NFL Player News

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.

Hesse caught all three of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.

With Hayden Hurst out due to COVID-19 protocols, Hesse was elevated to the active roster for the first time since Week 13. Star rookie Kyle Pitts also left the game at the start of the second half with a hamstring injury, so with Atlanta's top two tight ends sidelined, Hesse made the most of his opportunity by setting season highs in receptions (three) and yards (31). Pitts' status for Week 18 is uncertain, but Hurst is expected to return, so Hesse's role will likely be diminished. However, Hesse appears to have jumped Lee Smith on the depth chart after the former played 37 offensive snaps to the latter's 10.

Pinkey logged 28 of 63 offensive snaps during Sunday's 51-29 loss to the Seahawks.

Pinkey was in the starting lineup with both T.J. Hockenson (finger) and Brock Wright (COVID-19) sidelined, but he was not targeted with a pass even though Detroit sent a pair of them to offensive tackles. The Vanderbilt product will not be on the fantasy radar in Week 18 against Green Bay even if Wright is unable to gain medical clearance in time.

Pruitt will have surgery on his ankle Monday and will miss extended time, John Glennon of SI.com reports.

Given how the injury looked and this subsequent prognosis, it sounds as if Pruitt is unlikely to return even later in the playoffs. He ends the regular season with 14 catches on 18 targets for 145 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Anthony Firkser should see a bump in playing time, and the Titans will likely add a third tight end to the roster shortly.

Coach Ron Rivera said Monday that Seals-Jones has entered the concussion protocol, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

Seals-Jones was taken off the field on a backboard during Sunday's loss to the Eagles and will have several steps to clear if he hopes to return for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Giants. John Bates and Sammis Reyes should see increased work against the Giants if Seals-Jones is unavailable.

Smith was on the field for 42 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 50-10 win over the Jaguars, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Despite seeing more snaps (42) in Week 17 than fellow tight end Hunter Henry (39 snaps, three catches on five targets for 37 yards), Smith was limited to one catch on his only target for 20 yards and one carry for five yards. As long as he operates in a game-flow dependent timeshare, Smith will remain a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

Henry was on the field for 39 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 50-10 win over the Jaguars en route to catching three of his five targets for 37 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Fellow tight end Jonnu Smith out-snapped (42) Henry in the contest, but he was only targeted once (for a 20-yard gain). Henry's volume and yardage totals have been sporadic of late, but he remains on the fantasy radar due to his TD potential. Through 16 games to date, he's logged a 45/517/9 stat line on 69 targets.