NFL Player News
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Austin Hooper TE | ATL
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Four catches Sunday
Hooper, who was on the field for 23 of a possible 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Jaguars, caught four of his five targets in the contest for 32 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Meanwhile, fellow TE Hunter Henry (52 snaps) caught eight of his nine targets for a team-high 92 yards. Despite his uptick in usage Sunday, Hooper is not a high-percentage fantasy lineup option while working in a timeshare that favors Henry.
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Brenton Strange TE | JAC
Jaguars' Brenton Strange: No targets in win
Strange did not draw any targets in Sunday's 32-16 win against the Patriots.
The Jaguars were able to leverage a very run-heavy attack offensively in Week 7, so Strange's snap count (27) actually lagged behind that of blocking specialist Luke Farrell (30). As long as Evan Engram is healthy, Strange won't be anything more than a fantasy dart throw.
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Tucker Kraft TE | GB
Packers' Tucker Kraft: Tallies fourth touchdown
Kraft was targeted four times and caught three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-22 victory over the Texans.
Kraft was slowed by a groin injury last week, but he occupied his usual spot in the starting lineup Sunday and found the end zone for the fourth time in four weeks. Kraft will have a chance to keep his momentum going, as he and the Packers will next face a Jaguars defense that has been as friendly to tight ends as anyone over the last five weeks, allowing big games to Hunter Henry (8-92-0) and Cole Kmet (5-70-2) as well as TDs to Mo Alie-Cox and Dalton Kincaid.
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Darnell Washington TE | PIT
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Logs four catches in victory
Washington secured all four of his targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.
Washington found plenty of success under new starting quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday, tallying career-high marks in receptions and receiving yards. While Washington had an encouraging performance Sunday and could establish more value if he can maintain a connection with Wilson, the second-year tight end has secured 10 of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown over his first seven appearances of the season, so he hasn't been a very reliable fantasy option.
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Tyler Conklin TE | DET
Jets' Tyler Conklin: Ends nearly two-year TD drought
Conklin (hip) caught all four of his targets for seven yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the Steelers.
Conklin saw an 86 percent snap share, suggesting that his hip injury isn't slowing him down too much. He made up for a modest yardage total by scoring a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter, marking Conklin's first trip to the end zone since a two-touchdown performance against the Patriots in Week 8 of the 2022 season. He'll try to make history repeat itself when the Jets face the Patriots in Week 8 of the 2024 campaign.
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Mike Gesicki TE | CIN
Bengals' Mike Gesicki: Plays just 16 snaps
Gesicki played only 16 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Browns, catching one pass for two yards. He also recovered a late onside kick attempt by the Browns.
This was the fewest number of snaps for Gesicki, and his smallest snap share (16 percent) of the year. This was in part due to the Bengals' run-heavy game script, as they barely attempted to throw the ball after they got off to a 21-6 lead, but also due to the ascension of rookie Erick All up the depth chart. Presumably both tight ends will see a more favorable game script in Week 8 against the Eagles.
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Erick All TE | CIN
Bengals' Erick All: Held catchless Sunday
All didn't have a catch in Sunday's win over the Browns, getting targeted once on 28 snaps.
Playing time wasn't a problem for All, but game flow was. The Bengals played with a lead from the opening kickoff, and once they got out to a 21-6 lead, they barely attempted to throw the ball. All has played more snaps than Mike Gesicki in four straight games, and the rookie tight end appears to be tightening his grip on the top job for Cincy.
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Cade Stover TE | HOU
Texans' Cade Stover: One catch in loss
Stover caught his lone target for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to Green Bay.
The passing attack struggled in this game, as quarterback C.J. Stroud was held to 86 yards while completing just 10 of 21 throws. However, Stover still saw his usual one target for the week. The rookie tight end has five catches on six targets for 66 yards through seven contests. Stover is firmly behind Dalton Schultz on the depth chart but has become more prominent, averaging 26 snaps over five weeks since Brevin Jordan suffered a season-ending knee injury.
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Pat Freiermuth TE | PIT
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Gains 51 yards in SNF win
Freiermuth brought in two of three targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.
Freiermuth finished second in receiving for the Steelers behind star wideout George Pickens (5-111-1). The 25-year-old Freiermuth did most of his damage on a 44-yard reception from new starting quarterback Russell Wilson in the lopsided victory. The starting tight end had topped 50 yards in receiving just once during interim starter Justin Fields' six starts this season. The change at quarterback in Pittsburgh could spark an upward trend in Freiermuth's fantasy value heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Giants.
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Zach Ertz TE | WAS
Commanders' Zach Ertz: First TD of season
Ertz recorded four receptions on five targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers.
Ertz finished third on the team in targets and served as a reliable short-area target for Marcus Mariota. His longest catch of the game went for 15 yards early in the third quarter, though his biggest moment came on a 12-yard touchdown catch just before halftime to set off the blowout victory. Ertz isn't likely to post spectacular stat lines moving forward, but he does have at least four targets in all but one game this season.