NFL Player News

McKitty played 35 of the Chargers' 69 offensive snaps and failed to haul in either of his two targets in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Browns.

Even though Donald Parham (hamstring) suited up for the first time all season, McKitty maintained his standing as the No. 2 tight end behind Gerald Everett. McKitty managed to clear 50 percent of the offensive snaps for the fourth time in five games, but he continued to function mostly as a blocker during his time on the field. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound McKitty is unlikely to see an expanded role in the passing attack unless Everett misses time.

Gilliam played seven of the Bills' 56 snaps on offense and didn't log a carry or target in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Steelers.

After drawing six targets between Weeks 2 and 3, Gilliam has now gone without a target in two straight games while playing only 14 snaps in total. The fullback's usage on offense is likely to wax and wane depending on how many short-yardage situations the Bills find themselves in during a given game.

Sweeney went without a target while he was on the field for 23 of the Bills' 56 offensive snaps in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Steelers.

Active for just the second time all season while top tight end Dawson Knox (foot) was sidelined, Sweeney served as the Bills' No. 2 option at the position while Quintin Morris drew the start. Morris (three receptions for 39 yards on five targets) proved to be a capable replacement for Knox as a pass catcher and should continue to see the lion's share of the snaps at tight end if Knox should miss further time.

Morris started at tight end and played 36 of the Bills' 56 offensive snaps in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Steelers, finishing with three receptions for 39 yards on five targets.

Even though Buffalo was down multiple complementary pieces in its passing attack with all of Jamison Crowder (ankle), Isaiah McKenzie (concussion), Jake Kumerow (ankle) and Dawson Knox (foot) sidelined Sunday, players like Morris, Khalil Shakir and Isaiah Hodgins shined in their most extensive NFL action to date. While filling in for Knox, Morris handily outpaced backup Tommy Sweeney (22 snaps) in field time and played a part in quarterback Josh Allen amassing 348 passing yards by halftime. Though Morris will move back into a more muted role if Knox is ready to go for a much-anticipated Week 6 showdown with Kansas City, the second-year player out of Bowling Green will be someone to consider as a streaming option if Knox should miss time at any point.

Farrell went without a target across his eight snaps on offense in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Texans.

Farrell was one of four tight ends active for Jacksonville in Week 5, with his 11 percent snap share on offense matching Dan Arnold. Considering Arnold has played 47 snaps on offense to Farrell's 14, the former still looks to be the Jaguars' clear No. 3 tight end at the moment. Even so, Farrell should still continue to avoid the inactive lists most weeks thanks to his consistent role on special teams.

Manhertz played 26 of the Jaguars' 73 offensive snaps in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Texans, finishing with two receptions for 15 yards on two targets.

After his first catch of 2022 last week against the Eagles went for no gain, Manhertz was credited with positive yardage for the first time all season Week 5. With snap shares between 28 and 48 percent through each of the Jaguars' first five games, Manhertz looks secure as the top backup to No. 1 tight end Evan Engram, but the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Manhertz will operate almost exclusively as a blocker whenever he's on the field.

Arnold was on the field for eight of the Jaguars' 73 offensive snaps in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Texans, finishing with a 20-yard reception on two targets.

After working as the Jaguars' top tight end for a six-game stretch in 2021, Arnold has slid down the depth chart in 2022 due to Jacksonville's offseason pickup of Evan Engram. Even though Engram owns a modest 19-168-0 receiving line on 26 targets through the Jaguars' first five games, Arnold doesn't look as though he's gaining much traction in his bid to supplant him as Jacksonville's starter. While playing fewer than 20 percent of the Jaguars' offensive snaps in all but one of the first five games, Arnold has drawn just four targets.

Bates caught each of his three targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 21-17 loss to Tennessee.

Bates filled in for Logan Thomas (calf) as the starter but played only 59 percent of snaps, slightly more than third-string TE Cole Turner, who logged 51 percent and finished without a catch on three targets. Turner got a lot of the playing time in obvious passing situations in his NFL debut, and he might get that chance again Week 6 against the Bears if Thomas isn't ready.

Heyward secured both of his targets for 12 yards during the Steelers' 38-3 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

Heyward wasn't targeted over the first four weeks of the season, and he totaled just six offensive snaps during that time. However, he saw a slight uptick in playing time in Week 5 since the Steelers faced a significant deficit and Pat Freiermuth (concussion) exited the game. It's possible that Heyward sees slightly increased usage if Freiermuth misses additional time, but the rookie sixth-rounder remains behind Zach Gentry on the Steelers' depth chart.

Gentry secured five of six targets for 43 yards during the Steelers' 38-3 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

The 2019 fifth-rounder saw an uptick in playing time after Pat Freiermuth (concussion) exited the game, and Gentry performed fairly well with his increased opportunities. He had totaled just two receiving yards over Pittsburgh's prior three games, but he should serve as the team's top tight end if Freiermuth is forced to miss additional time.