NFL Player News

Cager reverted back to the Jets' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Cager made his NFL debut and had two catches in Sunday's loss to the Colts, but he also failed to get his head around on a timing route that led to a pick-six. If New York's injury-riddled receiving corps doesn't heal up on a short week, Cager could be called right back up for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Smith did not have a target in Sunday's 31-30 loss to Tennessee.

Smith played on 36 of the offense's 65 snaps but only went out for a route on 17 snaps. Kyle Rudolph played 48 snaps and had two receptions and three targets (including a three-yard touchdown). Smith also had a key blocking penalty, his third penalty this season. It was thought Smith could have a breakout season in his second year, but he's been a non-factor in the passing offense so far -- just two receptions and five targets in three games -- and there are no signs that will change.

Seals-Jones (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Ravens, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Seals-Jones is a healthy scratch for the second straight game after not playing a single snap during the season opener. Nick Keizer and Deon Yelder will be the depth options at tight end behind All-Pro Travis Kelce for Kansas City.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers will assess Kittle (knee) on Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle so far has missed two games as a result of an MCL sprain and a bone bruise in his left knee. The 49ers reconvene for Week 4 preparations at Wednesday's practice, when the team will hope to get a look at Kittle on the field. Getting him back sooner than later will be key with Jordan Reed going on injured reserve Monday with a sprained knee. The next man up in San Francisco's TE group behind Kittle and Reed is Ross Dwelley, who recorded four catches (on four targets) for 49 yards this past Sunday against the Giants.

Pruitt had two receptions on two targets for 16 yards in Week 3 against Minnesota.

Pruitt was on the field for 33 percent of the team's offensive snaps to produce his first multi-catch effort of the season. Anthony Firkser is traditionally more involved in the passing game among the team's backup tight ends, though roles were reversed in Week 3, as Firkser did not see any targets. Pruitt is unlikely to gain a notable role in the passing game unless Jonnu Smith is sidelined.

James caught three passes (four targets) for 28 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 26-23 win over Arizona.

James was finally involved in the passing game after not seeing a single target during the first two games of the year. However, his track record of being a blocking specialist suggests this isn't the start of something new. It will be extremely hard to trust James in Week 4 against New Orleans.

Hockenson caught four of seven targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 26-23 victory over Arizona.

Hockenson remained a focal point in the passing game despite the return of Golladay, who tied with Hockenson for the team lead in targets. As only one tight end in the league (Noah Fant) currently has a higher passer rating when targeted than Hockenson's gaudy measure of 155.8, per Pro Football Focus, there's a case to be made that Hockenson should be more involved going forward. However, there could also be more days when the Lions opt to pound the rock 22 times with Adrian Peterson, whose heavy usage at the expense of second-round pick D'Andre Swift suggests Detroit was trying to stick to the running game. The chances of the Lions being able to control the clock Week 4 seem low against a Saints team that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per carry in the league through three weeks.

Schultz caught four of six targets for 48 yards in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

The tight end wasn't able to follow up his impressive Week 2 with a similar performance, but Schultz still received a healthy number of targets, and it should be noted Dak Prescott attempted 57 passes overall in a 38-31 loss. Schultz could be headed for a productive day Week 4 against a Browns defense that's already given up 22 catches and three TDs to tight ends through three weeks.

Coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Goedert (ankle) will miss "some time," Vaughn Johnson of the Eagles' official site reports.

Goedert was forced out of Sunday's 23-23 tie to the Bengals due to an ankle injury in the first quarter. The third-year pro appears to be on track to sit out Week 4's matchup against the 49ers and possibly to miss action beyond that. Goedert had been an integral component of Philadelphia's passing game during the first two weeks, having accounted for 13 catches (18 targets), 131 yards and a touchdown, making his absence a significant blow for quarterback Carson Wentz. With all of Jalen Reagor (thumb), DeSean Jackson (hamstring), Alshon Jeffery (foot), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (lower body) and Quez Watkins (upper body) also banged up, the Eagles have little in the way of healthy pass catchers behind Zach Ertz.

Sternberger was targeted three times in Sunday's 37-30 victory over the Saints and finished with three receptions for 36 yards.

Sternberger atoned for a couple Week 2 drops by hauling in all three passes in his direction one week later. He finished third among Packers skill players in receiving yards Sunday and was on the field for a season-high 32 percent of the offensive snaps, but he remains only part of the mix behind top tight end Robert Tonyan.