NFL Player News

Hollister caught one of three targets for six yards in Sunday's 26-23 win over the 49ers.

Despite returning in Week 16, Greg Olsen (foot) was inactive Sunday after enduring a "flare up." In turn, Hollister logged 41 of 65 snaps on offense, eight behind Will Dissly, who reeled in a 20-yard reception. Even if Olsen is able to return for Saturday's playoff game against the Rams, there's virtually no chance that he handles a full workload. Hollister's role should be safe, although that doesn't mean much for his fantasy value. In five games without Olsen this year, Hollister posted a 9-74-1 line.

Akins caught one of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Titans.

Akins, who was Houston's third-most targeted receiver in 2020, was sixth among the seven receivers targeted Sunday. He finished the season with 49 targets, 37 passes, 403 yards and one touchdown. Akins emerged as the Texans' primary tight end in 2020 and has one year left on his contract. The makeup of next season's team depends on the whims of what will be a new general manager and head coach, but Akins should return in a fairly significant role in 2021.

Brown caught five of five targets for 48 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Titans.

Brown recorded season highs in targets, catches and yards, topping Houston's crowded tight end position. While Jordan Akins was considered the primary receiver among the tight ends and Darren Fells his backup, Brown took on a higher profile over the second half of the season. He finished with career highs in targets (16), receptions (14), yards (163) and touchdowns (two). The Texans like Brown's versatility, lining him up at fullback and split wide at times, but the 26-year-old becomes a restricted free agent this offseason while Akins and Fells are still under contract.

Thomas had three receptions (six targets) for 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-14 win over the Eagles.

Thomas was able to hit pay dirt to salvage what would have been a lackluster finale to the regular season. The tight end saw his targets come back down to earth with the return of Alex Smith (six compared to 27 over the previous two weeks), but a trip to the end zone makes up for the dip in volume. The 28-year-old has handled his first full year of significant action well, posting 72 receptions, 670 yards and six scores as Washington's primary tight end this year. Thomas has put himself on the fantasy map, and could see his stock rise next season if the team upgrades its situation under center.

Parham caught three of his four targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in the 38-21 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Parham again got the start with Hunter Henry on the reserve/COVID-19 list and put together a second consecutive respectable outing. The former XFL tight end concludes his first campaign in the NFL with 10 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, but the 6-foot-8 behemoth should be poised for at minimum a depth role next year after having to fight for a roster spot entering the 2020 campaign.

Firkser recorded two receptions on two targets for 18 yards in Week 17 against the Texans.

Firkser was the only Titans receiver besides Corey Davis and A.J. Brown to record multiple receptions. However, the performance continued the trend of Firkser occupying only a small role in the offense, as he closed the season with five receptions in his final four games. Overall, Firkser managed his best season as a receiver, setting career-best marks in receptions, receiving yardage and targets. Firkser is set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason, but he will first look to help the team make a playoff run, beginning with a matchup against Baltimore in the wild-card round.

Waller caught nine of 10 targets for 117 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 32-31 win over the Broncos. He also caught the game-winning two-point conversion.

The tight end was nearly unstoppable over the final five weeks of the season, piling up a 43-654-4 line on 55 targets, and Waller wraps up 2020 with career highs in catches (107), yards (1,196) and TDs (10). The 28-year-old has emerged the last two years as Derek Carr's favorite option in the Raiders passing game, and while the team's crop of young wideouts could take a big step forward next year, Waller still figures to be the team's most dangerous receiver.

Smith tallied one reception on two targets for eight yards in Week 17 against the Texans.

Ryan Tannehill targeted only five players all game, yet the tight end corps commanded only four total targets. That limited Smith to one reception, his fourth game with one or fewer receptions on the season. Though inconsistent, Smith took another small step forward in his fourth professional campaign, racking up career-best marks in receptions, yards, targets and touchdowns despite missing one game. Smith's rookie contract will expire at the conclusion of the 2020 season, but for now his focus will remain on the team's upcoming playoff matchup against the Ravens.

Kittle had seven receptions (nine targets) for 68 yards in Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Seahawks.

Kittle has dealt with multiple lower leg injuries in 2020, so his full participation in an inconsequential Week 17 tilt indicates that he is back at full strength heading into the offseason. The star tight end finishes the campaign with 48 receptions, 634 yards, two scores and a solid 76.2 catch rate in the eight games he participated in. The injury-shortened season could result in the 26-year-old coming at a bit of a discount in next year's drafts, as healthy elite options such as Travis Kelce and Darren Waller should come off the board before him. Kittle should resume contending for the title of top tight end in fantasy if he can stay healthy next year, especially with improved quarterback play in the form of a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) or an option from outside the organization.

Wesco didn't touch the ball in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Patriots and finishes the season with a five-yard catch on two targets and one rushing attempt for no gain.

The fullback and depth tight end worked almost exclusively in a blocking role and has just five touches through two NFL seasons. Wesco, whom the Jets selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, will likely remain on the roster next season but is unlikely to see his role grow much.