NFL Player News

James is expected to serve as the Lions' top tight end for the team's final four games of the season after T.J. Hockenson (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

James looked like he might have been in store for a significant role with Detroit in 2019 when he inked a four-year, $25 million deal in free agency in March, but he soon became a pricey No. 2 option on the depth chart after the Lions selected Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the draft a month later. Hockenson's injury clears the way for James to take on more prominence in the game plan, but the veteran most likely will provide his biggest impact as a blocker rather than a pass catcher. With nine receptions for 71 yards this season, James actually ranks third among Detroit tight ends in both categories, as Logan Thomas (11 catches for 120 yards) has seen similar involvement in the passing game, despite playing 156 fewer offensive snaps.

Hockenson (ankle) will be placed on injured reserve, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Hockenson started his rookie campaign with a bang, corralling six of nine targets for 131 yards and a touchdown Week 1 at Arizona. Since then, he's contended with a concussion and a right shoulder injury, but he's also topped out at 56 receiving yards (Week 9 in Oakland) and scored just one more TD (Week 4 versus the Chiefs) in the ensuing 11 contests. Near the end of the Lions' last game Thanksgiving day against the Bears, Hockenson's lower leg bent in an awkward fashion, requiring him to use a walking boot and scooter afterward. Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com clarified the injury was to Hockenson's ankle, and while the tight end will miss the rest of the season, coach Matt Patricia told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that the Lions don't have enough info yet to know if surgery will be ordered up.

Alie-Cox played 15 snaps on offense but did not have a reception or target in Sunday's loss to Tennessee.

With Eric Ebron out with an ankle injury and several other wide receivers sidelined, Alie-Cox appeared poised for a larger role in the offense. However, Ross Travis got the start as the second TE opposite Jack Doyle and had three targets and more pass routes run (12 compared to three for Alie-Cox). Alie-Cox battled a thumb injury during practices last week, but it looks like Travis may get looks over him in the passing game despite Alie-Cox previously showing promise as a receiver.

Lewis was targeted twice and caught a one-yard touchdown in Sunday's victory over the Giants.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, spoke recently about his desire to add Lewis to the list of players he has thrown a touchdown pass to, and he did just that Week 13, connecting with Lewis in the end zone for the first time since Lewis joined the Packers in 2018. The touchdown was Lewis' only reception over the last four games, so fantasy players should not expect much from him Week 14, even against a Washington defense that has struggled with opposing tight ends of late.

Graham was targeted once in Sunday's victory over the Giants and caught one pass for 16 yards.

The Giants have done a good job shutting down opposing tight ends this season, and they did so again Week 13, as Graham finished with only one catch for the second week in a row. That output certainly will not help fantasy players in Week 14 playoff matchups, but Graham will at least have a chance to better his recent production, as he and the Packers will square off against a Washington team that allowed opposing tight ends to average 5.3 receptions, 68.7 yards and a touchdown over its last three contests.

Thomas caught all four of his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Redskins.

He entered Sunday with a mere one catch on the season, but he saw his role expand after fellow tight end Greg Olsen was concussed during the third quarter. As a result, Thomas put together his best performance of the campaign, and he figures to keep working with Carolina's starters if Olsen is unavailable in Week 14 versus the Falcons. With the veteran TE injured last year, Thomas started six games as a rookie, totaling 24 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown in those appearances.

Hooper (knee) is expected to resume practicing Monday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper was inactive for the past three games while recovering from an MCL sprain, missing each practice during that time. He did some running on a side field last week, and a return to practice Monday should give him a shot to make it back for Sunday's game against Carolina. Jaeden Graham has filled in capably as the Falcons' top pass-catching tight end, hauling in seven of eight targets for 117 yards and a touchdown over the past three weeks.

Carlson caught both his targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 13.

Carlson remains on the fringe of fantasy relevance for the Browns. Quarterback Baker Mayfield often looks to tight ends in the red zone, so Carlson -- who has one red-zone touchdown this season -- is in the mix. How long that holds true will depend on what the Browns do with David Njoku (wrist), who is designated to return from injured reserve and could be activated for Week 14 against the Bengals.

Kittle (knee/ankle) caught two passes on four targets for 17 yards and lost three yards on his lone carry in Sunday's 20-17 loss to Baltimore.

Kittle saw his usage drop drastically following a six-catch, 129-yard showing in Week 12. The superstar tight end was asked to stay back and block more than usual against a Ravens defense that rushes the passer more than any other team in the league (blitz packages on 48.1 percent of plays this season). There was no report of a flare-up with Kittle's lower-body injuries, so his lack of usage in the passing game appeared to have been matchup-based. Look for him to get more involved in a crucial NFC showdown with the Saints in Week 14.

Smith hauled in both of his targets but netted zero yards in the team's Week 13 win over the Colts.

Smith had little role in the team's offense and did even less with his limited opportunity. On his first reception, Smith was caught behind the line of scrimmage for a two-yard loss, which he followed one quarter later with a two-yard gain on a pass over the middle. Though Delanie Walker (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Smith is not a worthwhile option due to his limited volume and lack of production.