NFL Player News

Vannett recorded one reception on one target for eight yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jaguars.

Vannett played a minimal role on offense, as he was on the field for just 12 offensive snaps. However, he made the most of his role and lone target in the game by hauling in a wide-open target from eight yards away to find the end zone. Vannett now has 15 receptions on the season, three of which have gone for touchdowns.

Higgins gathered in two of three targets for 23 yards during Saturday's 13-9 loss at the Rams.

The Cardinals deployed three tight ends, but Trey McBride continued to dominate snaps (73 of 79) and targets (16, which resulted in a 12-123-1 line) ahead of Higgins (22 and three, respectively) and Tip Reiman (24 and zero). Since the team's Week 11 bye, Higgins' snap share has ranged from 19 to 36 percent, but his cumulative 6-56-0 line on nine targets over the last six contests has left much to be desired. He'll look to put one last stamp on his second pro season in Week 18 against the 49ers.

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

Shenker was elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row ahead of Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints, failing to record any stats while playing four snaps on offense and 20 snaps on special teams. The tight end seems likely to be added to the active roster again for the team's regular-season finale in Week 18 against the Chargers.

Culp secured three of four targets for 52 yards in the Buccaneers' 48-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

With Cade Otton (knee) sidelined for a second straight week, Culp saw the first four targets of his career and made good use of them with gains of 26, 17 and nine yards on his trio of grabs. A rookie seventh-round pick, Culp displayed some solid pass-catching chops during his college days at Washington with a 66-711-4 line across 42 games over his last four seasons of eligibility. Culp logged 20 snaps in Sunday's lopsided victory, and although Payne Durham paced the position group comfortably with 59 plays from scrimmage, Culp's performance may have earned him more playing time in a Week 18 home matchup against the Saints.

The Ravens are hopeful that Kolar (forearm) will be activated off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale against the Browns, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kolar was designated to return from IR on Monday after missing the last four games due to a fractured arm that he suffered against the Chargers in Week 12. Head coach John Harbaugh said that Baltimore will evaluate Kolar's progression in practice in order to determine whether the third-year tight end will play Saturday. If Kolar is cleared to play, he would serve as the Ravens' No. 3 tight end behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Kolar (forearm) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.

Kolar has missed the Ravens' last four games after fracturing his forearm in the Week 12 win over the Chargers. However, he was designated to return Monday and now has 21 days to be added to Baltimore's active roster before reverting to IR. Kolar's practice participation throughout the week will likely offer the best insight into whether he will be able to return for the Ravens' Week 18 matchup against the Browns.

Hill (knee) recently underwent surgery, and he's expected to make a full recovery, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Hill tore his left ACL in Week 13 against the Rams. With surgery complete and successful, the veteran tight end will work to return to action next season. Hill's current contract with New Orleans runs through the 2025 campaign.

Smartt caught both of his targets for 23 yards in the 40-7 win over the Patriots on Saturday.

Will Dissly (35 snaps) and Tucker Fisk (32 snaps) both played more than Smartt, who had benefitted in recent weeks due to the absence of Dissly and Hayden Hurst (illness). With Dissly back, Smartt should fade back into the No. 2 tight end committee that sees him typically used as an additional blocker.

Yeboah didn't catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 40-14 loss to the Bills

Yeboah has gone without a catch on three targets since scoring his first career touchdown in Week 11 against the Colts. He'll continue to fill a depth role in the season finale against Miami.

Hooper caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in Saturday's 40-7 loss to the Chargers.

Hooper was on the field for 24 of the Patriots' 53 snaps on offense Saturday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry logged a season-low 30 snaps and didn't catch either of his targets in the contest. The duo will continue their TE time-share in next weekend's season finale at home versus a Bills team that has secured the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed.