NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan said that Kittle (knee) won't practice Wednesday, but the tight end remains on track to play Sunday against the Jets, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan also noted that even if Kittle fails to practice all week, he could still suit up against the Jets as long as he gains medical clearance ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. In a related note, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Kittle isn't expected to practice Thursday or Friday either, as the 49ers are evidently inclined to take a cautious approach with their top weapon in the passing game while he battles a sprained left knee. Kittle missed just one snap in Week 1 and finished with four receptions for 44 yards and one carry for nine yards. Assuming Kittle gets the green light to play Week 2, he should remain locked in as a high-end fantasy option at his position.

Saubert was waived by Chicago on Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Saubert was one of five tight ends to originally make the 53-man roster, but he was inactive in Week 1 and is now getting waived by the Bears. Kicker Cairo Santos is taking the roster spot vacated by Saubert.

Moreau did not garner any targets during Sunday's 34-30 win against the Panthers.

Moreau was on the field for 19 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps, but it was tight ends Darren Waller (eight targets) and Jason Witten (one target) who benefitted from action in the passing game. The LSU product attracted multiple targets in nine of his 13 appearances last year, but the arrival of Witten has potential to evaporate Moreau's already-limited role as a pass-catcher.

Smith hauled in both of his targets for 17 receiving yards during Monday's 26-16 loss to the Steelers.

The second-year tight end out of Stanford actually enjoyed more fantasy production in the opener than did Evan Engram, who only came down with two of seven targets for nine yards. Engram is expected to be featured as the clear No. 1 receiving tight end throughout 2020, but Smith has produced himself when granted the opportunity. Across seven career starts, his most recent of which came Monday night against Pittsburgh, Smith has averaged 4.6 catches and 40.6 receiving yards per game. Week 2 presents a matchup against a Bears defense that surrendered five catches, 56 yards and a touchdown to Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson on Sunday.

Brown signed with the Texans' active roster Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans placed Kahale Warring (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday and elevated Brown to the active roster in a corresponding move. Brown played in nine games for the Browns last season and recorded two receptions for 27 yards over 182 offensive snaps.

Firkser recorded two receptions for five yards in the team's Week 1 win over Denver.

Firkser was the primary receiving tight end after Jonnu Smith, as he logged 32 offensive snaps. However, he was only targeted twice, with his longest reception of the contest going for six yards. Firkser lost out on a chance to find the end zone when Ryan Tannehill instead connected with MyCole Pruitt for a one-yard score in the second quarter.

Pruitt hauled in his only target for a one-yard touchdown in Week 1 against Denver.

Pruitt opened the scoring for Tennessee, hauling in his short touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill in the end zone. Despite the early contribution, Pruitt worked as depth among the tight end corps, playing near an equal amount as Anthony Firkser and behind Jonnu Smith. Pruitt worked primarily as a blocker in past seasons, and will again to begin the 2020 campaign.

Carlson is expected to receive more playing time with David Njoku (knee) on injured reserve, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Carlson played just 12 snaps (16 percent) and had one target in the season-opening loss to the Ravens but moved up to third on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. He broadly fits into the category of blocking tight end, but quarterback Baker Mayfield uses tight ends as red-zone scoring options. Carlson caught five of seven targets with one touchdown in 2019.

Smith hauled in four of seven targets for 36 yards and a touchdown during Monday's 16-14 win against Denver.

Entering his fourth NFL season out of Florida International, Smith kicks off 2020 atop Tennessee's tight end depth chart. The 25-year-old already has 39 career starts and 45 appearances to his name, yet he has never surpassed 45 targets, 450 receiving yards, or three touchdowns in any professional campaign. His Week 1 usage indicates a potential season-long increase in all three of those statistical departments, as he was just one target behind Corey Davis and A.J. Brown for the team lead. Next up for Smith is a Week 2 matchup against a Jaguars defense that allowed five catches and 69 yards to opposing tight ends in its season opener.

Fant corralled five of his six targets for 81 receiving yards and a touchdown during Monday's 16-14 loss to Tennessee.

The second-year tight end made his touches count against the Titans, collecting 15-plus receiving yards or a touchdown on four of his five receptions. Fant demonstrated big-play ability as a rookie in racking up 14.1 yards per catch, second only to New Orleans' Jared Cook (16.4) among NFL tight ends last year. The key to Fant unlocking a magical fantasy season, however, may come via the touchdown, as he collected just three last year on 66 targets. Week 1's outcome is encouraging in that regard, but now he prepares for a matchup against a Steelers defense that contained Evan Engram to two catches for nine yards in its first appearance of 2020.