NFL Player News

McKitty caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

McKitty saw increased playing time Sunday with both Jared Cook (reserve/COVID-19) and Donald Parham (concussion) out for the contest. The rookie shared tight-end duties with Stephen Anderson, though McKitty played just 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps compared to Anderson's 78 percent share. McKitty, however, was more involved in the passing game, seeing three targets to Anderson's one. Parham remains on injured reserve, so if Cook isn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Week 18, McKitty will likely split reps with Anderson once again Sunday versus the Raiders.

Okwuegbunam caught both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Chargers.

Operating as the Broncos' No. 2 tight end, Okwuegbunam didn't see much work in the passing game despite being on the field for half of the Broncos' snaps on offense. Meanwhile, starter Noah Fant caught six of his seven targets for 92 yards and a touchdown, taking full advantage of the absences of starting wideouts Jerry Jeudy (illness) and Tim Patrick (illness), who were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Okwuegbunam is a young player with a lot of talent, but he'll likely continue to play second fiddle to Fant at tight end in the Broncos' Week 18 matchup with the Chiefs.

Wolf was activated from the Saints' practice squad COVID list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

The tight end was placed on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 31, missing the Saints' Week 17 win over the Panthers. Wolf will return to a healthy tight end room, greatly limiting his potential impact for Week 18.

The Eagles have activated Togiai (illness) off their reserve/COVID-19 list.

Togiai has cleared the league's health and safety protocols, and is free to return to practice ahead of the Eagle's regular-season finale Sunday versus the Cowboys.

Oliver was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Clifton Brown from the Ravens' official website reports.

The backup tight end was removed from the COVID list Tuesday and was moved to the exempt/COVID-19 list, allowing him to resume activities but not be placed on the 53-man roster. Oliver has operated as a depth option behind starter Mark Andrews all season, making just eight catches for 65 yards in 13 games this season.

Myarick was waived by the Giants on Tuesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

After playing 24 snaps in the Giants' Week 17 loss to the Bears, Myarick was let go by the team. The tight end was part of the active roster for each of the team's last seven games, catching three passes for 17 yards and a touchdown. He will now either be claimed by another team, rejoin the Giants' practice squad or enter free agency.

Hesse was signed to the Falcons' active roster Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official website reports.

The tight end was called up from the practice squad in Week 17 against the Bills and made three catches for 31 yards in the loss. Hesse appears to have impressed with his performance, securing a spot on the active roster for the Falcons' season finale against the Saints next weekend. With Hayden Hurst (illness) on the COVID list and Kyle Pitts (hamstring) banged up, the 26-year-old may be in for a substantial role in Week 18.

Hurst (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

The Falcons will get two of their key pass catchers back in Hurst and wide receiver Tajae Sharpe ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Saints, after both sat out a Week 17 loss to the Bills upon testing positive for the virus. Hurst's return in particular is vital, as top tight end Kyle Pitts could be at risk of sitting out Sunday after sustaining a hamstring injury in the third quarter of last week's game. Atlanta still has Parker Hesse and Lee Smith on hand to take reps at tight end, but Hurst has consistently worked ahead of both players when healthy and represents the biggest threat in the passing game among the trio.

Schreck (ankle) was placed on the Bengals' practice squad injured list Tuesday.

Schreck will not be eligible to practice with the team for the next three weeks, which could leave him done for the season. The four-year veteran has appeared in one game this season for the Bengals, in Week 11 against the Raiders, after having appeared in 14 games in 2020.

Fant was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report due to a quadriceps injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

While Denver had two of its three starting wideouts, Jerry Jeudy (illness) and Tim Patrick (illness), on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week, Fant took on an expanded role in the passing attack in the team's 34-13 loss to the Chargers. The tight end finished with six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, with the yardage total just five off his season-best mark. In the aftermath of the busy game, Fant is apparently banged up, but his listing as a limited participant offers hope that he'll be ready to go by the time Saturday's season finale against Kansas City arrives.