NFL Player News
-
Jake Ferguson TE | DAL
Cowboys' Jake Ferguson: Three catches in return
Ferguson brought in three of six targets for 32 yards in the Cowboys' 27-20 loss to the Bengals on Monday night.
Making his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion, Ferguson finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Cowboys on the night. Cooper Rush only threw for 183 yards overall, so Ferguson's production was serviceable if unspectacular in that context. The promising tight end draws a favorable matchup in a Week 15 road clash with the Panthers.
-
Stone Smartt TE | LAC
Chargers' Stone Smartt: Set for significant playing bump
Smartt is set for a bump in playing time with Will Dissly (shoulder) likely out multiple weeks, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Hayden Hurst (hip) is technically eligible to return from injured reserve by Week 16, but given there's been zero updates regarding Hurst's health, Smartt effectively has a clear shot at the No. 1 tight end role with Dissly expected to be out. Smartt played a season-high 22 snaps Sunday at Kansas City and parlayed that into three receptions for 54 yards, mostly in the absence of Dissly. The 26-year-old has mainly been a rotational piece in his three-year career, but the 2022 undrafted free agent hasn't had this sort of opportunity to emerge as a fantasy relevant piece.
-
Will Dissly TE | LAC
Chargers' Will Dissly: Likely out multiple weeks
Dissly is expected to miss "a couple of weeks" due to the shoulder injury he suffered Sunday against Kansas City, but he's not likely to be placed on injured reserve, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Dissly was hurt on the final play -- a 15-yard catch -- of the first half on Sunday Night Football, and he was unable to return to the contest. Subsequent evaluation has revealed an injury that is likely to sideline the tight end multiple weeks, but given Schultz's report that Dissly isn't expected to land on IR, there's a good chance he'll be able to return to action before the end of the regular season. While Dissly is out of action, Stone Smartt is in line to move into a starting role, while Tucker Fisk should see increased work as well.
-
Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | TEN
Titans' Chigoziem Okonkwo: Eight yards on three catches
Okonkwo recorded three catches (on four targets) for eight yards in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Jaguars.
Okonkwo remained Tennessee's primary tight end, as he was on the field for 73 percent of offensive snaps while finishing tied for second on the team with four targets. He caught a 10-yard pass early in the second quarter but otherwise didn't make much of an impact on the game. Okonkwo now has 20 or fewer receiving yards in nine of 13 games on the campaign.
-
Josh Whyle TE | TEN
Titans' Josh Whyle: Makes most of five snaps
Whyle recorded two receptions on two targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Jaguars.
Whyle has seen snap rate fluctuate in recent weeks, but he was on the field for a season-low five offensive snaps Sunday. Despite that, he recorded multiple receptions and his highest yardage total since Week 8. Whyle could grow into a larger role in future seasons, but for now, he remains a depth option at tight end for the Titans.
-
Tyler Higbee TE | LAR
Rams' Tyler Higbee: Listed as full Monday
Higbee (knee) was listed as a full participant on Monday's practice estimate, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Higbee now has received such a listing on five consecutive Rams injury reports stretching back to Week 13 prep as he seeks his first game action since suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee back on Jan. 14. Coach Sean McVay touched on Higbee on Monday, telling Stu Jackson of the team's official site, "We'll see," regarding whether or not the tight end will make his season debut Thursday at San Francisco. "I don't have a great sense of it," McVay added. "That was always something we left open as a possibility, but certainly don't want to rush it." Higbee has more than a week remaining in his 21-day window in which to be evaluated for a potential activation from the reserve/PUP list, so a decision may not be imminent.
-
Thomas Odukoya TE | TEN
Thomas Odukoya: Returns to practice squad
Odukoya reverted to the Titans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Odukoya was active for Sunday's 10-6 loss to Jacksonville, failing to record any stats while playing eight snaps on special teams. The tight end can be elevated to the active roster two more times this season before he'd have to officially be added to the active roster.
-
Baylor Cupp TE | KC
Baylor Cupp: Goes back to practice squad
The Chiefs reverted Cupp to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Cupp got his first taste of NFL action Sunday night against the Chargers and logged six offensive snaps along with four snaps on special teams. He had one ball thrown his way, but he wasn't able to corral it. With Peyton Hendershot (calf) on IR, Cupp could get more elevations before the season is up, but he probably isn't going to get much in the way of targets with Travis Kelce and Noah Gray leading KC's tight-end corps.
-
Zach Davidson TE | BUF
Zach Davidson: Back to practice squad
Davidson reverted to the Bills' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Davidson was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's 44-42 loss to the Rams, failing to log any stats while playing 16 offensive snaps and 16 snaps on special teams. The tight end will now have to be officially signed to the Bills' roster in order to appear in another game this season.