NFL Player News

Washington secured his lone target for 15 yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Washington had one of his best performances of the season against the Colts in Week 9, securing four of six targets for 43 yards in the win. However, he was held in check during the Steelers' primetime matchup in Week 10, and he also ranked last among the team's tight ends in playing time, as he was on the field for 48 percent of the offensive snaps. Washington has shown glimpses of production this season, but he remains an unreliable fantasy option as part of a crowded group of tight ends in Pittsburgh.

Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Irving's shoulder injury is what's keeping him sidelined, and he has to be able to take a hit before being cleared to return to game action, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

It sounds like Irving may be past the foot issue, though the team has continued to list both injuries on weekly practice reports. Bowles added that it's too soon to know if Irving will be able to play Week 11 against the Bills. Irving has missed the past five contests after being injured Week 4. As long as Irving remains sidelined, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will continue to handle backfield duties for Tampa Bay.

Burks secured all three of his targets for 58 yards during Sunday's 44-22 loss to Detroit.

Burks led Washington in terms of receiving yards against Detroit with Marcus Mariota under center and Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) sidelined, though he was outpaced by both Deebo Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz in terms of targets. As Burks was signed to the active roster in advance of Sunday's contest, he'll get another chance to contribute on offense as the Commanders travel to Madrid in Week 11 to take on the Dolphins. If McLaurin is unavailable again versus Miami, Burks could be considered as an emergency pivot option at wide receiver in deeper fantasy formats.

Freiermuth secured all three of his targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Freiermuth was on the field for 50 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, which ranked second among the team's tight ends. However, he was somewhat involved in the passing game and recorded his second-highest yardage total of the season in the loss. Freiermuth has logged at least three receptions in each of his last four appearances, securing 14 of 17 targets for 184 yards and three touchdowns during that time.

Smith secured one of two targets for four yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Although Smith led Pittsburgh's tight ends by playing 67 percent of the team's offensive snaps Sunday, he had a season-worst performance in primetime. He was held to season-low marks in receptions, targets and receiving yards, although none of the team's tight ends recorded more than 33 yards in the defeat. The Steelers' passing game hasn't been stellar despite the offseason addition of Aaron Rodgers, and Smith's fantasy upside has been minimal with his new team.

Hooper didn't recorded a catch (on one target) in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Buccaneers.

Hooper was on the field for 34 of a possible 61 snaps on offense Sunday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow TE Hunter Henry logged 53 snaps and one catch for nine yards on four targets. As long as he works in a timeshare that tilts in Henry's favor, Hooper is off the fantasy lineup radar in all but the deepest of formats.

Johnson rushed twice for three yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Johnson was on the field for just four offensive snaps Sunday, and he didn't generate much production during the blowout loss. The rookie third-round pick has totaled just nine offensive snaps over the last four weeks, and he's been a non-factor in fantasy over the first half of the season, rushing 17 times for 43 yards while securing one of two targets for nine yards over six appearances.

Henry caught one of his four targets for nine yards in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Buccaneers.

Henry logged an 87 percent snap share in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, but Patriots tight ends weren't a big factor in the team's Week 10 passing attack, which was paced by WRs Mack Hollins (six catches) and Stefon Diggs (five catches). As Thursday night's game against the Jets approaches, Henry looks like a boom-or-bust fantasy option, given the way New England has been spreading the ball around of late. Overall, he's recorded a 30-377-4 line on 47 targets through 10 games, with three of his TDs having been notched in a two-game span (Weeks 3 and 4) .

Gainwell secured two of three targets for four yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Gainwell led the Steelers' running backs by playing 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps during Sunday's blowout loss, but he saw minimal touches against the Chargers. The primetime matchup marked the first time that Gainwell was held without any carries this season, and he failed to generate much production as a pass catcher. While the Steelers offense generally struggled as a whole Week 10, Gainwell's fantasy upside remains limited for the second half of the regular season.

Douglas, who was on the field for 13 of a possible 61 snaps on offense in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Buccaneers, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, caught both of his targets in the contest for 34 yards.

Even with Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) inactive Sunday, Douglas was out-snapped by fellow WRs Mack Hollins (48), Stefon Diggs (36) and Kyle Williams (34). Through 10 games to date while working in a New England offense that spreads the ball around on a weekly basis, Douglas has recorded a total of 20 catches (on 32 targets) for 296 yards and three TDs. As Thursday night's game against the Jets approaches, Douglas continues to profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy lineup option in deeper formats.