NFL Player News

Smith secured five of eight targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.

The fourth-year tight end crossed the goal line in the second quarter for the first time since Week 16 of the 2020 season after missing all of the 2021 campaign with a knee injury. Smith had the look of a budding star that season with a 30-365-5 line across 13 games, but in a previous iteration of the Vikings' offense, he may have had an uphill climb for targets. While plenty of attention is still likely to be bestowed upon wideouts Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, the fact Smith drew the second-most looks Monday night behind the former is reason for optimism that head coach Kevin O'Connell, who utilized Tyler Higbee with effectiveness during his Rams days, will continue affording Smith plenty of opportunity even with Smith having a bad drop on a potential 60-yard deep touchdown. The 24-year-old's first chance to build on his solid Week 2 effort comes against the Lions in a Week 3 home NFC North showdown.

Goedert brought in five of six targets for 82 yards in the Eagles' 24-7 win over the Vikings on Monday night.

Goedert paced the Eagles in receiving yardage and shared runner-up status in catches during what was a second straight impressive effort to open the season. The athletic tight end now has eight receptions for 142 yards over the Eagles' first pair of contests, with the 17.8 yards per catch particularly standing out and perhaps a sign of a bigger downfield role this season. Goedert will look to continue stretching the field in a Week 3 road divisional matchup against the Commanders on Sunday.

McBride notched one offensive snap and 10 plays on special teams during Sunday's 29-23 overtime victory at Las Vegas.

Despite being a second-round pick, the rookie was a healthy scratch in the season opener while all of Zach Ertz, Maxx Williams and Stephen Anderson were active and saw offensive snaps. The aforementioned trio of tight ends again mixed into the offense Sunday, but McBride was active this time for a single play. He may have a steep path to regular work as long as Ertz, Williams and Anderson are available, but McBride at least has that first snap on offense behind him.

Trautman did not receive a target while playing 33 of his 35 total snaps on offense during Sunday's 20-10 loss to Tampa Bay.

Trautman did not record a reception or target for the second straight game. Juwan Johnson finished as the clear top receiving option at tight end, hauling in four of his seven targets for 40 yards while playing 51 offensive snaps. Trautman's usage over the first two weeks of the season indicates that he's at least ahead of Nick Vannett, who has yet to suit up this season, on the depth chart.

Dwelley caught his lone target for a 38-yard touchdown in Sunday's 27-7 win over the Seahawks.

George Kittle (groin) wasn't able to suit up, and Tyler Kroft (knee) suffered an injury, so Dwelley took over as the 49ers' top receiving option at the tight end position. Seasoned backup Jimmy Garoppolo hit the veteran tight end in stride, and Dwelley fully extended to cross the plane for his first touchdown of the season. Kittle was close to playing Sunday, so his impending return will quash any excitement over Dwelley's big score. If the 49ers' star tight end is unable to go against Denver on Sunday, Dwelley would remain a non-factor in fantasy due to a low volume of potential targets.

Calcaterra (coach's decision) is inactive Monday against the Vikings.

Calcaterra will sit again in Week 2 despite making the 53-man roster. The Eagles have opted to bring Noah Togiai up from the practice squad for the second straight week to dress as the No. 3 tight end, leaving Calcaterra sidelined. The rookie tight end will continue to try and earn the chance to make his NFL debut in Week 3, when the Eagles play the Commanders.

Coach Kyle Shanahan noted Monday that Kroft will miss a few weeks with an MCL sprain, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kroft's injury is a hit to the 49ers' depth at tight end, but it appears as though starter George Kittle (groin) is trending toward a return to action Week 3. Also in the mix for complementary TE snaps once Kittle is back are Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (groin) was close to being available for the 49ers' Week 2 matchup with the Seahawks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After Kittle logged a limited practice last Friday, Shanahan said the tight end looked "awesome," and he eventually entered the weekend as questionable. In the end, Kittle was held out with the anticipation he'd be even healthier for Week 3 action. His activity level will be one to watch when the 49ers step on the field Wednesday and begin to gear up for Sunday night's contest at Denver.

Bellinger caught his lone target for a 16-yard touchdown Sunday in a 19-16 win versus the Panthers.

Bellinger logged the most snaps (42) among Giants tight ends in the victory, though Tanner Hudson led the group with three targets, two catches and 22 yards. Bellinger made the biggest impact, however, hauling in a Daniel Jones dumpoff in the third quarter and taking it 16 yards to pay dirt. Despite the score, Bellinger isn't a particularly appealing option in fantasy given that he has just one target over his first two contests.

Yeboah reverted to the Jets' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Yeboah earned the opportunity to suit up in Sunday's win over the Browns with C.J. Uzomah (hamstring) inactive. Although he only saw two snaps on offense, he did contribute regularly on special teams, earning an assisted tackle while on punt coverage. Depending on Uzomah's status for Week 3, Yeboah could earn another opportunity Sunday against the Bengals.