NFL Player News
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Austin Hooper TE | NE
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Two catches Sunday
Hooper caught two of his four targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Ravens.
Hooper was on the field for 23 of a possible 74 snaps on offense in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow TE Hunter Henry was out there for 60 en route to catching six of his seven targets for 35 yards and a TD. As this coming Sunday's game against the Jets approaches, Hooper profiles as a fantasy dart while working behind Henry in a New England offense that tends to spread the ball around.
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Julian Hill TE | MIA
Dolphins' Julian Hill: Not targeted in Week 16
Hill was not targeted during Miami's 45-21 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Hill played 47 percent of offensive snaps versus Cincinnati, but it was again both Darren Waller and Greg Dulcich who dominated receiving opportunities at the tight end position for the Dolphins. Expect Hill to continue primarily contributing as a blocker when the Dolphins face off at home against the Buccaneers in Week 17.
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Pat Freiermuth TE | PIT
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Tallies four catches in win
Freiermuth secured all four of his targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 29-24 win over Detroit.
Freiermuth recorded 45 receiving yards -- his second-highest total of the season -- during last week's win over the Dolphins, and while he wasn't quite as productive in Week 16, his four receptions against the Lions marked his second-highest tally of the year. While Freiermuth has been slightly more productive than usual over the past two weeks, his fantasy production remains limited as he continues to share work with Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith.
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Jonnu Smith TE | PIT
Steelers' Jonnu Smith: Efficient as rusher
Smith failed to secure his lone target while gaining 28 rushing yards on two carries during Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions.
Smith scored a rushing touchdown during last week's win over the Dolphins, before recording a pair of fourth-quarter carries in Week 16. He began the Steelers' final drive of the game with a 20-yard run before rushing for eight yards two plays later. Despite Smith's recent increase in work out of the backfield, his fantasy upside remains limited as Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell remain entrenched as the team's top running backs, while Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth see more consistent target volume at tight end.
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Gunnar Helm TE | TEN
Titans' Gunnar Helm: Minimal production against KC
Helm recorded two receptions on three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 26-9 win over Kansas City.
Helm had started to gain momentum as a favorite target of Cam Ward, but that stalled Sunday. He had only three targets, good for fifth on the team, while fellow tight end Chig Okonkwo commanded eight targets and scored a TD. Positively, Helm was on the field for a season-high 71 percent of the offensive snaps, which could translate to additional opportunities to close out the regular season.
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Greg Dulcich TE | MIA
Dolphins' Greg Dulcich: Surpasses 40 yards again
Dulcich secured all three of his targets for 46 yards during Miami's 45-21 loss to the Bengals on Sunday. He also lost one fumble.
Dulcich finished second in receiving on the team behind Jaylen Waddle (5-72-0 on nine targets), narrowly outpacing top TE Darren Waller (3-40-0 on five targets). Dulcich accounted for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers' longest completion of the day, a 29-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter. He's now surpassed 40 receiving yards in three consecutive games, and he'll have two more opportunities to impress as the Dolphins close out the year against the Buccaneers in Week 17 and the Patriots in Week 18.
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Adam Trautman TE | DEN
Broncos' Adam Trautman: Two grabs in loss
Trautman caught two of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Jaguars.
Trautman played 58 percent of snaps Sunday, continuing to handle the highest offensive snap share among Broncos' tight ends. The veteran was unable to turn his opportunities into much significant production, as he continues to take a back seat to teammate Evan Engram as a pass catcher. Trautman's blocking acumen keep him on the field, but he remains far off the fantasy radar going forward. Next up for the Broncos is a Week 17 matchup against the Chiefs.
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Cade Stover TE | HOU
Texans' Cade Stover: Two grabs in win
Stover caught two of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 23-21 win over the Raiders in Week 16.
Stover continued a support role at tight end behind starter Dalton Schultz. Since returning from a foot injury six games ago, Stover has seven catches (10 targets) for 45 yards. He's been given opportunities as a runner in short-yardage, red-zone situations the last three weeks, but that opportunity never presented itself Sunday.
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Mark Andrews TE | BAL
Ravens' Mark Andrews: Another two catches
Andrews recorded two receptions on three targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Patriots. He added one rush for three yards.
Andrews made a long 18-yard catch late in the first quarter, but he largely disappeared from the game thereafter. He's now been held to two or fewer catches and 25 or fewer yards in four of his last five games. Andrews isn't likely to see a significant improvement in production in a tough Week 17 matchup against Green Bay, particularly if Lamar Jackson (back) remains sidelined.
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Evan Engram TE | DEN
Broncos' Evan Engram: Two catches aganst Jags
Engram recorded two receptions on four targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Jaguars.
Engram remained relatively uninvolved in the Broncos' offense, finishing fifth on the team in targets. He did manage a long catch of 33 yards, which ultimately helped set up a touchdown. Engram has two or fewer catches in three consecutive games and has combined to record only 56 yards in that span.