NFL Player News

Frikser caught all three of his targets to total 44 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Colts.

Firkser was on the receiving end of the Titans' longest offensive play when he hauled in a 28-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert late in the fourth quarter. The game was already decided at that point, and it is worth noting that all three of Firkser's targets came with Gabbert under center rather than Marcus Mariota (stinger). Considering this performance was the height of Firkser's productivity, it's unlikely that he'll be counted in more meaningful game situations and with Mariota under center.

Ertz caught two of three targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 48-7 loss to New Orleans.

Coming off a monster 14-catch game in Week 10, Ertz laid an egg on Sunday as nothing much went right for the Eagles. The effort snapped a streak of six straight games in which Ertz either topped 100 yards or scored in each contest. A bad showing against what was supposed to be a weak New Orleans pass defense doesn't change that, but he'll face a tougher test next Sunday against a Giants defense that has been middle-of-the-road against the pass, averaging 245 passing yards per game.

Engram brought in both of his targets for 66 yards in the Giants' 38-35 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Engram's day would have been classified as a disappointment had he not ripped off a 54-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter. The athletic tight end's target share was unexpectedly low, but considering the Giants only put the ball up 18 times, this wasn't exactly surprising. Engram is still looking for his first 100-yard game of the season, and he'll look to accomplish it in a Week 12 divisional battle against the Eagles.

Paulsen caught both of his targets, logging 19 receiving yards during a 22-19 loss to Dallas on Sunday.

The veteran tight end made an impressive play in the third quarter, catching a pass short left from Matt Ryan, breaking a tackle and waltzing 13 yards for a first down. Paulsen now has four catches over the past two outings, his most in consecutive games since Weeks 4 and 5 of the 2014 season. Next comes a Thanksgiving night showdown with New Orleans, as the Falcons' playoff hopes lay in dire straits. Paulsen himself has a challenging matchup, facing a Saints defense that entered the weekend allowing just 361 receiving yards to tight ends in 2018 (fifth-fewest in the NFL).

Smith hauled in six of eight targets for 44 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Colts.

Though Smith could not extend his touchdown streak to three games, he set a new career-best mark in both targets and receptions. He appears to be in the midst of a breakout, though his success in the two weeks prior to this game were driven exclusively by his ability to find the end zone. It's unclear who the quarterback for the Titans will be in Week 12 against the Texans, but Smith saw four targets each from Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert. While it would almost certainly be better for Smith's potential production if Mariota (stinger) were able to return for next week's action, his role in the offense Sunday suggested that he could emerge in the later portion of the season.

Hooper hauled in four of eight targets, picking up 27 receiving yards during Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Cowboys.

Hooper endured a ho-hum performance against a Cowboys defense that's struggled at defending the position in 2018 (entered Week 11 allowing the fifth-most tight end receptions). The third-year man was held under 40 yards for the first time since Week 4, while tying his worst catch rate of the season at 50 percent. Outside of three monstrous showings -- a combined 28 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Cleveland -- Hooper has averaged 3.1 catches and fewer than 35 receiving yards per game. Next comes a Thanksgiving night matchup against a Saints defense that ranks among the NFL's three worst teams with over 295 passing yards allowed per game .

Hewitt (ankle) was ruled out for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Hewitt was able to return to practice as a limited participant Thursday, but will have to look toward Week 12 for his potential return. Mo Alie-Cox is set to serve as the Colts' No. 3 tight end behind Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron, since Erik Swoope (knee) was also ruled out.

Kroft underwent season-ending foot surgery Friday and will be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kroft missed the Bengals' past four games due to a fractured right foot and had yet to resume practicing since suffering the injury. His limited progress prompted the Bengals to send him in for the procedure, making Kroft the team's fourth tight end to land on IR this season. Cincinnati signed linebacker Brandon Bell off its practice squad to take Kroft's spot on the 53-man roster.

Graham was diagnosed with a broken thumb Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Packers have yet to reveal a timetable for the tight end's return.

Graham exited Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Seahawks early with the injury, finishing the day with one reception for 13 yards across 21 offensive snaps. X-rays after the contest confirmed that Graham fractured a bone in the thumb, an injury that could compromise his ability to catch passes. Once Graham undergoes some additional scans, the Packers should have a clearer picture of how much time he might miss. Due to playing in the early game this week, Green Bay will have nine full days off until its next contest Nov. 25 in Minnesota. The remaining three healthy tight ends on the roster -- Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan -- would all likely benefit from slight upticks in snaps if Graham is in fact forced to miss game action.

Kroft (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kroft has yet to resume practicing since fracturing his right foot Oct. 7 against the Dolphins, so it comes as little surprise that he'll be sidelined for a fifth straight game. With Kroft out of the picture for another week, Matthew Lengel is expected to act as the top backup to starting tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has been handling the overwhelming share of the offensive snaps at the position for more than a month.