NFL Player News

Horsted caught one pass for four yards in Chicago's 19-14 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Horsted was promoted from the practice squad for this contest, and he caught the only pass that was thrown in his direction. Even if he remains on the active roster, the Chicago offense has yet to have a tight end post 20 yards in a game, so don't expect Horsted to be a significant fantasy option in the near future.

Waller caught three of six targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 34-3 loss to the Jets.

The entire Raiders team laid an egg in this one, but at least Waller was able to eclipse 40 yards for the ninth time in 11 games. While the yardage has been there, the tight end remains stuck on three touchdowns this season, all of which were scored in a two-game stretch spanning Week 7 and Week 8. Waller should be more involved against the division-leading Chiefs in Week 13.

Gesicki secured three of seven targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' 41-24 loss to the Browns on Sunday.

The second-year tight end finally broke the scoring ice in his career Sunday, bringing in an 11-yard touchdown toss from Ryan Fitzpatrick early in the third quarter for the Dolphins' first touchdown of the game. Gesicki came into the NFL a season ago with a reputation as an above-average pass-catching tight end, but the Dolphins' quarterback issues have played a large part in the Penn State product's underwhelming numbers overall. Gesicki does seem to be building some momentum with at least three catches in four straight contests and will look to keep that streak going versus the Eagles in Week 13.

Ertz hauled in 12 of his 14 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 12 loss to the Seahawks.

Ertz was one of Carson Wentz's few healthy receivers and took advantage by drawing 14 targets -- his second-highest total of the season. Nearly all of that production came in second half, as he registered just three catches for 19 yards in the first two quarters. Nevertheless, Ertz now has at least nine catches and 90 yards in three consecutive contests. Though it appears Alshon Jeffery (ankle) and Nelson Agholor (knee) have the potential to return next week against the Dolphins, their continued absence would ensure that Ertz continues to see plenty of targets.

Smith is slated to serve as the No. 1 tight end for the fourth consecutive game in Sunday's Week 12 tilt against the Jaguars with Delanie Walker (ankle) declared inactive for the contest.

Smith has been solid in his extended opportunity of late, bringing in 13 of 18 targets for 126 yards and a touchdown over that three-game period that Walker has missed. The athletic third-year pro also recorded three receptions for 64 yards in the Week 7 game in which Walker was hurt after just five snaps, so he offers some reasonable upside versus a Jaguars defense that's allowed five touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Arnold (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's clash with the Panthers.

It will be the third consecutive game in which Arnold is a healthy scratch. The Saints will instead roll with Jared Cook, Josh Hill and Jason Vander Laan as their tight ends for Week 12.

Smith will enter the starting lineup for Evan Engram (foot) for Sunday's game in Chicago, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Sans Engram and Rhett Ellison (concussion) in Week 12, the Giants will be forced to roll with Smith and veteran Scott Simonson at tight end. A 2019 sixth-round pick of the 49ers, Smith received the first target of his career in the Giants' last game Nov. 10 versus the Jets, hauling it in for a one-yard grab. It remains to be seen what he can do with a larger snap share.

Hockenson (shoulder) is listed as active Sunday at Washington.

In the same game in which he suffered a concussion Week 4 against the Chiefs, Hockenson fell hard on his right shoulder while attempting to hurdle a defender. He didn't miss any game action due to the Lions' ensuing bye, but his status for Sunday's game came into question Saturday, when he curiously was added to the injury report with a shoulder injury. Hockenson will be available to the offense but may yield reps to fellow tight ends Jesse James and Logan Thomas.

Kittle (knee) feels healthy enough to play Sunday night versus the Packers, despite recovering from a broken bone in his ankle, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

All the talk has been about Kittle's left knee since he got injured Oct. 31 at Arizona and missed the next 49ers' two games, but the ankle issue lingered on the injury report without any mention. After practicing Thursday and Friday, albeit in a blue no-contact jersey, he was given a 'questionable' designation for Week 12 by coach Kyle Shanahan, who told Eric Branch of the San Francisco, "This week, I think with a normal person, I'd probably make him doubtful. But Kittle is different than most people." The 49ers will determine whether or not Kittle is active about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. If he does not go, it'll throw a wrench into fantasy lineups, with San Fran teammate Ross Dwelley, Packers TE Jimmy Graham and Rams TE Gerald Everett the potential top available options at the position.

Hockenson has a shoulder injury and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

The shoulder injury is a recent development as Hockenson wasn't present on the injury report all week, leaving his status for Sunday firmly up in the air. Jesse James and Logan Thomas would see increased work at tight end should Hockenson be unable to face Washington.