NFL Player News

Hockenson caught four of six targets for 23 yards in Saturday's 47-7 loss to the Buccaneers.

Matthew Stafford hurt his ankle on Detroit's first drive, and the combination of Chase Daniel and David Blough guided the offense to zero points, leading to underwhelming performances from all of the team's skill position players. This was the fifth-lowest yardage total of Hockenson's breakout sophomore season, and the tight end has been held to fewer than 25 yards in consecutive games heading into next week's season finale against Minnesota.

Daniels (hamstring) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the 49ers.

Daniels carried a questionable tag coming into the weekend, but he ultimately was able to overcome a hamstring issue that held him out of practice Tuesday and Wednesday. The 26-year-old tight end will provide depth behind starter Dan Arnold, and his role may be more integral than usual with Maxx Williams (ankle) having been ruled out ahead of Saturday's tilt.

Arnold (back) is active for Saturday's contest against the 49ers.

Arnold made a last-minute appearance on the Cardinals' injury report this week, being listed as limited Thursday and questionable for this game. Still, he'll gut out his back issue and may even earn a bit more work with Maxx Williams (ankle) sidelined. Arizona's available tight ends Week 16 are Arnold, Darrell Daniels and Seth DeValve.

Gilliam has been ruled out for Monday's game at New England due to knee/hamstring injuries, the Bills' official site reports.

Gilliam sees the bulk of his snaps on special teams, so the Bills will have to dig a little deeper on those units Monday as they shoot for the No. 2 seed in the AFC after clinching the AFC East crown already.

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.