NFL Player News

Smith (hip) caught four of five targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 25-6 win over the Jets.

Smith suited up after battling a hip injury during the week. James White and Jakobi Meyers tied for the team lead in targets while Smith checked in third in the category, just ahead of fellow tight end Hunter Henry (four). The Patriots have just one passing touchdown heading into a Week 3 date with the Saints, as New England's formula for winning games revolves around the defense and running game.

Arnold caught three of four targets for 55 yards in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Saints.

The tight end didn't see much target volume against his former club, but Arnold made his chances count, hauling in passes of 19, 19 and 17 yards in the first half to help the Panthers build a 17-0 lead. After a quiet showing in Carolina's opener, the Sam Darnold-D. Arnold connection appears to be gaining some momentum heading into Thursday's clash with a Texans defense that just coughed up 11 catches for 107 yards to Cleveland's tight ends.

Hooper secured all five targets for 40 yards in the Browns' 31-21 win over the Texans on Sunday.

All three of the Browns' tight ends saw expanded roles Sunday with Odell Beckham (knee) once again out of action and Jarvis Landry (knee) exiting the game in the first quarter. Hooper led his position group in catches and targets, although Harrison Bryant outpaced him in yardage by nine. The veteran has a solid 8-67-0 line on eight targets through his first two games, but both Bryant and David Njoku are more athletic downfield threats. Nevertheless, Hooper could be in for another relatively busy afternoon against the Bears in Week 3 if Beckham and/or Landry are sidelined.

Kittle corralled all four of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 17-11 win over the Eagles.

Kittle was unable to break off any of his signature YAC runs in this one, as Philadelphia's fast defense was quick to take him down on all four of his receptions. The star tight end hasn't gotten off to the start fantasy owners were hoping for, totaling just eight receptions (nine targets) for 95 yards and no touchdowns through two contests. The positive news is that Kittle appears to be healthy, so there will be better days ahead for the unique weapon in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. Perhaps a home matchup against the Packers under the lights of Sunday Night Football will be the game we see Kittle finally break out.

Kmet caught his only target for no gain in the Bears' 20-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

With the Bears leading for most of the game, they threw the ball just 24 times, and Kmet was the only Bears tight end to see a pass come his way. After being targeted seven times in Week 1, fantasy managers can likely expect him to be more active in future weeks, but he's yet to show signs of being a reliable weekly fantasy option.

Firkser (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Firkser logged limited work Wednesday and Thursday, but his absence from practice Friday set the stage for Sunday's inactive status. In his absence, added tight end snaps are available for Geoff Swaim, MyCole Pruitt and perhaps Tommy Hudson, but all three players profile as Week 2 fantasy darts while working in Tennessee's RB/WR-driven attack.

Hopkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Colts, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hopkins has slipped down the tight end depth chart behind Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt and Jacob Harris. As a result, it may take an injury for him to see game action in upcoming contests.

Long (coach's decision) is listed as inactive ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bills.

Long is a healthy scratch Sunday after Adam Shaheen was activated from the COVID-19 list this week. The rookie registered 23 total snaps (18 offensive) during his first NFL action against the Patriots in Week 1.

Brown (ankle/shoulder) is active Week 2 against Cleveland.

Brown ended up with a questionable tag after logging a limited practice Friday, but it won't prevent the second-year Texan from taking the field against the Browns. In what was a positive game script for Houston in Week 1 against the Jaguars, the 6-foot-6 tight end was second among all pass catchers in snap share, ultimately hauling in four passes on five targets for 67 yards.

Smith (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Smith, who was added to the Patriots' Week 2 injury report Thursday, was able to practice in a limited fashion Friday, setting the stage for him to suit up Sunday. As long as he avoids any setbacks, look for Smith to once again combine with Hunter Henry to form a 1-2 punch in an offense that figures to utilize plenty of two tight-end sets when both players are available. In New England's Week 1 loss to Miami, Smith logged 55 of a possible 75 snaps on offense, en route to hauling in all five of his targets for 42 yards, while Henry was on the field for 54 snaps, catching his three targets for 31 yards. With a time-share in play, the duo's weekly target volume will be difficult to predict, but steady playing time should be on tap for the key offseason free-agent acquisitions, health permitting.