NFL Player News

Smith didn't catch either of his two targets and played on just 19 of of the offense's 62 snaps in Sunday's win against Green Bay. He came off the bench while Johnny Mundt got the start. "I missed a lot of camp," Smith told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We didn't want to kind of rush me into things too much. Just wanted to get a feel and keep building on it."

Smith didn't have much of a role on offense because he was eased into action after Aug. 2 thumb surgery and after missing last season due to a knee injury. His role in the offense should increase, but it's not clear if he'll move into a starting spot Week 2.

Deguara was targeted twice and caught two passes for 28 yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

Both of Deguara's receptions led to first downs, but they also both came on the Packers' final drive with backup quarterback Jordan Love at the helm. Deguara had a chance to open the season in a more prominent role with fellow tight end Robert Tonyan recovering from a knee injury, but with Tonyan not only taking the field but starting Week 1, expect Deguara to continue working as a reserve.

Woods played on eight of the offense's 92 snaps and was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's overtime tie at Houston.

Woods had a small role on offense and was clearly behind Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson. The 2022 third-round draft pick will be a developmental project this season.

Smith was on the field for 39 of a possible 57 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Dolphins, en route catching three of his four targets for 33 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Given that the Patriots currently aren't rostering a fullback, the team figures to feature plenty of two-tight end sets this coming season, as evidenced by the fact that Hunter Henry (two catches for 20 yards) logged 44 snaps Week 1. With that in mind, both Smith and Henry should see steady playing time in the weeks ahead, but with a TE timeshare in play, Smith is going to be a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

Granson had three receptions for 22 yards on seven targets in Sunday's tie at Houston.

While Mo Alie-Cox started at tight end and Granson began on the bench, it was an encouraging game for his role in the offense. Granson was tied for second on the team in targets and played more snaps (51 of the offenses 92 snaps) than Cox (50). He also went out for more passes than Cox (30-20). Granson could become the top receiving tight end in Indy if one game is any indication.

Henry logged 44 of a possible 57 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Dolphins en route to catching two of his three targets for 20 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Jonnu Smith was out there for 39 snaps, catching three of his four targets for 33 yards. With the Patriots not rostering a fullback, the team figures to feature plenty of two-tight end sets this coming season. In that context, both Henry and Smith should see steady playing time, but as long as there's a timeshare in play, Henry -- who recorded a 50-603-9 stat line in 2021 -- looks like a TD-dependent fantasy option.

Alie-Cox had two receptions for 26 yards on two targets in Sunday's tie at Houston.

Alie-Cox played on 50 of the offense's 92 snaps but went out for a pass on just 20 snaps. He started at tight end but played fewer snaps than Kylen Granson (51) and went out on fewer pass routes (30-20). Alie-Cox still could be a big factor in the red zone given he's 6-foot-5, but his lack of targets in a game where Matt Ryan attempted 50 passes is discouraging.

Manhertz played 25 of 70 offensive snaps and wasn't targeted during Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Commanders.

The 30-year-old worked as the Jaguars' No. 2 tight end behind starter Evan Engram but didn't have any involvement in the passing game. Manhertz played in all 17 games last year but totaled only six catches for 71 yards and one touchdown, and he's opened 2022 by once again working as a block-first tight end.

Lewis was not targeted in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

Lewis -- along with Robert Tonyan -- was one of two Packers tight ends to start the opener, and he wound up leading all Packers tight ends with 23 snaps. However, Lewis was limited to blocking duties only and did not see a pass in his direction. The 38-year-old will continue seeing snaps, but don't expect him to contribute to your fantasy team.

Hooper caught one of his two targets for six yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Giants.

Hooper was out-snapped, 45-40, in Week 1 by fellow tight Geoff Swaim, who caught three of his four targets for 19 yards. Although the 27-year-old Hooper reportedly established solid chemistry with quarterback Ryan Tannehill this offseason, his modest involvement in the passing game Week 1 is somewhat discouraging. Hooper's next chance to get more involved in the Titans' passing game arrives next Monday when the team travels to Buffalo.