NFL Player News

Smythe (foot) secured all three of his targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 31-17 win over the Patriots. He was spotted in a walking boot after the contest, Barry Jackson of the Miami Heraldreports.

Smythe appears to have picked up a foot injury during Miami's divisional win over New England, but it remains to be seen whether he will have to miss any time. Coach Mike McDaniel said Smythe is "as tough as they come" and "will battle through that" when asked about the tight end's injury Monday. Rookie Julian Hill and veteran Tyler Kroft would be in line for expanded roles Week 9 versus the Chiefs if Smythe needs to spend time on the sideline. The Dolphins have a bye coming up Week 10.

Heyward secured five of six targets for 24 yards during the Steelers' 20-10 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.

Heyward had an increased role once again Sunday since Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) remained on injured reserve. However, the 2022 sixth-rounder was unable to generate much production despite finishing second on the team in targets. Over the three games in which Freiermuth has been sidelined, Heyward has secured 10 of 13 targets for 70 yards.

Musgrave was targeted three times and caught two passes for nine yards in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Vikings.

Musgrave shook off an ankle injury and played roughly three-fourths of the snaps in Sunday's contest -- his highest percentage since Week 3. However, he finished with a single digit in the yardage column for the second time in four appearances. Musgrave will have a chance to get going in Week 9 when the Packers take on a Rams team that has ceded 39 targets and four scores to tight ends over its last five games.

Schultz caught two of five targets for five yards in Sunday's 15-13 loss to Carolina.

Schultz entered the contest with touchdowns in three consecutive games but couldn't keep the streak going. Houston had only two red-zone trips on the day, but Schultz was not targeted in either one. The tight end averages nearly six targets per game and is tied with Robert Woods (foot) with six red-zone targets to lead the team.

Tonyan caught one pass for eight yards in the Bears' 30-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday.

Tonyan has yet to see more than two targets in any contest, and he has not posted more than 18 yards in a game this season. Unless his role increases, he'll retain low fantasy value.

Trautman failed to record a single target in Sunday's 24-9 win over Kansas City.

Trautman played 82 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps in the contest, yet he was a complete non-factor in the passing attack. Sunday marked the first time the veteran was held without a target in the 2023 campaign. The veteran tight end's ascent to the No. 1 job hasn't resulted in increased production, as Trautman has totaled just 11 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown through eight games. The 26-year-old will continue to be an unreliable fantasy contributor after the Broncos' Week 9 bye, and eventually Greg Dulcich (hamstring) could get healthy and push him aside.

Kmet brought in all 10 of his targets for 79 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Chargers.

Kmet turned out to be one of the few bright spots for Chicago's offense in a game that understandably got out of hand for a rebuilding team that was starting an undrafted free agent under center. The tight end set new high-water marks in both targets and receptions Sunday after being held catchless in last week's win over Las Vegas. Kmet still owns a solid 35-319-3 receiving line through eight games with Chicago this year despite having inconsistent play under center. The tight end's fantasy value should receive a shot in the arm when starter Justin Fields returns from injury, with the next opportunity for that scenario coming against New Orleans in Week 9.

Njoku recorded four receptions on eight targets for 77 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks.

Njoku earned his second-highest target total of the season, good for second-best on the team in Sunday's loss. He did the majority of his damage on two catches, the first of which was an 18-yard score followed by a 41-yard gain that helped set up a field goal at the close the drive. Though the Browns offense has stagnated with PJ Walker under center, Njoku has 17 targets and nine receptions for 131 yards combined across his last two games.

Ferguson recorded four receptions on four targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 43-20 win over the Rams.

Ferguson saw at least seven targets in three of his first four games of the season, though he has only eight looks in his last three games combined. As a result, he managed to top 40 yards for only the third time on the campaign, with his longest catch of the day coming on an 18-yard touchdown catch. Though his production will be sporadic, Ferguson has four targets inside the five and 11 targets inside the red zone this season, so he should have plenty of opportunity to keep finding the end zone.

Thomas brought in six of eight targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders' 38-31 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

The veteran tight end had been somewhat quiet since his season-best 9-77-1 line in Week 5 against the Bears, but he was an important part of a career-best passing day for Sam Howell on Sunday. Thomas also found the end zone for the third time this season and for the first time since that game against Chicago when he hauled in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Howell early in the fourth quarter. Thomas will next take aim at the Patriots' spotty pass defense in a Week 9 road matchup.