NFL Player News

Kroft (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Steelers.

Since he sat out Week 10 due to being on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a high-risk close contact, Kroft has been a healthy scratch for the three contests in which he's been back on the active roster. The Bills will go with Dawson Knox and Lee Smith at tight end Week 14.

Smith secured all four targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 26-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The second-year tight end had the chance for more targets with position mate Kyle Rudolph (foot) out of action, but Smith actually saw just a slight bump over the 2.6 targets per contest he came into the contest with. However, Smith put the opportunities to good use, leading the Vikings in receiving yards while tying Justin Jefferson for second in receptions. Smith also garnered Minnesota's only touchdown through the air, recording a 14-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter. Smith will look to follow up the solid performance in a Week 15 matchup versus a Bears defense that's been vulnerable to tight ends this season.

Alie-Cox (knee) returned to Sunday's game against the Raiders, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

After leaving in the first quarter, Alie-Cox returned late in the second quarter and immediately caught a nine-yard screen pass.

Kmet caught four passes for 41 yards in the Bears' 36-7 win over the Texans on Sunday.

Kmet cemented his role as Chicago's lead tight end with his second straight seven-target performance, although it was Jimmy Graham who scored the only tight-end touchdown for the team. Despite his increased volume since Week 10, Kmet has yet to surpass 45 yards in a game this season, making him a floor play during the fantasy playoffs.

Graham caught four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 36-7 victory over the Texans on Sunday.

Although Graham scored his second touchdown over the last eight games, he was targeted just four times while teammate Cole Kmet served as the clear receiving tight end with seven targets for the second week in a row. During the last four games, Graham has seen a total of 11 targets, making him a touchdown-dependent fantasy option.

Kelce caught eight of 10 targets for 136 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 33-27 win over Miami.

Kelce's six-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left in the first half put the Chiefs up 14-10, and they proceeded to pull away with 16 unanswered points in the third quarter. The star tight end replicated his stat line from last week, and such performances have become the new normal for Kelce. He has caught at least eight passes in each of his last six games, topping 100 yards in five of those and finding the end zone in four. Kelce will look to keep rolling in Week 15 against the Saints.

Alie-Cox was forced out of Sunday's game versus the Raiders with a knee injury, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Alie-Cox exited in the first quarter. Jack Doyle and Trey Burton should handle additional reps for the time being.

Coach Vic Fangio believes that the illness that caused Fant to exit Sunday's win over the Panthers may have been food poisoning, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Once Fant, who wasn't targeted prior to his exit from the contest, was out of action, Nick Vannett and Troy Fumagalli handled Denver's tight end duties. Per Legwold, Fant tested negative for COVID-19 on Sunday, but he'll remain in Charlotte on Sunday night and return to Denver on Monday if he tests negative again.

Gesicki exited Sunday's game against the Chiefs with an apparent right shoulder injury, Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Gesicki was tackled awkwardly near the sidelines, and he went down in clear pain before going directly to the locker room. Before his departure, Gesicki caught five passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. It's yet another hit to the Dolphins' receiving weapons, as both DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant exited with leg injuries Sunday.

Fant was forced out of Sunday's game against the Panthers with an illness, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Fant was not targeted prior to his exit from the contest. Next up for the team's tight end snaps in his absence are Nick Vannett and Troy Fumagalli.