NFL Player News

Kieft brought in his only target for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night.

The rookie tight end was impressive on his first pro reception, and he logged just nine snaps from scrimmage overall along with 17 on special teams. Kieft's catch aside, the sixth-round pick's primary role on offense will continue to be as a blocker unless injuries strike multiple players in front of him at tight end.

Otton secured three of four targets for 29 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to Kansas City on Sunday night.

The rookie set new career highs across the board after logging his first pro reception in Week 3. Otton's offensive snaps have seen a modest increase through his first three NFL games, going from 30 in Week 1 to 39 in this one, although he was inactive in Week 3. He could continue to see his role expand in a Week 5 home matchup against the Falcons.

Holtz reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Holtz was activated from New Orleans' practice squad for the first time in 2022 on Sunday, playing 11 offensive snaps as the team's third-string tight end behind Adam Trautman (39) and Juwan Johnson (29). However, the 29-year-old did not receive a target and was flagged for an offensive holding penalty against the Vikings. Holtz also played seven special-teams snaps, and he can now be elevated from the Saints' practice squad for two more games this season.

Higbee caught 10 of 14 targets for 73 yards in Monday's 24-9 loss to the 49ers.

Higbee finished second to Cooper Kupp in targets, catches and receiving yards while totaling more catches and yards than the rest of the team combined. With Allen Robinson struggling to build chemistry with Matthew Stafford, Higbee has emerged as the Rams' second-most reliable target heading into a Week 5 matchup with the Cowboys, though Kupp should continue to see the lion's share of targets most weeks.

Kittle caught two of four targets for 24 yards in Monday's 24-9 win over the Rams.

Kittle wasn't targeted in the first half as San Francisco got lengthy touchdowns from Jeff Wilson (32-yard run) and Deebo Samuel (57-yard catch). The standout tight end was more involved after halftime, securing a 20-yard catch and later narrowly missing a short touchdown by failing to get his feet in-bounds. Playing without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and later losing Williams' replacement Colton McKivitz (knee), the 49ers relied more on Kittle's blocking prowess than his pass-catching ability, and that could wind up being the case again in Week 5 against the Panthers.

Swaim was not targeted in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Colts.

Swaim played 40 offensive snaps, which led the Titans' tight end corps. However, he failed to command a target, which isn't all that surprising given his primary duties are as a blocker. Through four games this season, Swaim has six receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Hooper recorded one catch on one target for four yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Colts.

Hooper played only 20 offensive snaps, half the mark of Geoff Swaim. More concerning was the increased snap rate for Chigoziem Okonkwo, who played 13 offensive snaps and also caught his first career touchdown. Hooper is likely to remain the Titans' top pass-catching tight end from a playing time perspective for a significant portion of the season, but he has only five receptions for 48 yards across four games.

Johnson recorded three receptions (on four targets) for 33 yards during Sunday's 28-25 loss to the Vikings.

Johnson played a season-low 29 (of 60) offensive snaps behind Adam Trautman (39), who recorded three receptions for 37 yards as the Saints' starting tight end Sunday. The 6-foot-4 Johnson still received one more target from starting quarterback Andy Dalton compared to Trautman, and the two tight ends registered their largest combined receiving effort of the season with starting wideout Michael Thomas (foot) out Week 4. Johnson now has recorded at least two catches and four targets in all but one game through four weeks, but he has yet to bring in a receiving touchdown this season.

Trautman hauled in all three of his targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 28-25 loss to the Vikings.

Trautman recorded season highs in catches and yards while playing his highest percentage of the Saints' offensive snaps (65) through four weeks. The 25-year-old also led the team's tight end corps in offensive snaps played (39 of 60) ahead of Juwan Johnson (29) and J.P. Holtz (11), the latter of whom was elevated from the practice squad for Week 4. With Michael Thomas (foot) out and banged-up wideouts Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave both limited to under 68 percent of New Orleans' offensive snaps, starting quarterback Andy Dalton spread seven of his 28 pass attempts between Trautman and Johnson. Trautman caught his lone target for nine yards over the previous three weeks, and his production likely will take a hit once Thomas returns.

Schreck reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Schreck was elevated from Houston's practice squad for the first time this season after signing with the team in late August. With Pharaoh Brown (hip/shoulder) and Brevin Jordan (ankle) both inactive Week 4, the 28-year-old played 19 of his team's 57 offensive snaps behind tight ends O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins. Schreck ultimately hauled in his lone target for zero yards, and he will be eligible for two more elevations to the active roster while with the Texans this season.