NFL Player News

Bellinger caught his only target for three yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

Bellinger was listed as New York's No. 1 tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart during the preseason and split first-team reps with rookie Theo Johnson throughout training camp, but he was clearly behind Johnson in the pecking order Sunday. While Bellinger logged just 16 offensive snaps (23 percent of the team's total), Johnson tallied 61 (86 percent), and even Chris Manhertz (20 offensive snaps) was on the field more often than Bellinger. Manhertz played primarily in two-TE sets and does most of his work as a blocker, so he's not a threat to Bellinger's playing time, but for the time being it appears that the Giants prefer Johnson as the starter over Bellinger at the position.

Johnson caught one of four targets for 18 yards against Minnesota in Sunday's Week 1 loss.

It was a rough game for New York's offense as a whole, and Johnson played a part in that, as he dropped two potential catches in the first half and was missed by QB Daniel Jones on another play despite getting open. The pair did connect on an 18-yard pass in the fourth quarter, and the positive news for Johnson's outlook moving forward is that he logged 61 offensive snaps (86 percent of the team's total). That seems to put him ahead of Daniel Bellinger (16 offensive snaps) and Chris Manhertz (20, primarily in two tight-end sets) in the pecking order at the position, though Johnson will likely need to do a better job of helping the offense in order to maintain that status.

Woerner caught one of two targets for four yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers.

Known for his blocking prowess, Woerner isn't expected to be involved in the passing game very often. In four seasons with San Francisco, Woerner caught 11 passes (15 targets) for 120 yards. Starting tight end Kyle Pitts played 54 offensive snaps in Week 1, securing all three of his targets for 26 yards and a TD, while Woerner saw only 23 snaps on offense.

Mundt had two receptions for 15 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Josh Oliver got the start at tight end and had 27 snaps on offense compared to 29 for Mundt. Oliver had similar production with two receptions for 27 yards on three targets. While neither tight end was a major factor in the passing attack, that could change if Jordan Addison misses time with an ankle injury.

Oliver started at tight end and had two receptions for 27 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Oliver had 27 snaps on offense compared to 29 for Johnny Mundt, who had three targets and two receptions for 15 yards. While neither tight end was a major factor in the passing attack, that could change if Jordan Addison misses time with an ankle injury. Still, Oliver is still mostly a blocking tight end who can catch an occasional touchdown.

Ogletree played just 10 snaps on offense and didn't see a target in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.

Ogletree's small role on offense isn't necessarily surprising, considering he's operating as the No. 3 man on the team's tight-end depth chart. He'll likely need an injury to Kylen Granson or Mo Alie-Cox to find himself as a larger part of the Colts' offense. However, he does remain a regular part of the team's special-teams unit.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku (ankle) is week-to-week, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Stefanski declined to confirm whether Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, per Petrak, which Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports is the fear for the Pro Bowl tight end. Jordan Akins is currently the only healthy tight end on Cleveland's active roster, though the team also has Cameron Latu and Blake Whiteheart on the practice squad. Being labeled week-to-week creates serious doubt about Njoku's availability for Sunday's road game in Jacksonville, but the tight end hasn't yet been officially ruled out from playing.

Ferguson hasn't been ruled out to play Sunday versus the Saints, despite being diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Ferguson's MCL sprain seems to be on the minor end if the Cowboys still consider him a candidate to suit up Week 2, though the team's top tight end appears more likely than not to miss time. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network labeled Ferguson week-to-week, and even the shorter recovery timeframes for MCL injuries usually require two weeks of rest. Fullback Hunter Luepke benefited from increased target volume Week 1 versus Cleveland after Ferguson left the field, but 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker also seems to be a candidate to start at tight end at home against the Saints on Sunday.

Matthews failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 47-10 loss to the Saints.

Matthews served as the Panthers' No. 2 tight end behind Ja'Tavion Sanders with Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (hamstring) out in Week 1, but Matthews failed to produce whatsoever. The 32-year-old was was unable to haul in his one target Sunday, playing 20 offensive snaps. Given Carolina's immense offensive struggles Sunday, it appears unlikely that Matthews will be fantasy-relevant in 2024.

Sanders caught his only target for four yards during Sunday's 47-10 loss to the Saints.

The rookie tight end out of Texas saw increased opportunities with Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (hamstring) both missing Sunday's contest. Sanders played 43 offensive snaps, 23 more than any other tight end for Carolina, but that workload didn't lead to much production, as Sanders struggled along with the rest of the Panthers' offense. He caught a four-yard pass in the first quarter, but wasn't targeted for the rest of Sunday's affair.