NFL Player News

Smith caught four passes on as many targets for 40 yards and carried once for five yards in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Jets.

Smith was out-snapped by fellow tight end Hunter Henry (53 to 34) on Sunday, but the former was more involved in the team's passing game, with Henry logging just one target. With 10 catches on 11 targets for 71 yards over his last three games, Smith approaches Thursday night's game against the Vikings with modest fantasy upside.

Henry, who was on the field for 53 of a possible 63 snaps on offense in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Jets, caught his only target in the contest for 20 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Though Henry out-snapped Jonnu Smith (34 snaps) in the contest, it was Smith (four catches for 40 yards) who was more involved in the team's passing game Week 11. As Thursday night's game against the Vikings approaches, both of New England's tight ends profile as hit-or-miss fantasy options due to their ongoing timeshare.

Pitts is feared to have suffered an MCL tear in his right knee during Sunday's 27-24 win over the Bears and could require surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport relayed that the MRI that Pitts underwent Monday revealed more substantial damage than initially anticipated. Pitts reportedly is seeking a second opinion, but he looks like he could be in danger of missing the rest of the season. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith may provide an official update on Pitts' health during his media availability later Monday.

Pitts (knee) is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain during Sunday's 27-24 win over the Bears, and he'll have an MRI on Monday to confirm, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Pitts was able to leave the field under his own power Sunday, and he caught three of five targets for 43 yards before exiting. If the 2021 first-round pick's injury diagnosis is confirmed, it could lead to a significant absence for the tight end.

Pruitt gathered in his only target for 17 yards during Sunday's 27-24 victory versus the Bears.

Pruitt secured just one reception for a third straight game, totaling 29 receiving yards during that stretch. With Kyle Pitts (knee) leaving the contest early, Pruitt played a season-high 31 offensive snaps, which was second most among tight ends behind Parker Hesse (37). Both Pruitt and Hesse figure to garner increased roles if Pitts has to miss extended time, but neither backup projects to have as large of an impact in the passing game as Pitts.

Trautman gathered in all three targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 27-20 victory over the Rams.

Trautman once again served as a short-yardage, checkdown option for quarterback Andy Dalton. The 6-foot-5 tight end also saw his largest snap share of the season after the Saints waived J.P. Holtz and Nick Vannett on Saturday. While Trautman's 40 offensive snaps outpaced No. 1 tight end Juwan Johnson (36), he still logged one fewer target. Trautman's production should continue to be limited by his lack of involvement in the downfield passing game.

Akins caught two of three targets for eight yards in Sunday's 23-10 loss to Washington in Week 11.

Akins and the rest of the Houston pass-catchers suffered as Davis Mills had one of his worst performances of the season. The Texans manage a total of five yards on offense in the first half and only 148 for the game. Akins has experienced a revival this season and leads the tight end group in receiving yards, but rookie Teagan Quitoriano appears to be pushing for the top spot on the depth chart.

Quitoriano led all Houston tight ends with 37 offensive snaps in Sunday's 23-10 loss to Washington.

Quitoriano did not catch his lone target -- a red zone look -- but he was in the starting lineup and was used more than other TEs, a strong a sign the coaching staff wants to evaluate him down the stretch. The 2022 fifth-round pick missed the season's first eight games due to a knee injury.

Bryant caught four of seven targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Bills.

Bryant once again led all Cleveland tight ends in playing time (55 snaps, 73 percent) en route to a season high in targets, as David Njoku (28 snaps, 37 percent) had his workload managed in his return from an ankle injury that cost him two games. Njoku could regain his usual role in next week's home game against Tampa Bay however, pushing Bryant back down the depth chart.

Kelce had six receptions (10 targets) for 115 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 30-27 win over the Chargers.

The Chiefs were without two of its top wideouts and lost Kadarius Toney (hamstring) early in this contest, so it was up to Kelce to carry the load for a depleted receiving unit. The league's top tight end was up to the challenge, producing his second game with three or more touchdowns this season, including the game-winning score in the final moments of a thrilling comeback victory. Kelce has racked up 69 receptions, 855 yards and 11 touchdowns through 10 games, putting him well on pace to record his sixth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. The 33-year-old will set a new career high in touchdowns if he can score next Sunday against a Rams defense that has struggled guarding tight ends over the last two years.