NFL Player News

Firkser caught nine of 13 targets for 100 yards across 11 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

Firkser caught just three of four targets for 39 yards over the first five games of the season before being a healthy inactive from Weeks 6 through 11. After Kyle Pitts (knee) was placed on injured reserve, Firkser's role began to grow, but he still mustered just six receptions on nine targets for 61 yards over Atlanta's final six contests. It was the fifth-year tight end's worst statistical season of his career, and he'll presumably look to move on during free agency this offseason.

Pruitt caught 16 of 21 targets for 150 yards and four scores across 13 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

Pruitt signed with Atlanta's practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster. However, following Kyle Pitts' knee injury in Week 11, Pruitt stepped up and made the most of his increased opportunity. He caught 12 of 17 targets for 119 yards and three touchdowns over the final six games of the season and ended the campaign with career highs in receptions, targets, receiving yards and touchdowns. The veteran tight end will be a free agent this offseason, but a return to Atlanta could be in the cards given his solid production and head coach Arthur Smith's proclivity for utilizing tight ends.

Ruckert caught his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 11-6 loss to the Dolphins.

Ruckert's impact as a rookie was limited primarily to special teams, as his lone catch came in the season finale. The 2022 third-round draft pick out of Ohio State played more than six offensive snaps only twice while being blocked by Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah on the tight end depth chart. Ruckert flashed some intriguing skills in college, but he may need an injury or two in front of him to showcase those skills, as both Conklin and Uzomah are expected to remain with the Jets in 2023.

Smythe secured three of five targets for 39 yards during Sunday's 11-6 win over the Jets.

Smythe recorded his best receiving performance of the year in Miami's regular-season finale, a game that saw Skylar Thompson rely heavily on short-yardage completions to tight ends and running backs. If Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) or Teddy Bridgewater (finger) are healthy enough to suit up for Sunday's playoff matchup in Buffalo, it would stand to reason that Smythe will revert to his normal role, which involves more blocking than route running.

Tonyan caught all three of his targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Lions.

The veteran tight end was on the field for 37 of the Packers' 60 offensive snaps and was unable to produce much for fantasy purposes with his opportunities. He finished the season with 53 catches for 470 yards and two touchdowns. Fantasy managers thinking that Tonyan would become a bigger factor in 2022 with the departures of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were met with great disappointment, as the 28-year-old was typically an afterthought in Green Bay's inconsistent aerial attack. After inking a one-year, $3.75 million contract with Green Bay last offseason, Tonyan is set to become a free agent in the spring.

Hurst caught four of five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 27-16 win over the Ravens.

After missing the Bengals' previous three games with a calf injury, Hurst reclaimed his role as Cincinnati's top tight end. He played 73 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps, and his four catches were third-most of any Cincinnati pass catcher. Hurst wrapped up the regular season with 52 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns on 68 targets across 13 appearances.

Knox caught both of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-23 win over the Patriots.

That makes four straight games with a score for Knox, who rallied to finish with a 48-517-6 line for the season, quite similar to his 49-587-9 line from 2021. Knox will remain a key red-zone option when the Bills begin their playoff march Sunday against the division-rival Dolphins, who were one of only four teams this season to allow double-digit receiving touchdowns to tight ends.

The Packers signed Allen to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Allen will stick with Green Bay after joining the team's practice squad Jan. 3. The tight end out of Nebraska originally signed with the Giants as an undrafted rookie in May, though he was cut from the team's practice squad Oct. 18 before ever making his NFL debut. Allen will now look to make an impression with the Packers this offseason.

The Patriots signed Washington to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Washington spent the first two seasons of his career with the Bengals before signing with the Patriots' practice squad Sept. 20. The 25-year-old tight end then made his NFL debut after being elevated for the Week 16 loss to Cincinnati, though he did not log a target over his 20 offensive snaps. Washington landed on the practice-squad injured list with an undisclosed issue Dec. 27, and it appears he is now healthy again heading into the 2023 offseason.

New England signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Sokol was claimed off waivers by the Patriots in May before being signed to the team's practice squad. The 26-year-old tight end was then elevated for three games this regular season, including each of the final two weeks. Sokol still did not log a target during the 2022 campaign, and he'll now look to record the first reception of his NFL career heading into the 2023 season.