NFL Player News

Sinnott played 42 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense and recorded a seven-yard reception on his lone target in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Though the Commanders invested a second-round pick in April's draft into Sinnott, the 22-year-old tight end out of Kansas State has handled a relatively muted role during his rookie campaign. His reception in the Week 15 win was just his fifth of the season, but he could see his best opportunity to date to produce in this Sunday's game against the Eagles if top tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) is unable to play. After Ertz logged just 18 snaps against the Saints before departing, Sinnott and John Bates (42 snaps) finished with an even split of the playing time at tight end.

Njoku (hamstring) is not in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that he was hopeful that Njoku -- who was inactive for the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs -- could return to action Sunday against the Bengals. However, with the tight end set to miss his fourth consecutive practice Wednesday, he'll be left with two more chances to log some on-field work before the Browns post their Week 16 game designations. If Njoku is forced to miss a second straight game, Jordan Akins would once again have an expanded role in Cleveland's passing game.

The Browns signed Bates off the Jets' practice squad Wednesday.

Bates suited up for five games with New York early in the season, before bumping down to the team's practice squad mid-October. The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky is still looking for an opportunity to log his first career catch in the NFL.

Mayer caught one of two targets for 11 yards in Monday's 15-9 loss to the Falcons.

Mayer didn't come close to repeating his Week 14 performance that included seven catches for 68 yards on nine targets in Tampa Bay, but he did reach a 70 percent offensive snap share on Monday Night Football as the Raiders continued to use plenty of two-TE sets. Rookie standout Brock Bowers remains the alpha at this position ahead of a Week 16 matchup against the Jaguars, but Mayer shouldn't yet be completely crossed off in deeper formats, especially with quarterback Aidan O'Connell (knee) possibly returning to the lineup.

Willis played all 20 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.

The 49ers kept four tight ends active Thursday, but only two (George Kittle and Eric Saubert) saw snaps on offense, while Willis and Jake Tonges were limited to special-teams roles. Willis has suited up in seven games this season but has played just 10 total snaps on offense.

Saubert played 17 of the 49ers' 54 snaps on offense and went without a target in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.

Since playing a season-high 55 snaps in a Week 11 loss to the Seahawks while starting in place of the injured George Kittle, Saubert's role on offense has predictably been scaled back in recent weeks. While Kittle has suited up in each of the ensuing four contests, Saubert has drawn just two total targets and has played less than one-third of the offensive snaps in every game.

Tonges played all 14 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.

Tonges has suited up for all 14 of the 49ers' games, but the reserve tight end has yet to draw a target. He's seen the overwhelming majority of his playing time on special teams, as he's logged just 30 snaps on offense all season.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Engram underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Engram was ruled out for the Jaguars' final four games of the season when he was placed on injured reserve Saturday, though it wasn't immediately known if he would get surgery to address the labrum tear. With the procedure now confirmed, Engram will likely be shut down from activity for a few weeks before beginning a rehab program. Pederson said he expects Engram to be a full participant when the Jaguars begin their offseason program in the spring, when the 30-year-old tight end will be heading into the final season of the three-year, $41.25 million extension he signed in July 2023. After turning in a career-best 114-catch, 963-yard season in 2023, Engram took a big step back statistically in 2024, but he was still a usable fantasy starter in PPR formats with a 47-365-1 receiving line on 64 targets over nine appearances.

Allen (shoulder) played 15 of the Rams' 65 snaps on offense and went without a target in Thursday's 12-6 win over the 49ers.

Listed as questionable leading up to Thursday due to the shoulder injury, Allen received clearance to play but didn't carve out much of a role on offense. He finished third among Rams tight ends in snaps, trailing Colby Parkinson (32) and Hunter Long (22). With the Rams activated Tyler Higbee (knee) from the PUP list Tuesday in anticipation that he makes his season debut Sunday against the Jets, Allen could be a candidate for the inactive list.

Knox caught two of three targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 48-42 win over the Lions.

Knox played 51 of the Bills' 70 offensive snaps Sunday, the most of any Buffalo tight end. Meanwhile, teammate Dalton Kincaid returned from a three-game absence due to a knee injury and saw four more targets than Knox despite playing 17 less snaps. The 28-year-old Knox will likely continue to see his role decrease with the more dynamic Kincaid back in the mix. The veteran is best left out of fantasy lineups going forward with a Week 16 matchup against the Patriots on tap.