NFL Player News

Lions tight end Joseph Fauria stepped in in the absence of Brandon Pettigrew with a decent performance during Sunday's loss to the Giants in Week 16.

Fauria caught a pair of passes for 17 yards, respectively, in the first half. He was held to just one catch for nine yards in the second half but did score a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. He caught three of the seven passes thrown his way for 43 yards in a 23-20 defeat.

The Lions, already eliminated from the playoffs, will end the season at Minnesota in Week 17.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis showed off his physicality on a touchdown grab in the first quarter Week 16 against the Titans, leaping over defender Bernard Pollard to pull down the 4-yard pass. The touchdown was his fourth in as many games.

Lewis had a similar-looking grab in the open field earlier on the drive but didn't finish with huge numbers, catching four passes for 50 yards. His six targets were tied for second-most on the team.

Though he has yet to exceed 54 receiving yards in a game this season, his two most productive games have been his last two, both coming with top wide receiver Cecil Shorts on IR. Lewis will look to keep it going Week 17 at Indianapolis.

Top receiver Jordy Nelson was the most productive of the minor contributors for the Packers Sunday against Pittsburgh. He caught three passes for 46 yards in the loss, including a 7-yarder to start a vain last-ditch drive.

Also catching one pass in the game was tight end Andrew Quarless, whose fourth quarter snag went for 19 yards.

Running back John Kuhn pitched in with 12 yards on three carries, including a 1-yard scoring burst in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 31-31.

Buccaneers tight end Timothy Wright caught four passes in Week 16 against the Rams, but was mostly held in check in a 23-13 loss. Wright had a long reception of just 8 yards, and finished the game with only 27 yards receiving overall.  

Wright is enjoying a solid rookie season, and has one more game in Week 17 to add to his numbers. He heads into the finale with 49 receptions for 513 yards on four touchdowns. 

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham caught a touchdown Week 16 against the Panthers.

Graham was once again Drew Brees' main target, being targeted 11 times. He caught five passes for 73 yards. He caught a 5 yard score in the fourth quarter. One of his targets came from backup Luke McCown on a fake field goal attempt. McCown attempted to hit Graham on a deep pass, but the two were out of synch. Graham will take on the Buccaneers Week 17.

Washington tight ends Logan Paulsen and Fred Davis did not play a big factor week 16 against the Cowboys. 

Paulsen caught two passes for 7 yards. Davis caught one pass for 9 yards. Both players filled in for Jordan Reed, who was shut down for the season with a concussion. They'll take on the Giants Week 17.

The Lions have ruled Kellen Moore, Brandon Pettigrew, Mikel Leshoure, Chris Houston, Rashean Mathis, Leroy Harris and Rodney Austin inactive for Sunday's home game against the Giants in Week 16.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis, who was listed as probable on Friday's injury report because of a thigh issue, is active for Week 16 against the Titans.

Lewis was able to practice in full all week despite the injury. He could play a bigger role in the passing game with Cecil Shorts on IR because of a groin injury.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham is inactive for a second straight game because of a hamstring injury Week 16 against the Broncos. He was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.

Ryan Griffin figures to get more playing time in Graham's absence.

Buccaneers tight end Timothy Wright is rolling coming into Week 16 at St. Louis. But is he worth the risk of starting in a potential Fantasy title game?

Wright has touchdowns in consecutive outings against Buffalo and San Francisco, and he's scored at least seven Fantasy points in three of his past four games. He could easily keep it going because we've seen when he's involved he tends to do well, having scored at least seven Fantasy points in five of the six games when he's had at least five targets.

But the Rams have done well against tight ends all season. Only Martellus Bennett and Vernon Davis have reached double digits in Fantasy points against St. Louis, including matchups with Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker, Coby Fleener and Jimmy Graham, who was limited to two catches for 25 yards last week.

I'm nervous with Wright in this matchup, and I don't trust him as a starter in a potential championship game. He is more of a No. 2 Fantasy tight end this week.