NFL Player News

Sweeney caught one of three targets for three yards in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Even though starter Tyler Kroft remains out with foot and ankle injuries, it was Dawson Knox (3-67-1) who was a far bigger part of the game plan Sunday, with the latter on the field for 56 percent of the offensive plays to Sweeney's 29 percent. Sweeney's role could be even further reduced once Kroft eventually returns. The seventh-round rookie did a nice job to make the team and has turned in a few key plays already, but he looks resigned to a depth role during his first NFL campaign.

Everett caught both targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Browns.

Everett was expected to have an increased role in the Rams offense with Tyler Higbee (chest) out, but the team's wideout corps is simply too deep. Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp garnered 32 of Jared Goff's 38 attempts, leaving Everett with short throws and 7.5 YPC. Everett now has six catches for 43 yards and zero scores this year, so he's not a top fantasy option Week 4 versus the Buccaneers even if Higbee remains out.

Tonyan had one reception for four yards in Sunday's victory over the Broncos.

Tonyan could have had a much bigger day had he been able to pull in a long Aaron Rodgers pass into the end zone in the first quarter, but alas, he finished with just the lone reception while being targeted three times. Tonyan is averaging just under 20 snaps per game through three weeks, but he's made just two receptions this season and remains the Packers' No. 3 tight end behind Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis.

Lewis caught one pass on two targets for 19 yards in Sunday's victory over the Broncos.

Lewis' reception Sunday gives him three on the season, which ties his total from the entirety of the 2018 campaign. That alone proves he is handling a bigger role than he did a year ago, as does the fact he has been credited with a start in all three games the Packers have played thus far. While that at least puts him back on the map, he is still second in snaps among Packers tight ends behind Jimmy Graham and Lewis doesn't have much upside to discuss at age 35, so there isn't a lot for fantasy players to get excited about.

Graham was not targeted Sunday for the second week in a row.

Graham dealt with a couple injuries over the last two weeks, but he also did not catch a pass in either Week 2 or Week 3 after a productive season opener. Given his history and contract, Graham is presumably the top tight end in Green Bay, but it should be noted he has not officially started a game this season, and played just 24 of the Packers' 57 snaps (42 percent) Sunday. Graham figures to have a tough time bouncing back in Week 4, as the Packers will have a short week of practice with a Thursday game on the schedule, and he'll be facing an Eagles defense that bottled up a couple tight ends around Graham's spot on the cheat sheets -- T.J. Hockenson and Austin Hooper -- over its last two contests.

Seals-Jones caught one of two targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Rams in Week 3.

Seals-Jones is one of the possible beneficiaries of tight end David Njoku's wrist injury, but he played just six snaps against the Rams. Demetrius Harris was the clear winner in terms of playing time (65 of 72 snaps), and he scored the Browns' lone touchdown. However, Seals-Jones offers the most upside as a receiver at tight end, if he can work his way into more playing time.

Akins caught three of five targets for 73 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers in Week 3.

Akins was wide open on his first TD, which was a 15-yard strike. The second touchdown was a 53-yard catch-and-run on a busted play, kept alive by quarterback Deshaun Watson's scrambling before he found Akins alone in the middle of the field. From there, he went untouched down the sideline. Akins established single-game highs in targets, catches and yards while scoring the first touchdowns of his two-year tenure in Houston. The Texans got their tight ends involved Week 3, a departure from previous gameplans. Akins and Darren Fells combined for 11 targets, eight catches, 122 yards and three touchdowns. The heavy involvement may be a one-game anomaly, but it could develop into a more consistent element of the offense if opponents devote more resources to Houston's wideouts.

Vannett caught one of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 33-27 loss to the Saints.

Vannett's firmly behind Dissly on the depth chart, as the latter registered six receptions for 62 yards and a score in this contest. Considering Vannett didn't have consistent fantasy value last year when Dissly was injured, Dissly's success is more due to his skill than Russell Wilson's willingness to throw to tight ends.

Hill did not attempt a pass in Week 3 against the Seahawks. He did rush the ball once for five yards and also hauled in one reception for an additional five yards.

The quarterback controversy in New Orleans appears to be short-lived. Teddy Bridgewater was clearly the Saints signal-caller in the absence of Drew Brees (thumb), as Hill played only two snaps under center. While the team could choose to get him more involved in Week 4 against the Cowboys, Hill remains irrelevant for fantasy purposes for the time being.

Kittle caught six of eight targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Steelers.

The catches, yards and targets led all San Francisco receivers on the day, but most of Kittle's production came in the first half, making his final line a little disappointing. Eight different Niners caught passes in this one, and while the tight end remains Jimmy Garoppolo's most consistent option, he's not yet coming close to last year's pace due to the extra competition for targets.