NFL Player News

Hesse secured his only target for 22 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Browns.

Hesse's lone reception came on the team's second offensive possession and set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Patterson. The backup tight end actually out-snapped Kyle Pitts 48 to 34 as Atlanta leaned on its run game in the second half. That trend is unlikely to continue, but it does show the confidence the Falcons have in Hesse as a run blocker. Across four games, Hesse has caught three of four targets for 32 yards while playing over 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps in each contest.

Tonyan was targeted twice and caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 overtime victory over the Patriots.

After increasing the previous two weeks, Tonyan's snap count percentage declined in Week 4, but he made the most of his opportunities and found the end zone for the first time in nearly a year. He remains the top pass catcher among Packers tight ends, and with Sunday's showing following a game in which he garnered seven targets, he is giving fantasy players more reason to look his way.

Sample (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, Sample will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering damage to his MCL and PCL in his right knee Sept. 18 versus the Cowboys. The 26-year-old has a chance to return in early December, though that seems unlikely. Mitchell Wilcox will replace Sample as the top reserve option behind Hayden Hurst at tight end for the time being.

Pitts caught one of four targets for 25 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Browns.

Pitts played a season-low 62 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he still finished second on the team in targets behind Drake London (two catches on seven targets for 17 yards). Regardless, the second-year tight end's production was certainly disappointing after he caught five of eight targets for 87 yards -- all season highs -- during the team's Week 3 win over the Seahawks. Through four games, Pitts has caught 10 of 22 targets for 150 yards, and he's still only secured one touchdown across 21 career games.

Akins caught two of two targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Chargers.

Akins was up from the practice squad for a second consecutive week due to injuries to Pharaoh Brown (hip) and Brevin Jordan (ankle). O.J. Howard was the starting tight end and led the position group in snaps, but Akins, who was part of the team last season, has system knowledge and could step into a larger role if necessary.

Bryant caught four of six targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to Atlanta.

Bryant, who went untargeted in Week 3 while he nursed thumb and thigh injuries, was back in the rotation. His six looks were a season high, and Bryant has 14 targets (three in the red zone) over four games.

Kelce had nine receptions (10 targets) for 92 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-31 win over Tampa Bay.

Kelce put on a clinic against the Buccaneers' elite linebacking unit, scoring a touchdown 43 seconds into the contest while extending multiple drives with clutch receptions. The superstar tight end has lived up to that label, racking up 26 receptions, 322 yards and three touchdowns through four contests. He did appear to tweak something in the first half but promptly returned to action a few plays later. Kelce remains Patrick Mahomes' most-trusted receiver heading into a divisional matchup against the Raiders next Monday.

Okonkwo recorded three receptions on three targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 victory over the Colts.

Okonkwo had one catch across the first three games of his rookie season. However, Austin Hooper was dealing with a neck injury throughout the week, which may have opened the door for Okonkwo to serve in a bigger role in the Titans' offense. Okonkwo took advantage by catching his first career touchdown on an eight-yard reception midway through the second quarter. He also chipped in a long gain of 23 yards that led to a Derrick Henry touchdown run. It may be premature to say Okonkwo has taken over as Tennessee's top tight end, but he flashed his potential against the Colts.

Bellinger recorded three catches on three targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 20-12 win over the Bears.

Bellinger's production won't jump off the stat sheet, but he tied for the team lead with three targets and led the team in receptions and yards. The Giants attempted only 16 passes in the game, limiting the potential production of all pass catchers. However, Bellinger appears to be developing some rapport with Daniel Jones (ankle), as he's tallied seven catches for 63 yards combined across his last two games.

Waller caught three of five targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 32-23 win over the Broncos.

Davante Adams dominated the Las Vegas passing game and was on the other end of almost 54 percent of Derek Carr's passing yards, but Waller's usage remains disappointing after he signed a big contract extension right before the season began. He's seen six targets or less in three of four games so far and has managed only 48 yards over the last two contests, but the tight end may need to step up his production significantly in Week 5 against Kansas City.