NFL Player News

Njoku wasn't targeted in Sunday's 33-18 loss to the Steelers.

Njoku's failure to show up in the box score comes as a tremendous surprise, considering how he corralled 11 passes on 18 targets for 104 yards and two touchdowns during Cleveland's previous two games prior to Sunday. Hopefully, this is just an aberration and not a sign of things to come. The Browns offense is expected to change with Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley no longer associated with the team, though it remains to be seen if that change is positive. Njoku -- along with the rest of Cleveland's offensive playmakers -- will look to bounce back against the Chiefs defense Week 9.

Thomas caught his only target for 15 yards in Sunday's 36-21 win over the Ravens.

Thomas played eight offensive snaps working behind Greg Olsen at tight end. Although that role hasn't proven conducive to much production at all, he at least caught his lone look Week 8.

Bell caught one of two targets for 13 yards in Sunday's loss to the Eagles in London.

Bell out-snapped fill-in starter David Grinnage 32-to-28, but the latter was much more involved in the passing game. The reception is Bell's first since Week 14 of last season when he was with the Vikings. Starter James O'Shaugnessy (hip) will have the Week 9 bye to continue his recovery, and his health will determine Grinnage and Bell's involvement when the Jaguars face the Colts in Week 10.

Higbee played 62 of 78 offensive snaps and caught his only target for six yards during Sunday's 29-27 win over the Packers.

This was Higbee's first catch since Week 5, and he's recorded just six receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown all season. The third-year tight end continues to see the majority of playing time for the Rams, but it's not translating into fantasy success. Fellow tight end Gerald Everett remains more involved in the passing attack despite playing fewer offensive snaps, too. It's safe to fade Higbee in all settings at this stage of the season.

Everett played just 17 of 78 offensive snaps and caught one of his two targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 29-27 win over the Packers.

The 22-yard grab stands as Everett's longest reception of the season and also reaffirmed his big-play potential. He hauled in four 20-yard receptions as a rookie last season, after all. Unfortunately, Everett's target share is too small to make him a reliable fantasy asset, and he's also consistently playing fewer offensive snaps than fellow tight end Tyler Higbee. Additionally, with the Rams out to an 8-0 start, it's unlikely the offensive game plan will change to incorporate either tight end into the passing attack significantly more.

Seals-Jones caught two of four targets for 12 yards Sunday in the Cardinals' 18-15 win over the 49ers.

The reception, target and yardage totals matched exactly what Seals-Jones had posted in the Cardinals' 45-10 loss to the Broncos in Week 7. Though he remains the team's clear top option at tight end after starting and playing 48 of a possible 66 offensive snaps (73 percent) Sunday, Seals-Jones has yet to carve out consistent volume in a weak passing game. Quarterback Josh Rosen looked more comfortable in the victory after a rough showing one week prior, but it appears that wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk and running back David Johnson all rank ahead of Seals-Jones as preferred reads for the rookie signal-caller.

Hill caught one pass for five yards, rushed three times for negative two yards and returned two kickoffs for 50 yards in Sunday night's win against the Vikings. He also completed his only pass attempt for 44 yards, a career-long.

In what has become common practice, Hill was once again deployed all over the field by head coach Sean Payton. The third-string quarterback played 18 offensive snaps and probably should have had his first career touchdown pass, but his completion to an open Michael Thomas was underthrown. Hill looks to be a mainstay in the Saints' offensive plans and while his varied contributions would have significant fantasy value, unless he's assigned multi-position eligibility he's unlikely to help most fantasy owners outside of those in two-quarterback leagues.

Graham collected one reception for 21 yards during a 29-27 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Graham cooled off in Week 8, as he was contained to fewer than 25 receiving yards for the third time this season. The veteran tight end came into Sunday's tilt with the Rams having amassed 180 yards on 19 targets over the preceding two games, but Los Angeles' talented defense was able to hold him to just one catch on four targets, often funneling extra attention to the big-bodied Graham in the red zone to keep him making an impact. Sunday presents a promising matchup for Graham in a New England defense that entered the weekend tied for a league-worst five touchdown receptions allowed to tight ends.

Kittle caught five of eight targets for 57 yards during Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Cardinals.

Kittle finished behind only Kendrick Bourne in targets, catches and yardage as he went over 50 receiving yards for the sixth time in eight games. He's begun to draw additional attention from opposing defenses, but his rapport with C.J. Beathard makes him a useful fantasy starter most weeks. Kittle will square off with the Chiefs on Thursday.

Kelce caught six of 10 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 30-23 win over Denver.

Kelce's touchdown reception got Kansas City's offense back on track midway through the second quarter as he split two defenders for a 9-yard score, his first touchdown since his last matchup against Denver in Week 4. Kelce is on pace to tie his career high in touchdown receptions for a season and, even when he isn't scoring, continues to pile up receptions and yardage. The sixth-year veteran has now nabbed at least five passes in seven consecutive games and topped 90 yards receiving in five of those contests. A tough matchup against a stingy Cleveland pass defense looms next Sunday.