NFL Player News

Gesicki brought in all three of his targets for 24 yards in Monday's 27-20 win over Dallas.

Gesicki has caught all eight of his targets since the Bengals Week 12 bye, resulting in 77 yards. Those numbers scratch the surface for those in deeper formats but leave much to be desired as a standard-league tight end. Gesicki and the Bengals have a road tilt scheduled against the Titans in Week 15.

Schoonmaker brought in both targets for 22 yards in the Cowboys' 27-20 loss to the Bengals on Monday night.

Schoonmaker encouragingly remained involved to an extent even with fellow tight end Jake Ferguson making his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion. Schoonmaker had seen 20 total targets over the previous three games, and although his participation will likely continue to be modest now that Ferguson is healthy, it appears the former has earned a more active role than he previously enjoyed due to his solid play in recent weeks.

Ferguson brought in three of six targets for 32 yards in the Cowboys' 27-20 loss to the Bengals on Monday night.

Making his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion, Ferguson finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Cowboys on the night. Cooper Rush only threw for 183 yards overall, so Ferguson's production was serviceable if unspectacular in that context. The promising tight end draws a favorable matchup in a Week 15 road clash with the Panthers.

Smartt is set for a bump in playing time with Will Dissly (shoulder) likely out multiple weeks, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Hayden Hurst (hip) is technically eligible to return from injured reserve by Week 16, but given there's been zero updates regarding Hurst's health, Smartt effectively has a clear shot at the No. 1 tight end role with Dissly expected to be out. Smartt played a season-high 22 snaps Sunday at Kansas City and parlayed that into three receptions for 54 yards, mostly in the absence of Dissly. The 26-year-old has mainly been a rotational piece in his three-year career, but the 2022 undrafted free agent hasn't had this sort of opportunity to emerge as a fantasy relevant piece.

Dissly is expected to miss "a couple of weeks" due to the shoulder injury he suffered Sunday against Kansas City, but he's not likely to be placed on injured reserve, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Dissly was hurt on the final play -- a 15-yard catch -- of the first half on Sunday Night Football, and he was unable to return to the contest. Subsequent evaluation has revealed an injury that is likely to sideline the tight end multiple weeks, but given Schultz's report that Dissly isn't expected to land on IR, there's a good chance he'll be able to return to action before the end of the regular season. While Dissly is out of action, Stone Smartt is in line to move into a starting role, while Tucker Fisk should see increased work as well.

Okonkwo recorded three catches (on four targets) for eight yards in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Jaguars.

Okonkwo remained Tennessee's primary tight end, as he was on the field for 73 percent of offensive snaps while finishing tied for second on the team with four targets. He caught a 10-yard pass early in the second quarter but otherwise didn't make much of an impact on the game. Okonkwo now has 20 or fewer receiving yards in nine of 13 games on the campaign.

Whyle recorded two receptions on two targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Jaguars.

Whyle has seen snap rate fluctuate in recent weeks, but he was on the field for a season-low five offensive snaps Sunday. Despite that, he recorded multiple receptions and his highest yardage total since Week 8. Whyle could grow into a larger role in future seasons, but for now, he remains a depth option at tight end for the Titans.

Higbee (knee) was listed as a full participant on Monday's practice estimate, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Higbee now has received such a listing on five consecutive Rams injury reports stretching back to Week 13 prep as he seeks his first game action since suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee back on Jan. 14. Coach Sean McVay touched on Higbee on Monday, telling Stu Jackson of the team's official site, "We'll see," regarding whether or not the tight end will make his season debut Thursday at San Francisco. "I don't have a great sense of it," McVay added. "That was always something we left open as a possibility, but certainly don't want to rush it." Higbee has more than a week remaining in his 21-day window in which to be evaluated for a potential activation from the reserve/PUP list, so a decision may not be imminent.

Odukoya reverted to the Titans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Odukoya was active for Sunday's 10-6 loss to Jacksonville, failing to record any stats while playing eight snaps on special teams. The tight end can be elevated to the active roster two more times this season before he'd have to officially be added to the active roster.

Barner caught his lone target for 13 yards in Sunday's 30-18 win over the Cardinals.

Barner caught a short checkdown from QB Geno Smith and used his physicality to gain extra yards after the catch. The rookie fourth-round pick recorded a 38 percent snap share as the Seahawks' No. 2 tight end.