NFL Player News
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Jordan Akins TE | CLE
Browns' Jordan Akins: Four targets in loss
Akins caught one of four targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 35-14 loss to the Saints in Week 11.
Akins, who had two red-zone targets, was caught up in an offense that finished with 47 passing attempts. It was the third consecutive week the Browns have aired it out more than 40 times and the second straight week with four targets for Akins, who has four red-zone targets this season. He's not about to challenge the team's top targets, but all that volume could lead to a red-zone score.
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Kyle Pitts TE | ATL
Falcons' Kyle Pitts: One catch in Week 11 loss
Pitts caught one of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Broncos.
Pitts' season has been full of peaks and valleys, and he hit a low point in this lopsided loss. The 2021 fourth overall pick has been held to one catch in two of his last three games, a stretch that began right after Pitts set a season high with 91 receiving yards in Week 8 while scoring his first two touchdowns since Week 1. Pitts will look to get back on track in Week 13 against the Chargers following Atlanta's Week 12 bye.
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Jonnu Smith TE | MIA
Dolphins' Jonnu Smith: Career-high yardage total in win
Smith brought in six of eight targets for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins' 34-19 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
Smith exceeded his previous career high in receiving yards -- set in Week 9 of last season while with the Falcons -- by one yard while also recording multiple touchdown grabs for the first time since Week 5 of the 2020 season. Smith found the end zone from one and 57 yards out in the first and fourth quarters, respectively, and his receiving yards led the Dolphins on the afternoon. The veteran tight end has now exceeded 60 receiving yards on three occasions in the last six games as he continues to hit his stride in Mike McDaniel's offense, affording him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 12 home matchup against a vulnerable Patriots defense.
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Tucker Kraft TE | GB
Packers' Tucker Kraft: Blanked in Week 11
Kraft didn't haul in his only target during Sunday's 20-19 win in Chicago.
The Packers logged 25 fewer offensive plays than the Bears and held possession for nearly 13 minutes less than the opposition, resulting in a season-low 17 pass attempts for QB Jordan Love in any of his eight appearances. As a result, no Green Bay pass catcher was targeted more than five times, and only Josh Jacobs (five) and Christian Watson (four) received more than three. As for Kraft, he was held without a catch for the first time in 10 games on the campaign. His next chance to get back in the box score is next Sunday against the 49ers.
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Evan Engram TE | JAC
Jaguars' Evan Engram: Does little with five catches
Engram secured five of seven targets for 28 yards in the Jaguars' 52-6 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Engram tied Brian Thomas for the team lead in receptions and targets but was a distant second in receiving yards. It was the third straight game with at least five receptions for Engram, but he's failed to top 45 receiving yards in five consecutive contests. The veteran tight end may fare better if Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) can get back under center in Week 13 against the Texans following a Week 12 bye.
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Isaiah Likely TE | BAL
Ravens' Isaiah Likely: Leading receiver in loss
Likely caught four of five targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the Steelers.
The third-year tight end led the Ravens in receiving yards and tied Justice Hill for the team lead in catches as the Steelers' defense focused on shutting down the deep passing game. Likely had missed last week's win over the Bengals due to a minor hamstring strain, but he appears fully healthy and will look to make an impact again in Week 12 against the Chargers.
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Juwan Johnson TE | NO
Saints' Juwan Johnson: Finds end zone Sunday
Johnson caught all three of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Browns.
The tight end was on the other end of a one-yard TD toss form Derek Carr in the fourth quarter. It's Johnson's second score of the season but his first since the Saints' season opener, and he has yet to reach 50 receiving yards in a game this season. Johnson will remain a TD-dependent fantasy option on the other side of New Orleans' Week 12 bye.
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Taysom Hill TE | NO
Saints' Taysom Hill: Massive day on ground in Week 11
Hill carried the ball seven times for 138 yards and three touchdowns and caught eight of 10 targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Browns. He also completed one of two passes for 18 yards with an interception and returned one kickoff for 42 yards.
The 34-year-old lived up to his Swiss Army knife reputation as he put together a career-best performance on the ground. Hill scored a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter before putting the game away in the fourth, galloping for a 33-yard score early in the final frame and a 75-yard touchdown with less than three minutes left. Hill has six rushing scores on the season, two short of his career high, and he should be heavily involved in the offense on the other side of the Saints' Week 12 bye.
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Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Catches all three targets Sunday
Oliver had three receptions on as many targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Titans.
Oliver turned in his third drop-less game over the last four weeks despite dealing with a wrist injury during practice sessions. The 27-year-old finished ahead of T.J. Hockenson as the team continues to ease the latter back from major knee surgery. Oliver is providing low-end value during the process, making him a fringe option for next Sunday's tilt at Chicago.