NFL Player News
-
Anthony Firkser TE | KC
Anthony Firkser: Back with practice squad
Firkser reverted to Kansas City's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Firkser was elevated to the active roster for the second straight week, failing to record any stats while playing seven snaps on offense and two snaps with the special-teams unit in Sunday's 21-7 win over the Browns. The tight end can still be elevated one more time before he'd have to be officially signed to the active roster.
-
Will Dissly TE | LAC
Chargers' Will Dissly: Estimated as DNP on Monday
Dissly (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report.
Dissly was injured Week 14 against the Chiefs and missed this past Sunday's loss to the Bucs. He's viewed as "week-to-week," and now the Chargers have a short week ahead of a Thursday night game against the division-rival Broncos. With Dissly out versus Tampa Bay, Stone Smartt played 67 percent of the offensive snaps and posted a useful 5-50-0 line on six targets, though he also lost a fumble.
-
Daniel Bellinger TE | NYG
Giants' Daniel Bellinger: Nabs all three targets Week 15
Bellinger caught all three of his targets for 35 yards Sunday in a 35-14 loss to Baltimore.
Bellinger's target and reception counts tied for third most on the team, and he ranked third in receiving yards behind Malik Nabers (82) and Wan'Dale Robinson (38). With Theo Johnson (foot) out for the season, Bellinger has moved into a starting role and has eight catches for 80 yards over his past two contests. New York's quarterback situation is messy with Drew Lock (heel/elbow) missing Sunday's game and Tommy DeVito leaving late in the second quarter due to a concussion, as journeyman Tim Boyle was left to lead the offense in the second half. The injuries and overall poor play at the QB position could actually play somewhat into a positive situation for Bellinger, though, as he's been used mostly as a security blanket in the short areas of the field.
-
David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Optimism for Week 16
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that he's "hopeful" Njoku (hamstring) will be able to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Stefanski offered similar availability for Cedric Tillman (concussion), as both he and Njoku were sidelined for Cleveland's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs in Week 15. After Jameis Winston was benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson versus Kansas City, however, it remains to be seen who will be under center on the road against the Bengals, even if Njoku manages to retake the field. Wednesday's first official practice report will reveal more details regarding the standout tight end's health.
-
Jeremy Ruckert TE | NYJ
Jets' Jeremy Ruckert: One catch in Conklin's absence
Ruckert caught one of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 32-25 win over the Jaguars.
Ruckert was the only Jets tight end to be targeted in the absence of Tyler Conklin (personal), but the Lindenhurst, NY native didn't take advantage of the added opportunities. Ruckert has yet to exceed 17 yards in a game this season, and he won't have much fantasy upside in Week 16 against the Rams, regardless of Conklin's availability.
-
Austin Hooper TE | NE
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Three catches Sunday
Hooper caught all three of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.
Hooper was on the field for 31 of a possible 51 snaps on offense in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry logged 41 snaps and caught all four of his targets for 25 yards. Though he continues to work in a timeshare with Henry, Hooper has managed to catch three or four passes in each of his last five games, giving him a modest but reliable fantasy floor in deeper/TE-friendly formats.
-
Isaiah Likely TE | BAL
Ravens' Isaiah Likely: Makes two grabs Sunday
Likely caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's win over the Giants.
Likely's usage dropped off Sunday after he drew eight targets in Baltimore's last game. He continues to handle a significant snap share, as he has been on the field for over 50 percent in each of the last three games, but his usage as a receiver is inconsistent. The Ravens play a pivotal home game against the Steelers in Week 16. In Likely's last outing against Pittsburgh in Week 11, he caught four of five targets for 75 yards.
-
Noah Fant TE | SEA
Seahawks' Noah Fant: Minimal output on seven targets
Fant had three receptions on seven targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay.
Fant struggled mightily despite seeing a season-best seven targets in Sunday's lopsided loss. Much of the blame can be placed on backup quarterback Sam Howell's poor play (5-14, 24 yards, INT), who was forced into action early in the second half after Geno Smith (knee) was injured. If the former is asked to start in Week 16, Fant's marginal fantasy value may evaporate completely against the Vikings next Sunday.
-
Grant Calcaterra TE | PHI
Eagles' Grant Calcaterra: Makes one catch
Calcaterra recorded one catch on one target for 22 yards in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Steelers.
Calcattera continues to see an uptick in snaps with Dallas Goedert (knee) sidelined. However, he has only four targets across two games as the team's primary tight end while working behind DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown for targets. So long as that duo remains healthy, Calcattera is unlikely to see an uptick in volume, leaving him as an unreliable fantasy contributor.
-
Tucker Kraft TE | GB
Packers' Tucker Kraft: Notches two catches in Week 15
Kraft gathered in both targets for 34 yards during Sunday's 30-13 win at Seattle.
Kraft did most of his damage on a jump ball that he corralled for a 26-yard gain late in the second quarter, but he didn't see a target after that point, leaving him below 50 receiving yards for the fifth time in the past six games. During that span, he's mustered 15 catches for 179 yards on 21 targets, but he's salvaged two of those performances with TD catches. In an offense that has leaned toward the run most weeks since a Week 10 bye, Kraft must take full advantage of the handful of targets that he may receive, and he'll look to do just that Week 16 against the Saints on Monday Night Football.