NFL Player News

Sanders caught three of his five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win against the Falcons.

Sanders had really struggled since returning from his neck injury in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles, managing to catch just one of his three targets for five yards over four games prior to Sunday's performance. The rookie tight end from Texas finished as the Panthers' fourth-leading receiver in Week 18, outpacing fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (30 yards). Sanders finished his rookie campaign as Carolina's top receiver from the tight end spot, recording 33 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown in 16 appearances.

Schultz recorded three catches on three targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 23-14 win over the Titans.

Schultz played throughout the first half, well after most of the top Texans' skill-position players were rested. His longest catch went for 13 yards on Houston's first possession, and he concludes the season with 532 yards -- his lowest yardage total since 2019. However, Schultz has remained a consistent target earner, as he's topped 50 receptions in six straight campaigns, and he should retain a peripheral role in the Houston offense in a likely matchup with the Chargers in the first round of the playoffs.

Strange caught all four of his targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Colts.

It was a nice bounce-back effort from the second-year tight end, who failed to catch his only target in Week 17 against the Titans. Strange started the final four games of the season for the Jaguars with Evan Engram (shoulder) sidelined, catching 17 of 21 targets for 155 yards over that stretch. Engram is expected to be fully healthy to begin Jacksonville's offseason program and has one more year remaining on his current contract, which will likely relegate Strange to a backup role again to begin 2025.

Long (knee) is doubtful to return to Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Long suffered a knee injury in the first half versus Los Angeles, and likely is done for the day. The tight end failed to garner a target or record any stats before his departure. In Long's absence, Davis Allen stands to see an increase in workload with the Rams' offense.

Kraft caught four of seven targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Bears.

Kraft led the Packers in targets as Green Bay played without Romeo Doubs (illness) and lost Christian Watson (knee) in the second quarter. Fellow second-year tight end Luke Musgrave missed most of the regular season due to an ankle injury, allowing Kraft to blossom in the lead role. Kraft capitalized on his opportunity with 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns on 70 targets. As the No. 7 seed, the Packers will travel to Philadelphia in the wild-card round.

Ertz caught all five of his targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys.

Ertz caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota to put the Commanders ahead 10-9 in the third quarter. After scoring only once through Week 10, Ertz compiled six touchdowns in his last seven games to create substantial momentum ahead of the wild-card round of the playoffs, in which Washington will face either the Rams or Buccaneers. Ertz finishes his 12th NFL regular season with 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets.

Conklin (calf) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Dolphins.

The veteran tight end got in only a limited Friday practice this past week, but he'll be available in his usual No. 1 tight-end role versus the Dolphins as the Jets aim to play spoiler for Miami's thin playoff hopes. Conklin needs only one reception to hit the 50-catch mark for the fourth straight season, including a third consecutive in as many Jets seasons.

Kelce (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Kelce didn't miss any practice time this week, but with the Chiefs having already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed heading to regular-season finale, he'll be rested along with several other key players on both sides of the ball. Noah Gray and Peyton Hendershot will be the Chiefs' available options at tight end in Week 18.

Kittle (ankle/hamstring) is listed as active Sunday in Arizona, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Kittle has been a regular on 49ers practice reports this season, with ankle and hamstring injuries capping him to a pair of limited sessions during Week 18 prep. He'll avoid missing his third game of the season Sunday, but he won't be working with No. 1 QB Brock Purdy (elbow). Instead, Joshua Dobbs will be under center, while Kittle will be taking on a Cardinals defense that allowed him to go for 8-64-1 on 12 targets back in Week 5.

Hooper is expected to start at tight end Sunday against the Bills with Hunter Henry (foot) inactive for the contest, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

Henry's absence leaves the Patriots with Hooper, Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover as their available options at tight end. The 30-year-old Hooper is by far the most experienced option of the trio, though he's on an expiring contract, and the 3-13 Patriots may not be keen on giving a starter's workload in the season finale. Hooper enters Sunday's game having produced a 41-449-3 line on 53 targets through 16 appearances.