NFL Player News

Parkinson (foot) returned to practice Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick as been on the reserve/non-football injury list all season, but his return to the active roster appears to be on the horizon. Parkinson was also on the NFI list for all of training camp, so it could take awhile for him to get up to speed.

Higbee caught three of four targets for 57 yards during Sunday's 24-16 loss to San Francisco.

The bulk of Higbee's production came on a 31-yard reception in the third quarter, and he also hauled in a 17-yard pass during the Rams' first drive. This was the fifth-year tight end's best game since scoring three touchdowns Week 2 against Philadelphia, and while he's probably still a little risky in most fantasy settings, Sunday's showing was a step in the right direction. Just remember head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff tend to spread the ball around, and fellow tight end Gerald Everett has seven receptions over the past two weeks and is emerging as another trusted weapon in the Los Angeles passing attack.

Everett caught three of four targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 24-16 loss to San Francisco.

While statistically this was an underwhelming showing after Everett recorded 90 receiving yards last week, the Los Angeles offense never found a rhythm in the first half, and Everett tied for second in targets with fellow tight end Tyler Higbee. Higbee had the better fantasy day with three catches for 57 yards and played 45 snaps compared Everett's 30, but the latter continues to be involved in the passing attack. Everett should be on the fantasy radar because his athleticism makes him a big-play threat whenever the ball is in his hands. Unfortunately, he's just one of the many options head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff have to turn to.

Coach Vic Fangio said Monday that Fant (ankle) has a "chance" to face the Chiefs on Sunday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Fant is continuing to work his way back from an ankle sprain sustained Week 4. The second-year tight end was initially deemed to have a "50/50" shot for last Sunday's 18-12 win over the Patriots, but he was ultimately ruled out before even flying with the team to New England. He'll look to upgrade his level of practice activity leading up to Week 7.

Smith caught all three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-19 win over Washington.

Smith's numbers don't jump off the page, but the second-year tight end continues to enjoy consistent playing time, as he logged 23 of 48 offensive snaps (48 percent) and tied Evan Engram in targets Week 6. The Stanford product posted a 30-267-3 line with Engram out over the final six games in 2019, but as long as Engram's manning the top spot on the depth chart, Smith's fantasy value will remain negligible.

Ertz suffered a high left ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Ravens and is expected miss 3-to-4 weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ertz left Sunday's game multiple times and was ultimately ruled out in the fourth quarter. The veteran tight end underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed he'll need extended rest before returning to the lineup. The Eagles play the Giants on Thursday and the Cowboys in Week 8 before a Week 9 bye, so there's a good chance that Ertz lands on short-term injured reserve, which would keep him out for a minimum of three weeks. Dallas Goedert (ankle) may return from IR soon, but until then Richard Rodgers will operate as the top tight end. DeSean Jackson (hamstring), Alshon Jeffery (foot) and Jalen Reagor (thumb) could all return to the lineup this Thursday as well and help manage the targets Ertz leaves behind.

Tonyan was targeted four times and caught three passes for 25 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Buccaneers.

Tonyan briefly left Sunday's game in the second quarter after tweaking his right leg, but he returned to the contest and caught a couple passes afterward, so the injury should not threaten his availability moving forward. It may have slowed him down some, but not as much as a Buccaneers defense that put the clamps on the Packers offense for much of Sunday's contest. While Tonyan had his least-productive game of the season, he still wound up playing 16 more snaps than any of the Packers' other tight ends, and he remains the clear starter heading into the team's Week 7 matchup with the Texans.

Smith is nursing a "minor" ankle sprain sustained during Sunday's 42-36 win over the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Smith was forced out of action in the third quarter Sunday, before which he'd been limited to one 13-yard catch. Though Schefter notes that the starting tight end is expected to be listed as questionable for the Titans' Week 7 game against the Steelers, the team no doubt will wait until Smith has been thoroughly evaluated at practice before officially dealing him an injury tag. Anthony Firkser managed eight catches for 113 yards and a score against the Texans, so his competence could allow Tennessee to feel secure allowing Smith the luxury of time to rest should he need it.

Swaim recorded two receptions on three targets for 10 yards in Week 6 against the Texans.

Swaim saw an increased role with the early exit of Jonnu Smith (ankle). He was on the field for 49 offensive snaps, good for a 65 percent rate of the team's offensive plays. With MyCole Pruitt (COVID-19) currently unable to suit up, Swaim could be the Titans second tight end if Smith's ankle prevents him from returning to action for a Week 7 matchup against the Steelers.

Smythe secured one of two targets for a four-yard touchdown during Sunday's 24-0 win over the Jets.

Smythe and fellow backup tight end Adam Shaheen (3-51-1) both got involved enough on offense to score Sunday, while Mike Gesicki was held without a catch on two targets. It's encouraging to see Smythe log a productive day after having missed Week 5 due to a knee injury, but he usually takes too large a percentage of his snaps as a blocker to warrant real fantasy consideration.