NFL Player News

Smith recorded five receptions on five targets for 52 yards in Week 15 against the Lions.

Smith returned from a one-game absence and tied for the team lead in receptions. He hauled in a few deep receptions, including a 19-yard catch on the team's first drive and a 16-yard reception later in the contest. Perhaps most importantly, Smith was clearly Ryan Tannehill's favorite tight-end target as Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt were both limited to one reception. Smith will look to build on the effort in Week 16 against the Packers.

Hockenson caught two of four targets for 18 yards and carried once for no yards with one fumble during Sunday's 46-25 loss to Tennessee.

After seeing 20 total targets in his first two games with Darrell Bevell as interim head coach, Hockenson was keyed on by a Titans secondary that entered the game allowing the fourth-highest completion rate (76.8 percent) and eighth-most yards per target (8.3) to tight ends in 2020. D'Andre Swift's involvement near the goal line also played a role in Hockenson's disappointing turnout, and Hockenson also fumbled on an end-around on a critical third-and-one during a potential game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. While Hockenson seemingly has a solid chance to rebound in Week 16 against a Buccaneers team allowing a league-high 79.7 percent completion rate to tight ends, fantasy managers should keep in mind the possibility for Detroit, with nothing to play for at this point, to rest quarterback Matthew Stafford for the team's final two games of the regular season.

Njoku (knee) is active for Sunday night's game against the Giants, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

A sudden practice absence Friday placed Njoku's Week 15 status in question, but coach Kevin Stefanski alleviated concerns by subsequently stating that he expected the 24-year-old to play. Having since supported his coach's intuition by clearing the injury report in time for kickoff, Njoku will look to build on a three-catch, 45-yard Week 14 performance against the Ravens. He'll get work at the tight end position alongside Harrison Bryant and Austin Hooper, the latter of whom gained clearance to play Sunday evening after being limited during the week with a neck injury.

Hooper (neck) is active for Sunday's road game versus the Giants, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper started Week 15 prep with back-to-back limited listings before getting in a full session, but the Browns still gave him a questionable designation. That wasn't a huge surprise considering he sat out Week 14 with a neck injury, but now that he's back in the lineup he should slot back in as the team's No. 1 tight end. Having said that, Hooper hasn't surpassed three catches or 40 yards since Week 6, a span of four appearances.

Smith (knee) is listed as active for Sunday night's game against the Browns, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

A knee issue held the Stanford product to limited participation in practice Thursday and Friday, and he carried a questionable designation heading into the weekend. Now confirmed active for his 13th appearance of 2020, Smith has a chance to build on a stat line of 16 receptions and 96 yards. Position mate Evan Engram has enjoyed the bulk of the passing-game work with 50 catches for 526 yards and one receiving TD.

Engram (calf) is listed as active Sunday versus the Browns, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

As was expected, Engram will be out there after injuring his knee at Friday's practice, which led to a questionable designation for Week 15. Kaden Smith (knee) also is available for when the Giants utilize two-TE sets, but Engram is the pass catcher of the position group. While he has just three games of more than 60 yards this season, Engram draws a Cleveland defense that has conceded the fifth-most touchdowns (nine) to tight ends this season.

Andrews recorded five receptions on five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 against the Jaguars.

Andrews continued his run of strong production in the second half of the season. For his third consecutive game, he logged five receptions and has surpassed 60 receiving yards in four consecutive contests. His production in Week 15 came in the form of several long receptions -- including gains of 27, 18 and 12 yards -- and was capped by a three-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter. Andrews and the Ravens will head into a Week 16 matchup against the Giants on a roll offensively.

Conklin secured three of four targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 33-27 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

The 25-year-old had a presence on the stat sheet for the second straight week, following up his solid 5-40 line against the Buccaneers with Sunday's showing, which included his first career touchdown. Conklin's elevated role over the last pair of contests is a direct byproduct of the absence of Kyle Rudolph (foot), so it would be difficult to trust it continuing were his veteran teammate to return for a Week 16 matchup against the Saints on Christmas Day.

Everett returned to Sunday's game versus the Jets, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Everett was evaluated for a concussion in the first half but returned for the Rams' first possession of the third quarter. He'll look to build upon the one catch (on two targets) for 15 yards that he posted prior to his spell away from the field.

Everett is under evaluation for a head injury during Sunday's game against the Jets.

If Everett enters the concussion protocol, Johnny Mundt likely will have an increased alongside lead tight end Tyler Higbee. Everett had a 15-yard catch on two targets before he departed.