NFL Player News

Whyle recorded five receptions (on seven targets) for 29 yards in Sunday's 23-14 loss to the Texans. He also converted a two-point conversion.

Chig Okonkwo was on the injury report with an abdominal injury during the week and played very limited snaps. That created additional opportunity for Whyle, who logged a career-best 37 snaps and seven targets. He converted that into only 29 yards, though it was still a positive close to the season. Whyle took a significant step forward in 2024, and he should be in line to work alongside Okonkwo more frequently in two tight-end sets in 2025.

Ferguson caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.

The third-year tight end had a quiet end to a disappointing season, failing to top 40 receiving yards or score a TD in any of his last seven appearances dating back to Week 10. Ferguson dealt with injuries in 2024 but also was a victim of a loss effectiveness for the Cowboys offense, particularly after Dak Prescott (hamstring) was lost for the season. After posting a 71-761-5 line during a breakout 2023, Ferguson slid back to 59 catches (on 86 targets) for 494 yards and zero touchdowns in 2024. He currently has one year left on his rookie contract, which should ensure he heads into next season at the top of the depth chart, but Luke Schoonmaker could take on a bigger role as a pass catcher and cut into Ferguson's volume in 2025.

Okonkwo was not targeted in Sunday's 23-14 loss to the Texans.

Okonkwo popped up on the injury report Thursday with an abdominal injury and didn't practice at all Friday. While he ended up being active in Week 18, he played only three offensive snaps. Even with the sour finish to the campaign, Okonkwo emerged late in the season by accruing 28 receptions for 217 yards on 38 targets over the prior five games. With improved quarterback play in 2025, Okonkwo could be in line for better results.

Everett played three snaps in the Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Before the season, Everett signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Bears. The signing was interesting because Chicago already had Cole Kmet on a long-term deal. Everett came into this year having posted at least 408 yards in five straight seasons. Playing with the Bears, the veteran caught eight of 13 targets for 31 yards. Unless Kmet misses time, it seems unlikely that there is a path to meaningful production as Everett enters the last year of his contract with Chicago.

Manhertz will undergo surgery Thursday to address ligament ruptures in one of his fingers, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Manhertz presumably suffered the injury to his finger during Sunday's game at Philadelphia. His next chance to play will come in 2025, and he wraps up this season with three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown on four targets.

Kmet caught both his targets for three yards in the Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Kmet posted a career year in 2023, recording 73 catches on 90 targets for 719 yards and six touchdowns while serving as the de facto No. 2 option in the team's passing attack. The Bears had three quality wide receivers in 2024 however after bringing in Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze to support DJ Moore, while rookie QB Caleb Williams was not an immediate success in the NFL. As a result, Kmet was targeted just 55 times, leading to 474 yards and four touchdowns. In terms of receptions and yardage, this was the tight end's worst season since his rookie campaign in 2020. Kmet will need the Chicago passing attack to take a major step forward under its new coaching staff if he has any hope of being a solid fantasy option again, although if Allen departs in free agency, it could open up more looks for the TE. Kmet is under contract with the Bears through 2027.

Higbee finished with five receptions on seven targets for 46 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-25 loss to Seattle.

Higbee was one of the few regular starters who head coach Sean McVay did not rest ahead of the upcoming wild-card round of the playoffs. The veteran tight end likely got the extra run after missing most of the regular season rehabbing from an ACL tear in January. Higbee looked like his usual self Sunday, posting a full stat line after meager results in his first two games back. The 32-year-old should be revved up to host the Vikings in next Monday's playoff tilt.

Fant corralled five of six targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-25 win over the Rams.

Fant saved his best for last in 2024 after scoring his first touchdown in the Seahawks' season finale. The veteran tight end finishes the season with a modest 53-563-1 receiving line in 14 starts for Seattle, with his lack of touchdowns being the biggest drawback. Fant remains under contract for the 2025 season, but he will have to fend off 2024 fourth-round pick AJ Barner for the starting job after the latter also hit pay dirt in Sunday's victory.

Hockenson had two receptions on eight targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Lions.

Horrible catch rates was the theme for the Vikings' receiving unit in Sunday's NFC North battle for the No. 1 seed in the conference. Hockenson, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined for just six receptions on 23 targets (26 percent catch rate) in quarterback Sam Darnold's worst game of an otherwise impressive season. The 28-year-old Hockenson finishes the regular season with 41 receptions, 455 yards and no touchdowns in an injury-shortened campaign. Minnesota's entire offense will try to get back on track ahead of next Monday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams.

LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Vikings.

LaPorta tied his season high in catches, though he failed to score after producing four touchdowns in the previous five games. The second-year tight end rebounded from a slow start to finish the regular season with 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns on 83 targets. Those numbers are all down significantly from LaPorta's 86-catch, 10-touchdown rookie regular season, but all will be forgiven if LaPorta steps up in the postseason. The top-seeded Lions will open the playoffs with a bye before hosting a game in the NFC divisional round.