NFL Player News

Smith caught just one of his three targets for three yards in Saturday's 27-17 loss to Indianapolis.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Smith logged 17 of a possible 68 snaps in the contest, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry was on the field for 55 snaps, en route to catching six of his eight targets for 77 yards and two TDs. Back-to-back one-catch efforts doesn't inspire much confidence in Smith as a Week 16 fantasy option, but if the Patriots' wideout depth is compromised this weekend -- which is possible -- the team may need to focus more attention on its tight end duo versus Buffalo on Sunday.

Fortson (Achilles) was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Forston has cleared protocols and can return to the team facility. However, the 26-year-old is still expected to miss the rest of the season due to a torn Achilles, so this move was simply procedural.

Wells (hand) was activated from injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Wells has only appeared in one game for Arizona this season, registering just one offensive snap during the contest. Now that he's healthy, the depth tight end is expected to compete with Demetrius Harris and Darrell Daniels for snaps behind Zach Ertz.

James will remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list and won't be available for Monday's game against the Vikings, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

The reserve tight end is one of 14 members of the Bears roster or practice squad who won't suit up Monday after being placed on the list in recent days. James had drawn just one target over the Bears' last five games, so his absence will likely go unnoticed for fantasy purposes.

The Chiefs placed Kelce on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kelce is vaccinated, which means his placement on the list is the result of a positive test. Due the NFL's new COVID-19 return-to-play protocols, Kelce could be cleared in advance of Sunday's game against the Steelers if he's asymptomatic of the virus. For the time being, however, Kansas City's available tight ends are Blake Bell and Noah Gray.

Pruitt recorded one catch on one target for one yard in Sunday's 19-13 loss to Pittsburgh.

Pruitt was on the field for 34 percent of offensive snaps, good for second among the team's tight ends. However, his involvement in the passing game was minimal, and he has now been limited to one or fewer receptions in his last six contests.

Swaim recorded one catch on two targets for five yards in Sunday's 19-13 loss to Pittsburgh.

Swaim led Tennessee's tight ends with 59 (74 percent) offensive snaps. However, he wasn't utilized heavily in the passing game and had to split targets with both Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt. Swaim has been limited to only one catch in three of his last four games.

Cager (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Raiders, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Cager was signed to the Browns' active roster ahead of Week 15, but he'll be a healthy scratch against Las Vegas. Since Jarvis Landry (illness) will be sidelined, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and Anthony Schwartz are in line to serve as the team's top receivers.

Bryant (ankle) is listed as active for Monday's game against the Raiders, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

With Austin Hooper on the reserve/COVID-19 list, look for David Njoku to head the Browns' tight ends corps Monday. However, as long as his ankle holds up, Bryant -- who was inactive Week 14 -- is a candidate to see targets from fill-in QB Nick Mullens, with Miller Forristall in reserve. In that context, Bryant profiles as a lineup option for those scrambling for a plug-in at this stage of the week.

Seals-Jones (illness) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Eagles.

A non-COVID-19-related illness kept Seals-Jones from practicing Sunday, but he returned to the field as a full participant Monday. Though he'll still carry a designation into the Week 15 contest, Seals-Jones' ability to put in a full practice bodes well for his chances of gaining clearance for Tuesday's game. If active, Seals-Jones presumably will start at tight end, but he'll likely have to split work at tight end with rookie John Bates, who has made a push for more playing time in the second half of the season.