NFL Player News

Saubert registered two receptions for 15 yards during Sunday's 34-20 loss to Green Bay.

With Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) ruled out, Saubert garnered three of nine tight end targets, establishing a career-high with two receptions against Green Bay's No. 7 pass defense (225.0 yards allowed per game). Saubert has fielded 14.1 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps this season, but that figure stands to increase substantially should Paulsen remain on the shelf for an extended period of time. Still searching for his first touchdown as a pro, Week 15 doesn't present much reason for optimism going up against an Arizona defense that's allowed just three tight end touchdowns all year (tied for fourth fewest).

Higbee caught his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 15-6 loss to Chicago.

Now two outings removed from a respectable three-game stretch consisting of 11 receptions for 128 yards and a score, there's little to be excited about with Higbee's fantasy outlook moving forward. His 27 offensive snaps were also fewer than fellow tight end Gerald Everett's 36, and Everett is the superior receiving threat.

Everett caught four of seven targets for 29 yards during Sunday's 15-6 loss to Chicago. He also played 36 of 63 offensive snaps.

This was the first time all season that Everett played more than fellow tight end Tyler Higbee, as the former was on the field for just 27 offensive snaps. The playing time has been trending this way for a few weeks, and with Los Angeles struggling offensively and playing from behind Sunday, it's not surprising that Everett was on the field more -- he's the more dangerous receiving threat. The second-year player out of Southern Alabama still has a long way to go to be a reliable fantasy asset, though.

Coach Dan Quinn said Hooper (knee) has a chance to play Week 15 against the Cardinals, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper injured his knee toward the end of Sunday's 34-20 loss to Green Bay, ultimately catching four of six targets for 37 yards across 55 snaps (78 percent). The Falcons believe he avoided a long-term injury, but there's still no guarantee he'll be ready for Week 15. No. 3 tight end Eric Saubert is left as the team's only healthy player at his position, with Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) coming off a Week 14 absence.

Thomas caught one of two targets for five yards Sunday in the Bills' 27-23 loss to the Jets.

Thomas played nearly as many offensive snaps (36) as starter Charles Clay (42), but neither tight end saw much involvement in the passing game. Opportunities could be more difficult to come by for Thomas in Week 15 against the Lions if fellow reserve Jason Croom (groin) is able to avoid a second consecutive absence.

Lewis played 16 snaps on offense in Sunday's victory over the Falcons and was not targeted.

Lewis played twice as many snaps as he did in Week 14, but he failed to catch a pass for the third time in four weeks, and was not targeted for the ninth time in 13 games this season.

Tonyan played seven snaps and was not targeted in Sunday's victory over the Cardinals.

The seven snaps were the second most Tonyan has played in a game this season, but that total was still fourth among Packers tight ends in Week 14, and not enough to make any sort of fantasy impact.

Goedert corralled four of his five targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-23 overtime loss to the Cowboys.

With the Dallas defense successfully keying in on top tight end Zach Ertz (five catches for 38 yards on eight targets), Goedert took on a more meaningful role in the passing attack. Goedert cashed in late in the fourth quarter with a three-yard touchdown reception -- his first since Week 8 -- and nearly added another score to his ledger later in the period. After Dallas answered Goedert's touchdown with a 75-yard catch and run from Amari Cooper, the rookie appeared to tie up the game when he responded with a 75-yard score of his own with around three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, Goedert was called for pass interference on a dubious push off against Dallas safety Jeff Heath, negating the big gain. Though the penalty robbed him of a monstrous outing, Goedert's solid showing has his stock trending up for the final three weeks of the regular season.

Coach Mike Vrabel said he's still waiting to find out if Smith (knee) has a shot to return this season, Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean reports.

Smith's MCL injury was previously reported as the season-ending variety, but the Titans apparently still have some hope he can return, even if it's only for Week 17 or a possible playoff run. The team will rely on Anthony Firkser as its top pass-catching tight end Week 15 against the Giants.

Graham caught two passes for 13 yards in Sunday's victory over the Falcons.

The Falcons have routinely shut down opposing tight ends all season, and they did so again in Week 14 despite Graham playing his highest percentage of snaps in a game since Week 9. Graham's injured thumb seems to be improving, as he practiced fully Friday, but he has averaged just 32 yards per game and 4.9 yards per target since suffering the injury in Week 11. The injury remains a factor, though, as Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette notes "it's clear (Graham) is having a tough time catching throws with zip on them." Graham will have a tough time getting back on track in Week 15 facing a Bears defense that limited opposing tight ends to just 32.6 yards per contest and no scores over the last five weeks.