Ruckert caught one of three targets for two yards in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Patriots.

In the ongoing absence of Mason Taylor (neck), Ruckert has ceded most of the pass-catching opportunities to Stone Smartt. Ruckert has three catches for 16 yards on six targets over the past two games, while Smartt has caught seven of eight targets for 52 yards in that span. Heading into the regular-season finale against the Bills, Ruckert has exceeded two catches only twice this season.

Whiteheart was unable to secure his lone target over 32 snaps in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers in Week 17.

It was just the fifth target in 16 games for Whiteheart, who has served mostly as a blocker this season. He led Browns tight ends in snaps after starter Harold Fannin (groin) was removed late in the first quarter. Whiteheart is not expected to gain a larger share of targets if the Browns decide to sit Fannin for the regular-season finale next Sunday against the Bengals. With Fannin sidelined for most of Week 17's contest, Sal Cannella led Cleveland's tight ends with four targets.

Bates caught his lone target for 19 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh in Week 17.

After starting tight end Harold Fannin (groin) was removed from the game late in the first quarter and later ruled out, Bates and Cleveland's other backups got more involved. The reception was Bates' first since joining the Browns in late October. Fannin, who has been a regular on injury reports the last few weeks, is an important piece for the future. As such, the club may want to end his season early, which could lead to more opportunities for Bates, Sal Cannella and Blake Whiteheart in next week's regular-season finale against Cincinnati.

Cannella caught two of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers in Week 17.

Cannella was elevated from the practice squad for the game and unexpectedly led the team's tight ends in targets. That's partially due to Harold Fannin (groin) being removed after just 12 snaps. It's notable that Cannella was the preferred target over the already rostered Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates. If the Browns opt to shelve Fannin for the regular-season finale against the Bengals, Cannella could serve as the primary receiving option at tight end.

Saubert didn't catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

Saubert handled 52 percent of the offensive snaps, a season high for the veteran tight end, but he mostly stuck to a blocking role. The 2017 fifth-round pick has been targeted just four times over 10 games.

Tonges corralled seven of nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-38 win over the Bears.

Tonges got the spot-start in place of George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday Night Football and took full advantage of the opportunity. The 25-year-old Tonges posted his best receiving line as a pro while leading the 49ers in targets and receptions in the primetime win. Savvy fantasy managers would have gotten ahead of this performance after monitoring the backup's role elevation when Kittle missed time earlier this season. Kittle's status for next week's matchup against Seattle -- which will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC -- remains up in the air, but Tonges would retain his vaunted streaming status in fantasy if the former remains sidelined in Week 18.

Loveland finished with six receptions on 10 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-38 loss to San Francisco.

The rookie tight end was asked to take on a larger role in the passing game with wideouts Rome Odunze (foot) and Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) sitting out Sunday Night Football in Week 17. Loveland responded to the moment with a 36-yard touchdown in the first half while finishing the primetime loss with his second largest fantasy score as a pro. The Michigan product has come on strong over his last nine contests, averaging 56.2 yards per game while scoring all five of his touchdowns this season over that span. TE Cole Kmet remained involved with two receptions for 16 yards, but Loveland is the Chicago tight end to target in fantasy when the Bears face the Lions in Week 18.

Kmet caught both targets for 16 yards in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

Kmet has caught two or three passes in five straight contests, including two targets in this game while operating behind Colston Loveland. After posting between 28 and 45 receiving yards in four of those games, he has been held to 16 yards or fewer in his last two. The limited target volume keeps him confined to deep-league tight end consideration.

Smythe caught his lone target for 11 yards in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

Smythe has now recorded one reception for 11 or fewer yards in four of his last seven contests, drawing just one target in this game. Those four catches account for all of his receiving production this season. His role remains too limited to provide reliable fantasy value outside of emergency depth situations.

Freiermuth recorded three receptions on five targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns.

Freiermuth was curiously uninvolved for most of the game, but he was easily Pittsburgh's most productive pass catcher. He logged a 23-yard reception just before halftime to set up a field goal and then recorded long gains of 29 and 11 yards on the Steelers' final drive as they attempted to tie the game. Freiermuth should have the chance to step up again in Week 18 in a pivotal matchup against Baltimore with DK Metcalf (suspension) still sidelined and Darnell Washington (arm) likely to be out.