NFL Player News

Okonkwo recorded two catches (on two targets) for 15 yards in Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Packers.

Okonkwo narrowly remained Tennessee's primary tight end by snap count. However, he was out-targeted, 5-2, by Josh Whyle and now has failed to top 16 receiving yards in any of his three games this season. Okonkwo isn't likely to entirely lose his role, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Whyle continue to be the more productive pass catcher moving forward.

Saubert had two receptions on as many targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Rams.

Saubert received a bump up the depth chart prior to Sunday's defeat after starter George Kittle (hamstring) was ruled out late in the practice week. The veteran backup performed well in the star's absence, but he didn't see his usage increase over last week's two-catch performance. There's a chance Kittle returns for the 49ers' upcoming tilt against the Patriots, so Saubert's time as the club's starting tight end may be short-lived.

Bellinger caught his only target for 17 yards against Cleveland in Sunday's 21-15 win.

Bellinger's lone target and reception went for 17 yards early in the third quarter. While he did log a season-high 26 offensive snaps, that number was well behind the 58 offensive snaps accumulated by No. 1 tight end Theo Johnson. Overall, Bellinger has just two catches (both of which he has caught for 20 total yards) through three weeks, making him a non-factor in fantasy.

Johnson caught one of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 21-15 victory versus the Browns.

Johnson had an opportunity for a bigger stat line, but QB Daniel Jones overthrew him after the tight end got open in the end zone late in the first half. Though Johnson's production in the win was minimal, he did continue to dominate TE reps for New York, logging 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps to Chris Manhertz's 38 percent and Daniel Bellinger's 36 percent. None among the tight-end group is particularly appealing in fantasy with Jones distributing the heavy majority of his passes this season to receivers Malik Nabers (37 targets) and Wan'Dale Robinson (24 targets). Johnson leads the tight-end corps with a meager seven targets through three games.

The Jaguars elevated Deguara to their active roster ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Bills.

The Cincinnati product's elevation ensures depth at tight end with Evan Engram (hamstring) missing Jacksonville's Week 3 contest. Deguara last saw in-game action with the Packers in 2023, when he caught eight passes for 65 yards while playing 403 total snaps (187 offensive and 216 on special teams) across 15 regular-season games.

Schoonmaker caught one of two targets for five yards in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.

With Jake Ferguson back in the lineup after missing last week's contest with a knee injury, Schoonmaker saw his usage predictably crater. The second-year tight end still has seven catches through three games, a vast improvement on the eight receptions he managed in 17 games as a rookie, but his role in the Dallas offense will remain minor as long as Ferguson stays healthy.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see," Monday when asked whether Njoku (ankle) will be available Week 4 against the Raiders, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Stefanski said the Browns will have a better idea of Njoku's status Wednesday, the same day the team's first official injury report of Week 4 will be released. The standout tight end has missed back-to-back games due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Browns' Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, and he hasn't yet managed to resume practicing. Jordan Akins, who caught four of seven targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Giants, has operated as Cleveland's top tight end with Njoku out of commission.

LaPorta was diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain Monday after suffering the injury in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Cardinals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

LaPorta was forced off the field twice during Sunday's win over Arizona -- once in the first half when he was carted to the locker room, and once in the third quarter -- but he managed to return to the field in both instances. It's encouraging that the second-year tight end at least has avoided a more severe injury, such as a high-ankle sprain, but through three games to start the 2024 regular season, LaPorta has combined for just eight catches for 94 yards on 10 targets without a touchdown. He'll look to both get healthy and bounce back in terms of production Week 4, when the Lions face the Seahawks in a Monday night game.

Parkinson secured three of five targets for 21 yards during Sunday's 27-24 victory against San Francisco.

For the first time in his tenure in Los Angeles, Parkinson was on the field for every snap on offense. Even with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) out, Parkinson saw his usual amount of attention from Matthew Stafford, albeit tying a team-high in targets with Tutu Atwell. Fellow tight end Hunter Long was on the field for 26 snaps on offense but didn't earn a target, and with Davis Allen (back) and Tyler Higbee (knee) on the mend, Parkinson will be busy again in a Week 4 showdown with Chicago.

Freiermuth secured four of five targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chargers.

Freiermuth has recorded four catches in each of his first three appearances this season, but he hasn't logged more than 40 receiving yards in any of those games. His 7.6 yards per target to begin the year is the best mark of his career, but his 8.3 yards per catch are tied for his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2021. While the Steelers' offense has largely struggled to begin the year, it's been encouraging to see Freiermuth carve out a consistent target share.