NFL Player News

Hollister hauled in all three of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.

After recording 12 receptions and three touchdowns between Weeks 9 and 10, Hollister has regressed, failing to exceed six catches or 44 yards in a game while staying out of the end zone in four straight games. The 26-year-old is a touchdown-dependant fantasy asset, but he's a solid option in Week 16 against the Cardinals, who allowed two scores to tight ends in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Gentry caught his lone target for four yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Bills.

The rookie out of Michigan finally had an opportunity to take the field and caught a short pass over the middle from Devlin Hodges on the opening possession of the second half. That drive resulted in Pittsburgh's only touchdown of the game and was Gentry's only target. Considering that the tight end position has accounted for just 16.7 percent of Pittsburgh's receptions this season, there is no reason to expect Gentry's role to increase in Week 16 against the Jets even if Vance McDonald (concussion) misses his second straight game.

Vannett caught five of six targets for 40 yards in Pittsburgh's 17-10 loss to Buffalo on Sunday night.

Coming into the night, Vannett had caught no more than two passes in a game all season with a high of just 28 yards. The loss of Vance McDonald (concussion) provided an opportunity, and Vannett made the most of it by matching James Washington and Dionate Johnson with a team-high five catches. Even if McDonald is unavailable in Week 16, Vannett is a dicey option against a Jets defense that allows the third and fifth fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in standard and PPR formats, respectively.

Akins caught both of his targets for seven yards in Sunday's 24-21 win over Tennessee.

One week after being targeted nine times, the tight end dropped back to two targets in Week 15, as quarterback Deshaun Watson primary looked to his wide receivers. Akins and Darren Fells were targeted just four times combined, and none of those looks came in the red zone. Akins leads the position group with 46 targets and 364 yards and is tied with Fells with 31 receptions.

Firkser hauled in just one of his four targets for seven yards in the team's Week 15 loss to the Texans.

Firkser saw four targets for the third time in his past four games, but was unable to repeat his usual efficiency. Instead, his lone reception came early in the second quarter, when he hauled in a short reception over the middle. With the steady emergence of A.J. Brown and the continued involvement of Jonnu Smith, Firkser isn't likely to be heavily involved in the team's final two contests of the regular season.

Hooper caught three of six targets for 20 receiving yards during Sunday's 29-22 win against San Francisco.

The 2018 Pro Bowl tight end found himself on pace for 100 receptions, 1,080 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through the first 10 weeks of the season, but since suffering a sprained MCL against New Orleans on Nov. 10 he has compiled just five catches for 52 yards in appearances over the past two weeks. Though he is an electrifying receiving threat when healthy and did almost reel in a fourth-quarter touchdown grab, Hooper's limited production in his first two games back from injury devalue his outlook. Hooper will have a prime opportunity to rebound against Jacksonville in Week 16 as the Jaguars' defense has surrendered the third-most TE touchdowns thus far in 2019.

Higbee caught 12 of 14 targets for 111 yards in Sunday's 44-21 loss to the Cowboys.

The tight end continued his late-season breakout, hauling in over 100 receiving yards for the third straight game after managing only 212 yards through the Rams' first 10 contests. Even if Gerald Everett (knee) makes it back into the lineup for one or both of the club's final two games, it seems highly unlikely that Higbee will fade back into the woodwork given the chemistry he's showing with Jared Goff. He'll try to keep things rolling next Saturday against a 49ers defense that held Austin Hooper to three catches for 20 yards in Week 15.

Waller caught eight of 10 targets for 122 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Jaguars.

In the Raiders' final game in Oakland, the tight end led the team in catches, targets and yards, a fitting tribute to past franchise greats like Dave Casper and Todd Christensen. Waller topped 1,000 receiving yards on the season with his final grab, becoming only the second TE in the club's history to accomplish that feat -- Christensen did it three times between 1983 and 1986. Waller will take aim at Christensen's franchise record 1,247 yards over the final two games, including next Sunday's road clash with a Falcons defense that just saw George Kittle rack up 134 yards against it in Week 15.

Kittle hauled in 13 of 17 targets for 134 receiving yards during Sunday's 29-22 loss to the Falcons.

After managing just eight catches for 84 yards in outings against Baltimore and New Orleans the past two weeks, Kittle commanded more than half of San Francisco's targets versus Atlanta and accounted for over 65 percent of the 49ers' receiving production. During his dominant Week 15 effort, Kittle also surpassed Mike Ditka for the most receiving yards by a tight end across his first three NFL seasons, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. He remains an elite tight end play heading into a matchup against a Rams defense that surrendered six combined receptions, 76 yards and a touchdown to Dallas tight ends Sunday.

Fant caught two of three targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss in Kansas City. He injured his right shoulder during the contest, but X-rays were negative and he "should be fine," Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

The Broncos were completely off-kilter on offense during the first half when, facing fourth and short, Fant blocked the edge and then released upfield for a 43-yard reception to set up Denver's lone score of the game. Fant hasn't always been consistent, but his big-play ability has been undeniable this season. His 15.7 yards per catch ranks best among tight ends in the league. He's now nursing foot, hip and shoulder injuries, but he remains an intriguing play down the stretch as the season's final two opponents, Detroit and Oakland, rank 32nd and 31st in the league, respectively, in passing plays of 20 or more yards surrendered this season.