NFL Player News

Kroft is inactive (coach's decision) for Monday's game against the 49ers.

Since going on the reserve/COVID-19 list between Nov. 14 and Nov. 19, the 28-year-old has been unable to re-establish himself in the lineup for Buffalo. He suited up for the Bills' first nine games of 2020 (with four starts), collecting 12 receptions, 119 yards and three receiving scores. Buffalo selected Dawson Knox and Lee Smith as its only active tight ends for Monday night.

James caught one of three targets for a nine-yard touchdown during Sunday's 34-30 win over Chicago.

While there will be days like Sunday when James comes through with a touchdown, the low amount of passing volume he sees makes the veteran too touchdown-dependent to have fantasy value.

Hollister caught three of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 17-12 loss to the Giants.

Hollister and Will Dissly both played 39 snaps (54 percent) in Sunday's loss. Dissly finished with four receptions for 28 yards. Neither tight end put up big numbers, and depending on either one will be tough moving forward. Russell Wilson rarely targeted Greg Olsen (foot) when he was healthy, as he's been more comfortable showering Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf with targets. Hollister's next chance to potentially establish himself as the top tight end is against the Jets next Sunday.

Pruitt recorded one reception on two targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Week 13 against the Browns. He also recovered a fumble for a second score.

Pruitt played on a season-high 44 offensive snaps, partially filling in for the absent Jonnu Smith (knee). He made his biggest contribution early in the third quarter, hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass after he beat a Browns' safety down the seam. Pruitt further aided the Titans frenetic comeback effort by recovering an A.J. Brown fumble in the end zone one possession later. Despite his pair of scores, Pruitt will have difficulty commanding consistent volume moving forward.

Higbee caught four of six targets for 24 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 38-28 win over Arizona.

While the touchdown was nice to see from the veteran tight end, Higbee remains a tough start in most fantasy settings. He's produced just 4.1 yards per target over the past three games and has only topped 50 receiving yards in three games all season. The Rams spread the ball around amongst their deep arsenal of playmakers, and Higbee just hasn't been targeted enough -- especially downfield -- to make an impact. After a late-season breakout in 2019, It's been an extremely disappointing 2020 campaign from Higbee thus far.

Everett caught six of seven targets for 44 yards during Sunday's 38-28 win over Arizona.

While most of Everett's work came around the line of scrimmage Sunday, he did take advantage of Arizona playing soft defense and took a short pass 22 yards for a first down in the fourth quarter with the score 24-21 for the Rams. It proved to be an especially key third-down conversion with running back Darrell Henderson scoring three plays later, and Los Angeles was in the driver's seat from then on. Everett isn't posting monster fantasy numbers, and fellow tight end Tyler Higbee remains involved and scored a first-half touchdown Sunday. Still, Everett continues to show signs of his long-term potential and could prove to be a serviceable contributor next year, especially if he signs with a team needing a pass-catching tight end following the expiration of his rookie contract. He's a potential stash candidate in deep keeper/dynasty settings.

Lewis had one reception for 36 yards in Sunday's victory over the Eagles.

The reception was Lewis' longest since joining the Packers in 2018, but it was also the only pass he saw in his direction. Lewis has been a sneaky red-zone option for the Packers, but he remains limited mainly to blocking duty.

Akins caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Colts.

Akins led Houston tight ends in targets and snaps (45), something that has been a common outcome when he's been healthy. However, the position group did not experience an uptick in targets even as the Texans played without Will Fuller (suspension), Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills (released); instead, the offense double-downed on the remaining wide receivers as Keke Coutee (nine targets), Brandin Cooks (eight) and Chad Hansen (seven) took up the slack. Akins could see more opportunities in Week 14, as Houston will be on the road in Chicago against a defense that has allowed nine touchdowns to tight ends.

Bryant was not targeted in Sunday's 41-35 win over the Titans.

Bryant went untargeted one week after he lost his second fumble of the season, but it's unlikely that miscue led to a lack of involvement against Tennessee. Sunday's game was the third in the last four that the rookie was untargeted. Bryant has fallen off the radar during the second half of the season, going from 2.6 targets per game over the first eight contests to 0.5 over the last four.

Njoku caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 41-35 win over Tennessee.

Njoku, who had one of three tight end targets Sunday, has been targeted just twice over the last four games. His involvement in the offense has taken a hit since Austin Hooper returned from an appendectomy, with Sunday's reception being his first since Week 8. The Browns face the Ravens in Week 14, an opponent that ranks 21st in yards allowed per game to tight ends, but if there's a Cleveland tight to consider, it's Hooper and not Njoku.