NFL Player News

Kelce (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's playoff game against the Texans, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

As expected, the star tight end will tough it out after being limited in practice this past week as he managed some knee pain. As long as he avoids any in-game setbacks, Kelce should remain a key target for QB Patrick Mahomes.

Kelce (knee) is expected to play in Sunday's playoff game against the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Additionally, Rapoport indicates that the tight end is "dealing with IT (iliotibial) band tightness that's causing a small bit of pain" in his knee, "but he'll be OK." Official confirmation of Kelce's status will arrive upon the release of the Chiefs' inactives in advance of the team's 3:05 ET kickoff, but we expect him to suit up and see his share of snaps/targets Sunday, in the absence of any in-game setbacks.

Andrews (ankle) secured four of seven targets for 39 yards in the Ravens' 28-12 divisional-round loss to the Titans on Saturday.

Andrews was able to suit up without any issue despite his questionable designation coming in, but he was considerably off the mark with respect to his typical level of performance. The star tight end's yardage total was his second lowest over the last eight contests, as he was unable to benefit from Lamar Jackson's career-high 365 passing yards. Despite the undesirable conclusion to the season, Andrews' 2019 will be looked at as a breakout campaign, as he finished with an impressive 64-852-10 line across 15 games, career-best numbers he'll aim to surpass in 2020.

Smith secured two of three targets for 12 yards and a touchdown in the Titans' 28-12 divisional-round win over the Ravens on Saturday.

The third-year pro opened the scoring in the upset with a 12-yard scoring grab late in the first quarter, and although he was minimally involved thereafter, his role in helping the Titans establish a positive early tone was certainly invaluable. Smith's usage has fluctuated considerably at times this season, but he'll look to make an impact in next Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus either the Texans or Chiefs, two teams that were vulnerable to the tight end position all season.

Kittle had three catches (five targets) for 16 yards in Saturday's NFC divisional -round win over Minnesota.

This was set to be a tough matchup for Kittle on paper, as the Vikings allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Minnesota boasts fast and athletic 4-3 linebackers, it consistently doubled San Francisco's star tight end when he went out on routes. Coach Kyle Shanahan's run-heavy game plan (47 rushes to 19 pass attempts) also factored into the 26-year-old's reduced offensive opportunities. Both of the 49ers' potential opponents in the upcoming NFC Championship Game (Seattle or Green Bay) were far more lenient on opposing tight ends this season, so there is certainly bounce-back potential for Kittle heading into next Sunday's contest.

Andrews (ankle) is active for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Titans.

A limited practice participant throughout the week due to an ankle injury, Andrews will gut it out in this do-or-die situation. According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Andrews wasn't wearing a wrap on the ankle during pregame warmups, but it remains to be seen if he'll handle a full workload. Aside from Andrews, Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle are the Ravens' other active tight ends.

Akins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's divisional-round game at Kansas City.

After being limited in practice all week, Akins was listed as questionable for this contest Friday but ended up not making the trip north at all. His absence will leave Darren Fells (hip) and Jordan Thomas as the Texans' available tight ends.

Akins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Chiefs after being limited at practice this week.

Fellow tight end Darren Fells (hip) is also listed as questionable for the contest after being added to the Texans' injury report Friday. At this stage, both profile as speculative fantasy options this week, but as Sunday's kickoff approaches, if it becomes clear that one of the two will sit, while the other plays, there would be a degree of streaming appeal in DFS contests for the active option.

Kelce (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Texans after practicing in a limited fashion this week.

Per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com, coach Andy Reid indicated that Kelce's knee injury is "more of a bruise than anything.'' Meanwhile, Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star noted "there doesn't appear to be a high level of concern" regarding Kelce's status, with Reid offering encouraging words about what the tight end was able to do at practice Friday. "He was out there practicing, did a nice job with the plays that was in," Reid said. With that, we'd expect Kelce to be active Sunday, an outcome that will be confirmed, either way, about 90 minutes prior to Sunday afternoon's 3:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Kelce (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Friday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

While relaying Kelce's activity level in the final session of the week, coach Andy Reid told Adam Teicher of ESPN.com that the injury is "more of a bruise than anything." Kelce also picked up the concern at Wednesday's practice, per James Palmer of NFL Network. Reid doesn't seem to be concerned about Kelce's availability for Sunday's game against the Texans, but the tight end seems destined to be listed as questionable.