NFL Player News

Firsker recorded five receptions on seven targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 22-13 loss to the Texans.

Firkser benefitted from the absence of Geoff Swaim (concussion) to climb the tight end depth chart for Tennessee. His five receptions were a season high, and the game marked the first time he's posted multiple catches since Week 5. It remains to be seen whether this performance will keep Firkser more involved in the game plan moving forward, though he would likely benefit should Swaim remain sidelined for a Week 12 matchup against New England.

Brown caught two of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 22-13 win over Tennessee.

Brown missed the previous two games with a thigh injury but was able to get back on the field after Houston's bye in Week 10. His return led to the Texans making fellow veteran Jordan Akins inactive, a sign the organization has pivoted toward the future. Brown, if healthy, should have a safe role the rest of the season because he's a better blocker than Akins or Brevin Jordan, and developing a running identity has been head coach David Culley's goal all season.

Jordan caught one of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 22-13 win over the Titans.

With Pharaoh Brown (thigh) returning to action, the Texans made veteran Jordan Akins inactive while the rookie Jordan stayed on the active roster. The Texans appear to have shifted focus following the team's bye in Week 10. Jordan and Akins are similarly skilled tight ends, and it makes sense for Houston to get a read on the rookie from here on out.

Bryant was not targeted over 31 snaps in Sunday's 13-10 win over Detroit.

The Browns relied heavily on running back Nick Chubb, as quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder/knee/foot) was ineffective while playing through a number of injuries. That left few opportunities to be spread amongst the receiving corps. This was the third time in 11 games without a target for Bryant, and the fourth game without a catch. With just 18 targets through 11 contests, Bryant is well off the pace he set during his rookie 2020 season, when he was thrown to 38 times in 15 games.

Njoku caught two of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Lions.

The downfield passing game suffered due to the inconsistency of the injured Baker Mayfield (shoulder/knee/foot). The quarterback was booed after missing badly on a throw to Njoku with just over five minutes left. Unfortunately for the tight end, not to mention the rest of the team's receivers, that's the state of Cleveland's offense right now. The passing game is abysmal, and other giving Mayfield time to heal his wounds, there doesn't appear to be a fix in sight. A healthy Nick Chubb is Cleveland's best weapon. Since a Week 5 breakout performance, Njoku has caught 10 of 18 targets for 112 yards and one touchdown over six games.

Cager played one snap and was not targeted in Sunday's 13-10 win over Detroit.

Cager and Ja'Marcus Bradley were signed off the practice squad, as the Browns rolled without Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) and Anthony Schwartz (concussion) against the Lions. Bradley (55 snaps) was the clear beneficiary of the opportunity. Should only one of the injured receivers return next Monday in Baltimore, then Cager would be the first removal from the active roster.

Freiermuth had four receptions (seven targets) for 11 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-37 loss to the Chargers.

Freiermuth saved what would have been a dreadful fantasy performance with a five-yard touchdown reception in the final minutes of a wild Sunday Night Football matchup. Fellow tight end Eric Ebron also hit pay dirt, but he finished with four fewer targets than Freiermuth. The rookie tight end doesn't have a ton of upside -- especially with Ebron back in the mix -- but Freiermuth does have utility as a red-zone target with four touchdowns over the last four weeks. Up next is a matchup against the Bengals next Sunday.

Kelce caught five of eight targets for 74 yards and took his only carry for a four-yard touchdown in Sunday's 19-9 win over the Cowboys.

The tight end had a respectable showing through the air and boosted his production with his second career rushing TD in the first quarter -- coincidentally, the first one also came on a four-yard run back in 2019. Kelce has already topped 800 receiving yards on the season, and he'll get a well-deserved rest over a Week 12 bye as he steams toward his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign.

Schultz caught six of eight targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 19-9 loss to Kansas City.

While Michael Gallup led the Cowboys with 10 targets, Schultz was Dak Prescott's most reliable option and tied for the team lead in catches while leading in receiving yards. The six grabs also tied his season high, and with Amari Cooper (COVID-19) already ruled out for a Thanksgiving Day game against the Raiders and CeeDee Lamb (concussion) potentially unavailable as well, the tight end could be in line for big volume.

Waller caught seven of eight targets for 116 yards in Sunday's 32-13 loss to the Bengals.

The tight end accounted for over half of Derek Carr's passing yards on the day as Waller hit triple digits for the first time since Week 1. He might have had an even bigger performance from a fantasy perspective, but No. 2 TE Foster Moreau was on the other end of a 19-yard score from Carr in the fourth quarter instead. Waller has an 18-232-0 line on 26 targets in three games since the Raiders' bye, and he'll look to carry that momentum into a Thanksgiving Day clash with the Cowboys.