NFL Player News

Trautman reeled in both of his targets for 45 yards in the Saints' 52-33 win over the Vikings on Friday.

Most of Trautman's production came on a 41-yard grab, but he was otherwise uninvolved. Trautman has little scoring upside, and the timeshare with Jared Cook leaves the former off the fantasy radar in most formats.

Hill completed both of his pass attempts for eight yards, rushed five times for 18 yards and a touchdown, and secured his only target for 19 yards in the Saints' 52-33 win over the Vikings on Friday.

Hill once again played his jack-of-all-trades role with efficacy, recording a rushing touchdown for the second straight game and seventh time this season. Hill also put the ball up for the first time since his starting quarterback stint in place of Drew Brees came to an end Week 14. Hill could potentially see time in all three offensive roles again during a Week 17 road season finale versus the Panthers.

Smith secured six of nine targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints on Friday.

The second-year tight end posted season highs in receptions and targets while also tying a personal best with his touchdown grabs of two and four yards in the third quarter. Smith has come on over the second half of the season, having recorded multiple grabs in five consecutive contests while also posting all five of his scoring catches during that stretch. The 2019 second-round pick will look to close out the season in strong fashion versus a Lions defense he found the end zone twice against back in Week 9 in a Week 17 rematch.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Parham will start at tight end if Hunter Henry isn't removed from the COVID-19 list for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

With Henry looking unlikely to play, Parham and Stephen Anderson are the only tight ends on the roster. The Chargers may promote Matt Sokol from the practice squad before Sunday's game, but Parham still will be the favorite to get targets. The 6-foot-8 tight end had 307 yards and four touchdowns in five XFL games earlier this year, but he's caught just five of 15 targets for 75 yards and two TDs for the Chargers, averaging 12.5 offensive snaps in 11 appearances.

Henry isn't likely to be removed from the COVID-19 reserve list in time for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Nick Kosmider and Daniel Popper of The Athletic report.

Henry was listed on the Wednesday injury report with an illness and later placed on the COVID-19 list. Coach Anthony Lynn said Donald Parham will fill in as the starting tight end if Henry isn't able to play.

Helm was promoted to the 49ers' active roster from the practice squad Friday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 25-year-old was also elevated to the active roster Week 15 and played 21 offensive snaps, though he didn't receive a target. Helm figures to play even more of a depth role this weekend with George Kittle (foot) back from injured reserve.

The 49ers activated Kittle (foot) from injured reserve Friday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle missed the past six games due to a fractured cuboid bone in his foot that he suffered Nov. 1. The 49ers' receiving corps has been depleted, with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) not expected to play Week 16 or 17, Trent Taylor (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list and two others on IR. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle will be under a "snap count" Saturday in Arizona, but it remains to be seen how exactly the tight end will be utilized.

Bell (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 29-year-old was added to the injury report Thursday with the non-COVID-19 illness, and his status for Sunday remains in question. Sean McKeon would serve as Dallas' secondary tight end behind Dalton Schultz if Bell is unable to play this weekend.

Sternberger (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Titans, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old will be sidelined for the third straight game due to the concussion. Sternberger has yet to practice in any capacity since suffering the concussion Week 13, so his status for Week 17 also remains in doubt.

Lewis (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The veteran tight end began the week not practicing but was able to put in a full practice Friday to avoid the questionable tag. Lewis should continue to see occasional targets while primarily serving as a blocker for Green Bay.