NFL Player News

Fant caught three of five targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 20-3 loss in Buffalo.

Fant caught a quick 16-yard pass following a Justin Simmons interception to push the Broncos in the Bills territory. Brandon Allen sailed a pass six plays later to cough the ball back up. The Broncos weren't much of a threat for the remainder of the game. The luster of Week 9's win over the Browns has all but worn off by now and, though Fant has been targeted at least five times in four of his last five games and has made some big plays, his value is limited by the Broncos' quarterback situation. Next up is a Chargers defense that has been burned at times downfield this season.

Sternberger (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

With Robert Tonyan (hip) active for the first time since Week 5, Sternberger will watch this contest from the sidelines. The rookie third-rounder has played in two games since being activated from IR with an ankle injury, receiving no targets while logging a majority of his snaps on special teams.

Kittle (knee/ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Packers.

Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed Sunday morning that Kittle's ankle issue included a broken bone, which combined with his left knee concern sidelined him the last two games. Although Kittle is back in action, it wouldn't shock if he's more of a decoy or has a cap placed on his snap count by the coaching staff. No matter his workload, though, he's one of the most difficult covers in the NFL, regardless of position, and he gets to face a Packers defense that has given up 62.7 yards per game and five touchdowns to tight ends in 10 outings this season.

Tonyan (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

For the first time since Week 5, Tonyan will take the field with the Green and Gold. The tight end will continue working as a reserve behind Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis. Tonyan has posted four catches for 66 scoreless yards over his first five contests.

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.