NFL Player News
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Hayden Rucci TE | DET
Lions' Hayden Rucci: Claimed by Detroit
Rucci was claimed off waivers by the Lions on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Rucci was cut loose by the Dolphins on Saturday, but he's quickly found a new home with the Lions. The 24-year-old will provide the team with some much-needed depth at tight end with Sam LaPorta (back) done for the regular season and Brock Wright (neck) potentially set for a prolonged absence. Rucci has failed to garner a target while playing 39 offensive snaps over four contests with Miami this year.
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Shane Zylstra TE | DET
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Limited practice Monday
Zylstra (knee) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
Zylstra had his 21-day practice window opened Monday after spending the last two months on injured reserve with what previously was labeled an ankle injury, but the Lions' first Week 14 practice report has him tagged with a knee injury. Irrespective of the issue, the tight end is likely a long shot to play in Thursday night's matchup with the Cowboys, but with Brock Wright (neck) potentially set to miss extended time, Zylstra will provide the team with some much-needed depth once activated from IR.
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Quintin Morris TE | JAC
Jaguars' Quintin Morris: Catches one pass
Morris caught one of two targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 25-3 win against the Titans.
The 26-year-old played just 12 offensive snaps, but it's notable he was active over Hunter Long, who was inactive despite returning as a full practice participant next week. Morris doesn't have any fantasy viability as a reserve tight end for Jacksonville, especially with Brenton Strange now back from his hip injury.
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Brock Wright TE | DET
Lions' Brock Wright: Remains DNP on Monday
Wright (neck) did not practice Monday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Wright missed last Thursday's loss to the Packers, and it sounds like he could miss an extended period of time due to a tracheal injury. With both Sam LaPorta (back) and Wright sidelined against Green Bay, Ross Dwelley played 75 percent of the snaps, while Anthony Firkser was in on 24 percent of the downs. Neither made an impact in the box score, combining for a 2-7-0 line on four targets.
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Terrance Ferguson TE | LAR
Rams' Terrance Ferguson: Third straight game without a catch
Ferguson failed to secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.
Colby Parkinson has taken on the role of top tight end for the Rams in the absence of Tyler Higbee (ankle), and he again led the position group in all statistical categories, while Ferguson and Davis Allen (one target) were held without a catch. Until Ferguson shows consistent usage and more reliable targeting from Matthew Stafford, the second-round rookie remains difficult to trust in fantasy lineups with a divisional showdown in Arizona up next on the docket in Week 14.
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Davis Allen TE | LAR
Rams' Davis Allen: One catch in reduced role
Allen secured his only target for four yards during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.
In the absence of Tyler Higbee (ankle), Colby Parkinson has been the main beneficiary, and on Sunday he once again led all Rams tight ends in snap count, targets, receptions and yards. Neither Allen nor Terrance Ferguson (two targets) were a factor on offense, and Parkinson looks to retain his role as the team's top tight end while Higbee is on injured reserve. The Cardinals are up next in a divisional showdown in Week 14, and Davis will continue to be touchdown-dependent to be a fantasy contributor.
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Elijah Arroyo TE | SEA
Seahawks' Elijah Arroyo: Two targets in win
Arroyo didn't haul in either of his two targets in Sunday's 26-0 win over the Vikings.
Arroyo continues to run behind second-year tight end AJ Barner, as the former recorded a 39 percent snap share in the blowout win. We've seen some flashes from the rookie tight end, but he won't be a dependable fantasy option moving forward barring an injury to Barner.
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Shane Zylstra TE | DET
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Practice window opens
Zylstra (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The Minnesota State product has missed the Lions' last 10 games after sustaining an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Bears. Detroit now has 21 days to add Zylstra to its active roster before he reverts to IR. Once fully healthy, Zylstra is expected to play a depth role in the Lions' tight-end corps.
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Pat Freiermuth TE | PIT
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Not targeted against Buffalo
Freiermuth wasn't targeted during Sunday's 26-7 loss to Buffalo.
Freiermuth played just 40 percent of the team's offensive snaps Sunday, which ranked third among the team's tight ends. Although he had recorded double-digit receiving yards in each of his last seven appearances, he was held without a target for just the second time this season in Sunday's Week 13 loss. Across 12 games this season, Freiermuth has secured 26 of 32 targets for 298 yards and four touchdowns.
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John Bates TE | WAS
Commanders' John Bates: Two catches vs. Denver
Bates caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday night's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos.
Even with Zach Ertz's monster performance (10-106-0), Bates was still involved in the Commanders' passing attack during Sunday night's loss. The Boise State product has appeared in 10 games this season, catching eight of 12 targets for 71 yards. He's likely to remain a minimal component of Washington's offensive game plan in the Week 14 matchup against the Vikings.