NFL Player News

Hurst caught one of two targets for 21 yards in a 23-16 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

After catching his first career touchdown in garbage time the previous week, Hurst was outshined Sunday by fellow tight end Mark Andrews, who caught three of six targets for 50 yards. The two rookies are stuck in a timeshare alongside veteran blocking specialist Nick Boyle, with Andrews the preferred option on obvious passing downs. Hurst has caught just four of 10 targets through the first five games of his career as he enters a Week 10 bye.

Akins did not catch any of his three targets in Sunday's 19-17 win over Denver.

This was the third consecutive game without a reception for Akins, whose 36 snaps on offense were his most since Week 4. With the Texans short at wide receiver, all of Houston's tight ends got significant playing time, and Akins brought up the rear behind Ryan Griffin (47) and Jordan Thomas (39). Akins has received increased playing time of late due to injuries at wideout, but quarterback Deshaun Watson rarely looks his way. His three targets Sunday equaled the number of targets he had over the previous four games. Houston has its bye week coming up, which will give Keke Coutee (hamstring) time to heal heading into Week 11 against Washington. Whenever Coutee returns, we expect Akins' playing time to take a hit.

Graham caught four passes (six targets) for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Patriots.

Graham bounced back from last week's one-catch dud with a strong fantasy line Sunday. The veteran tight end is no longer the dynamic downfield threat he once was, but he has turned in TE1 numbers in three of the last four contests. Tight end production has fallen off so much this year that Graham should be considered a top option almost every week even if he is a shell of his former self.

Vannett caught six of eight targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Chargers.

Vannett's eight targets tied with running back Mike Davis for the most on the team. Prior to this matchup, Vannett averaged just 3.5 targets per game and didn't have a touchdown this season, so this is certainly an anomaly. Next comes a matchup with the Rams, who have allowed just two touchdowns to tight ends through nine games.

Thomas caught seven of eight targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 41-9 loss to the Bears.

Thomas' extended usage came as a result of Charles Clay exiting early with a hamstring injury. Mistake-prone quarterback Nathan Peterman checked down to the tight end often, but none of Thomas' catches went for double-digit yards. Even if Clay misses the upcoming Week 10 clash against the Jets, it will be tough to rely on Thomas with Buffalo's offense in shambles.

Hollister (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.

With Hollister and Rob Gronkowski (back/ankle) both unable to play, Dwayne Allen is left as the Patriots' lone tight end Sunday night. Allen's failure to capitalize on similar opportunities in the past suggests Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Chris Hogan and James White are likelier to benefit in terms of target volume.

James caught two of three targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 23-16 win over Baltimore.

Despite having just two receptions, James produced his highest yardage total since Week 2. He seems to rank behind Vance McDonald on the depth chart but has an attractive Week 10 slate on Thursday against a Carolina defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Hooper hauled in all three of his targets for 41 receiving yards during Sunday's 38-14 victory against the Redskins.

The third-year tight end has been absurdly efficient over the past five weeks, posting a catch rate of 82.8 percent while averaging nearly 60 receiving yards per game (31.2 yards per game through Week 4). Hooper's involvement in the passing attack has accelerated in 2018, with 44 targets in eight outings, compared to 35 targets at this time last year. Upcoming Sunday is a matchup against a Browns defense that's surrendered 58 receptions and six touchdowns to tight ends thus far this season.

Kelce caught seven of nine targets for 99 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 37-21 win over Cleveland.

The Browns played Kansas City close for much of Sunday, but Kelce helped the Chiefs pull away midway through the third quarter by skying between defenders for a 13-yard score, his second of the game. Kelce is finding a groove with three touchdowns in his last two contests, after just three during the season's first seven games. Next Sunday brings an Arizona pass defense ranked in the top 10 in the league in surrendering just 225 passing yards per game.

The Chargers are hopeful Henry (knee) will be able to be activated from injured reserve at some point next month, Adam Schefter reported on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" program.

Henry has been on the PUP list since tearing the ACL in his right knee on May 22, indicating the Chargers had some level of hope that the tight end may be available if the team reached the postseason. After he was seen running with a brace on the knee in mid-September, the best-case scenario was believed to be a return before the end of the regular season. Schefter confirmed as much Sunday, but it's difficult to trust that the third-year tight end will indeed be available for the fantasy postseason due to the nature of the injury.