NFL Player News

Ertz gathered in seven of nine targets for 41 yards during Sunday's 25-22 win at Dallas.

Ertz continues to be heavily involved in the offense since DeAndre Hopkins (knee) was lost for the rest of the regular season following Week 14. Over the past three games, Ertz has been targeted 33 times, resulting in a 21-169-0 receiving line. Ertz also led all Cardinals skill-position players not named Kyler Murray by logging 69 of 76 offensive snaps Sunday. Considering his workload, Ertz remains a viable option for Week 18, especially against a Seahawks defense that has given up 10 total touchdowns (tied for third most in the NFL) and 7.9 yards per target (ninth most) to tight ends this season.

Stoll has been placed on the Eagles' reserve/COVID-19 list.

As was the Eagles' top tight end Dallas Goedert, so until one or both players are able to clear the league's COVID-19 protocols, Tyree Jackson is the Eagles' top available option at the position, with Richard Rodgers currently on the team's practice squad.

The Eagles placed Goedert (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Goedert's placement on the list was expected after Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Monday that the tight end was one of a dozen Eagles players who were positive for the virus during the team's latest round of testing. In addition to Goedert, Jack Stoll, his top backup, also is on the COVID-19 list, temporarily leaving Tyree Jackson as the only healthy tight end on the Eagles' active roster. Goedert still will have a chance to exit the NFL's COVID-19 protocol prior to Saturday's game against the Cowboys so long as he shows diminished symptoms of the virus in the days to come.

Thomas caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Saints.

Thomas paced the Panthers in receiving yards while teammate Tommy Tremble wasn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. His output was fueled by a 21-yard reception on Carolina's opening drive, gaining more yardage on that play than he'd posted in 11 individual games this season. In playing nearly 90 percent of the offensive snaps Sunday, Thomas again would stand to benefit should Tremble remain sidelined Week 18 versus the Buccaneers, but his upside nonetheless is relatively restricted overall.

Pruitt (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Pruitt suffered a severe ankle injury Sunday against the Dolphins and was scheduled for surgery Monday, so it's no surprise he landed on injured reserve. Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser are the remaining tight ends on Tennessee's active roster, so the team is likely to add another tight end for depth in the near future with Pruitt expected out until next season.

Goedert is one of roughly 12 Eagles players who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Assuming the Eagles are able to verify his positive test result, Goedert is expected to go on the reserve/COVID-19 list before the team resumes practicing Tuesday ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys. Due to the NFL's updated COVID-19 return-to-play protocols that allows players who test positive to rejoin their teams in shorter periods of time, Goedert still could have a chance to suit up Saturday. The tight end has taken on a heightened role in the Philadelphia passing attack over the team's past four games, generating a 21-339-2 receiving line on 26 targets.

The Bears activated Horsted (illness) off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Horstead tested positive for the virus and has been sidelined since Dec. 22. The backup tight end has yet to play over two offensive snaps in a game this season, so his return to the active roster shouldn't impact the Bears' offensive game plan.

Trautman was not targeted with a pass during Sunday's 18-10 win over the Panthers.

Trautman logged 83 percent of the offensive snaps but was never targeted with a pass. While he consistently has logged a lion's share of the playing time when healthy this year, his only decent fantasy performance came Week 11 against the Eagles defense, which is league worst versus tight ends. Otherwise, Trautman hasn't been worthy of much attention in the fantasy realm, and it should remain that way Week 18 against Atlanta.

Farrell caught one of two targets for seven yards during Sunday's 50-10 loss to the Patriots.

Farrell received the start and played 72 percent of the offensive snaps with James O'Shaughnessy (hip) sidelined, though it didn't result in much involvement in the passing game. It was Farrell's first reception since Week 8, and he's unlikely to be a significant factor in the passing game in the season finale versus the Colts even if he sees a similar snap count.

Manhertz failed to catch his only target during Sunday's 50-10 loss at New England.

Manhertz played only 16 of 47 offensive snaps with James O'Shaughnessy (hip) sidelined, as Luke Farrell operated as the No. 1 tight end Sunday. Manhertz has only six receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown through 16 games and clearly is an afterthought in Jacksonville's passing game.