NFL Player News

Hurst was not targeted during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.

The veteran tight end returned from a one-game absence due to illness, but he played just six offensive snaps versus Las Vegas while working behind a healthy Will Dissly. Hurst is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so the playoffs, beginning with Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Texans, will be his final chance to impress other teams. Across nine regular-season appearances in 2024, Hurst has secured just eight of 13 targets for 73 yards, and he hasn't played more than eight offensive snaps in a game since Week 4.

Smartt was not targeted during Sunday's 34-20 win over the Raiders.

Smartt played just 13 offensive snaps in Los Angeles' regular-season finale, a lesser total than both Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk. Across 15 regular-season appearances, Smartt logged 16 catches (19 targets) for 208 yards with zero touchdowns. After the Chargers' playoff run, which will begin on the road against Houston on Saturday in a wild-card round matchup, Smartt will be slated to become a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Cleveland signed McKitty to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday.

The Browns signed McKitty to their practice squad in December, and now he'll start the new league year with them. Key contributor Jordan Akins is not a sure thing to return in the offseason, meaning a restructuring of Cleveland's tight ends group may be forthcoming.

Carolina signed Matthews to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Matthews appeared in four games with the Panthers in 2024, drawing just one target for zero receptions on a total of 26 offensive snaps. Carolina also signed Dominique Dafney to a similar deal Tuesday, so the two may have to compete to distinguish themselves during the offseason.

Carolina signed Dafney to a reserve/futures contract Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Dafney did not suit up for regular-season action in 2024, but he did end the campaign on the Panthers' practice squad, and he'll start the new year with them too. Key contributor Tommy Tremble is coming off a contract year and is no lock to be back in Carolina in 2025, but Ja'Tavion Sanders projects for a large share of snaps at tight end in 2025 either way.

Stover did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 23-14 win over Tennessee in Week 18.

Stover had missed Weeks 15 and 16 while recovering from an appendectomy but has since returned. He played a less-than-normal 19 snaps in his first game back and was at his usual level (36 snaps) for the regular-season finale. The rookie tight end gained a lot of experience in 2024 after Brevin Jordan (knee) sustained a season-ending ACL injury in Week 2. When healthy, Stover played 42.1 percent of the offensive snaps. That exposure, however, didn't lead to much production. Stover finished with 15 catches, 22 targets, 133 yards and one touchdown over 15 games played. There isn't expected to be much change at the position group next season; both Jordan and starting tight end Dalton Schultz are under contract for 2025.

The Seahawks reverted Mabry to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Mabry was elevated for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams but ended up being inactive for the contest. After spending all of 2023 on Seattle's practice squad, the fourth-year tight end got into two games this season, logging four offensive snaps and six special-teams snaps without posting any other stats. Mabry has just one catch -- a seven-yard TD reception -- over 12 games in his NFL career.

Culp secured both targets for 36 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Culp once again made good use of his opportunities with Cade Otton (knee) sidelined, flashing his downfield chops with catches of 16 and 20 yards in the playoff-clinching win. The rookie has been impressive over the last pair of contests, but he may be relegated back to a minor role in Sunday night's wild-card home battle against the Commanders if Otton is able to return to action.

The Raiders reverted Shenker to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Shenker was elevated for Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Chargers and played all 12 of his snaps on special teams. The 26-year-old ended up playing in eight contests for Las Vegas during the regular season -- five as part of the active roster and three as a practice-squad elevation -- and totaled one catch on one target for seven yards.

Durham brought in both targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Durham drew another start for Cade Otton (knee) and played on a robust 54 snaps (81 percent) in the close, playoff-clinching win. The second-year pro also recorded his second career touchdown on a six-yard pass early in the third quarter, which narrowed what had been a 16-6 halftime deficit. Durham has done a solid job over the last three games in Otton's stead, but the latter's ability to practice in a limited fashion on two occasions during Week 18 prep could be a sign he'll be ready to return for Sunday night's wild-card matchup against the Commanders.