NFL Player News

Giants tight end Larry Donnell had a mixed game Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Donnell led the club with seven receptions and 90 yards during the game. He also turned the ball over twice, losing two fumbles. Both fumbles came in the fourth quarter, as the Giants were attempting to come back against the Cowboys. Donnell is on a bye Week 8.

The Packers received minor contributions from several role players in a comfortable Week 7 victory over the Panthers on Sunday.

Tight ends Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick and Richard Rodgers each came down with one receptions. Rodgers was targeted twice and finished with 1 yard while Quarless finished with 9 yards. Bostick had just 2 receiving yards. Kevin Dorsey was targeted twice and finished with one catch for 4 yards.

Meanwhile, Jarrett Boykin, who was active for the first time since suffering a groin injury, but did not receive a target in a 38-17 victory.

When you see that tight end Cooper Helfet had 61 yards on three catches, including an impressive 19-yard touchdown in which he caught the ball over the top of a defender while keeping his feet in bounds, your natural reaction might be to say, "Hey, it's because Percy Harvin is no longer with the team."

But that wasn't the biggest contributing factor to his performance. Above all, he saw more time on the field because the Seahawks' top two tight ends, Zach Miller and Luke Willson, were sidelined by injuries. Miller has now missed three games following ankle surgery and will likely miss a couple more, but Willson (groin) was a game-time decision for Week 7. He could certainly return in Week 8.

True, maybe Helfet's touchdown grab earns him a bigger slice of the pie going forward, but sharing the tight end spot on a run-first team probably won't yield much in Fantasy. Again, even in this one, he had just three catches total.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught all four of his targets for 33 yards in his team's 23-20 win over the Chargers in Week 7.

Kelce came into the week with touchdowns in three straight games but watched fullback Anthony Sherman grab the only passing touchdown of the day for Kansas City. It's Kelce's second straight game falling short of 10 yards per catch after crossing that mark in each of his first four performances. Kelce has tallied 24 receptions, 307 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs face the Rams in Week 8.

The Lions got contributions from a variety of players in their 24-23 comeback win over the Saints. Among them, wideout Jeremy Ross caught three of his four targets for 32 yards, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew hauled in four of his six targets for 28 yards.

They'll face the Falcons in London in Week 8.

The terrific trio of Colts tight ends played a significant role Sunday in a blanking of Cincinnati.

Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle combined for eight receptions for 136 yards. The lone score came courtesy of Allen, who gathered in a sideline pass five minutes into the third quarter and raced 32 yards into the end zone. He finished with three catches for 52 yards.

Fleener caught four passes for 64 yards while Doyle made the most of his one target for a 20-yard snag.

The threesome will try to wreak havoc on the Steelers in Week 8.

The Saints were fully prepared to give Jimmy Graham some chances in the red zone, but they ultimately didn't get the chance to in Week 7 against the Lions.

Graham was targeted just twice in the game, with neither coming in the red zone. Of course, the Saints played just three offensive snaps in the red zone overall, and one of those was a spike at the end of the half first to set up a field goal. Graham posted zero Fantasy points in the game, leaving anyone who got him into the lineup at the last minute disappointed, but the thought process behind that decision was the right one.

Graham isn't just one of the best red-zone targets in the league; he is one of the best of all time. Even in a limited role, you wanted him in your lineup just for the chance that he might make some plays down by the goal line. Sure, Sunday's game was a disappointment, but you can't beat yourself up too much.

After all, at least he got through this game healthy and should see a more robust role in Week 8 against the Packers. 

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham played through a shoulder injury Week 7 at Detroit but did not record a catch. Graham was not targeted in the first half and drew two targets after halftime.

Early in the fourth quarter, Graham ran a deep sideline route but Drew Brees overthrew him. Graham's health will be a big topic of discussion as the Saints prepare to host the Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.

The Rams got a slew of offensive contributions in their 28-26 home win over the Seahawks. Wideout Tavon Austin rushed five times for 16 yards and caught three of four targets for 6 yards. Receiver Chris Givens made a 30-yard catch, and wideout Kenny Britt caught two of three targets for 4 yards.

Tight end Cory Harkey added a 9-yard grab.

With the Seahawks missing their top two tight ends, Cooper Helfet stepped up Week 7 at St. Louis, catching three of six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. Helfet made a highlight-worthy play in the fourth quarter when he tapped his toes for a 19-yard score.

He'll visit Carolina in Week 8.