NFL Player News

Otton (knee) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 game against the Saints, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Otton will thus miss his third consecutive game as a result of the knee injury. The Buccaneers will enter the postseason as the NFC South champion with a victory over the Saints on Sunday, so the hope will be that Otton is recovered sufficiently to participate in a wild-card matchup next weekend. In the meantime, Payne Durham and Devin Culp will once again serve as the top pass-catching options at tight end for the Buccaneers after combining for a 5-88-1 line in a Week 17 win over the Panthers.

Okonkwo is active for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Okonkwo popped up on the injury report in the middle of the week, and there was some concern about his status after he failed to practice Friday. However, he'll be set to suit up and has seen increased involvement in the Tennessee offense to close the season, commanding a combined 28 targets across his last three games. With Tyler Boyd (foot) sidelined, Okonkwo should have a better chance of maintaining his elevated role.

Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers.

The veteran tight end practiced in limited fashion throughout the week, but Johnson, who's also played through a foot injury recently, will suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale. Johnson enters the divisional clash against the Buccaneers already sporting a new career high in receptions (44) and is coming off a game in which he produced a season-best 6-66 line on 10 targets against the Raiders in Week 17 while working with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who'll once again be under center Sunday in place of Derek Carr (hand).

Henry (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bills.

After being listed as limited at practice this past week, Henry carried a 'questionable' designation into the weekend. With Henry sidelined for the Patriots' season finale, Austin Hooper is available to lead a Week 18 tight-end corps that also includes Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover. Henry, who is under contract with New England through the 2026 campaign, thus concludes his fourth year with the franchise with a receiving line of 66/674/2 on 97 targets in 16 games.

Gesicki secured eight of 10 targets for 68 yards in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night.

Gesicki finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets behind Ja'Marr Chase, as Tee Higgins' early exit due to an ankle injury helped boost the veteran tight end's involvement. Gesicki finished the regular season with a combined 18-154 line on 22 targets over the last two games, and his final 65-665-2 tally across 17 regular-season games featured his best catch and yardage totals since his 2021 season with Dolphins. If the Bengals are able to squeak into the postseason with a Broncos loss and Dolphins loss or tie Sunday, Gesicki figures to remain a solid complementary component of the air attack irrespective of Higgins' availability.

Freiermuth recorded eight receptions on 11 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 19-17 loss to the Bengals.

Freiermuth was the only impactful pass catcher for Pittsburgh, and he showed rapport with Russell Wilson in a late-game comeback attempt. His performance was highlighted by a 19-yard touchdown grab with eight minutes remaining in the contest, though he also chipped in gains of 17, 11 and 10 yards to post his highest yardage total of the season. The only drawback for Freiermuth was a drop in the final seconds that could have set the Steelers up for a game-winning field-goal attempt. Nevertheless, Freiermuth closes the regular season having matched his career high with seven touchdowns while setting a new career high with 65 catches. Given George Pickens' recent struggles, Freiermuth arguably enters the postseason as Wilson's most reliable pass catcher.

Likely caught three of five targets for 38 yards in Saturday's 35-10 win over the Browns.

Likely finished third in targets for the Ravens on Saturday while tying his highest yardage total since Week 13. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the talented backup failed to hit pay dirt, which ended his touchdown streak at two games. Likely finishes the regular season with new career bests in receptions (42), receiving yards (474) and touchdowns (six). The Ravens will now prepare for either the Chargers or the Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Andrews had four receptions on eight targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 35-10 win over the Browns.

Andrews capped off a stellar second half of the fantasy season with his sixth straight game recording a touchdown. The 28-year-old set a new personal career best by catching his 11th touchdown of the regular season, finishing with a 55-673-11 line over 17 active games. Andrews and the Ravens will now turn their attention to either the Steelers or the Chargers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Akins recorded six receptions on eight targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 35-10 loss to the Ravens.

Akins served as the Browns' starting tight end due to David Njoku (knee) being sidelined for the second consecutive week. He was one of the few bright spots in the offense, finishing second on the team in both targets and yards. Akins also accounted for Cleveland's only touchdown of the game with a 16-yard reception early in the fourth quarter. Overall, he's settled into a reliable backup tight end role and is set to enter free agency after spending the last two seasons with Cleveland.

Sample (groin) is active for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

Sample was expected to play in Saturday's regular-season finale despite missing practice all week due to a groin injury. Sample will serve as the Bengals' No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki.