive production is rare. He set a career high with seven receptions in 16 regular-season games last season, and he's never had more than 52 receiving yards in a season.
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Colston Loveland TE | CHI
Bears' Colston Loveland: Not ruled out for Week 4
Loveland (hip) is believed to have avoided a severe injury, and he has a chance to gain clearance in time to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Loveland suffered a hip injury during the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Cowboys, but it appears he has a chance to avoid missing any significant time. The rookie first-rounder flashed his downfield playmaking ability before leaving the field versus Dallas, securing one of three targets for 31 yards. If Loveland is forced to miss time or face a limited snap count, Cole Kmet will handle an expanded workload at tight end.
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Ja'Tavion Sanders TE | CAR
Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders: Awaiting MRI results
The Panthers are awaiting MRI results to diagnose the severity of Sanders' right ankle/foot injury, though initial X-rays were encouraging, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Sanders was forced out of Sunday's blowout win over the Falcons early, though he secured both of his targets for 11 yards before leaving the field. The second-year pro has operated as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end, so if he were to miss any time it would provide an opportunity for Tommy Tremble to take on extra receiving work.
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Hunter Long TE | JAC
Jaguars' Hunter Long: Two grabs vs. Houston
Long caught two of three targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 17-10 win over the Texans.
The 27-year-old played 14 offensive snaps in Jacksonville's Week 3 win, more than doubling his total from the first two games combined (seven). Despite his increase in snaps, Long still operated as the Jaguars' No. 3 tight end, playing behind Johnny Mundt (18 offensive snaps) and Brenton Strange (54 offensive snaps). Long is expected to remain a depth option in the Jags' tight-end room ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the 49ers.
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Pat Freiermuth TE | PIT
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Limited to one reception
Freiermuth secured one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 21-14 win over the Patriots.
Freiermuth recorded three receptions in each of the first two weeks of the regular season, but he was held in check during Sunday's victory. However, he played 70 percent of the team's offensive snaps, which lagged just behind Jonnu Smith, who was on the field for 83 percent. Over the first three games of the year, Freiermuth has secured seven of 10 targets for 65 yards, slightly behind Smith's 12-65-1 line on 13 targets.
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Jonnu Smith TE | PIT
Steelers' Jonnu Smith: Three catches against Patriots
Smith secured all three of his targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 21-14 win over New England.
Smith was on the field for 83 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday. However, the team had a lackluster performance through the air, and the tight end wasn't particularly productive. He also narrowly avoided disaster with the game tied in the fourth quarter, as he fumbled but the ball went out of bounds. Smith has led Pittsburgh's tight ends in snaps over the first three weeks of the regular season, and he's secured 12 of 13 targets for 65 yards and a touchdown compared to Pat Freiermuth's 7-65-0 line on 10 targets.
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Luke Musgrave TE | GB
Packers' Luke Musgrave: Held without target
Musgrave was not targeted in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Browns.
The third-year tight end was a trendy waiver-wire pick-up late in the week after Tucker Kraft injured his knee Thursday, but the Packers' starter wound up filling his usual role in Week 3 while Musgrave failed to make a mark. Musgrave is not even locked in as the No. 2 tight end -- John FitzPatrick scored his first career TD on Sunday and has played roughly the same number of snaps through three weeks.
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John FitzPatrick TE | GB
Packers' John FitzPatrick: Tallies first touchdown
FitzPatrick was targeted twice and caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Browns.
Starting tight end Tucker Kraft filled his usual role in Week 3 despite picking up a minor knee in practice Thursday, but FitzPatrick still managed to find the end zone for the first time as a professional. FitzPatrick and Luke Musgrave have split backup snaps behind Kraft relatively evenly so far.
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Tommy Tremble TE | CAR
Panthers' Tommy Tremble: Quiet in Week 3
Tremble caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 30-0 win over the Falcons.
The Notre Dame product played a season-high 33 offensive snaps in Sunday's win after Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) exited early due to an injury. Tremble made the most of his limited opportunities, catching each of his targets and finishing second on the Panthers in receiving yards in Week 3. If Sanders is sidelined for the Panthers' Week 4 matchup against the Patriots, Tremble will likely step in and serve as one of the team's top receiving options.