NFL Player News

Schoonmaker may get an opportunity to start versus the Saints in Week 2 with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that Jake Ferguson (knee) is expected to miss time.

Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford each played 30 percent of the offensive snaps as backups to Ferguson in Week 1 versus Cleveland. However, neither tight end was targeted in the game while fullback Hunter Luepke saw two targets after Ferguson's exit, catching both for 18 yards. Considering the investment Dallas made by selecting Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he should be the favorite to fill in for Ferguson atop the depth chart, but he caught only eight passes in 2023. Ferguson is reportedly considered week-to-week due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, so he figures to be sidelined multiple contests. John Stephens (hamstring), who was inactive in Week 1, could also be in the tight end mix for Dallas once he gets healthy.

Dulcich caught two of his three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Seahawks.

Dulcich was unable to get much going against Seattle on a day where rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggled to push the ball down the field. Fantasy managers hoping the 24-year-old tight end could take a step forward this season should take some comfort in the fact that Dulcich led all Denver tight ends in offensive snaps, playing 46 of the team's 69 snaps ahead of both Adam Trautman (24) and Nate Adkins (14). Dulcich could get more involved in the passing attack in Week 2, when the Broncos host a formidable Steelers defense that still allowed a touchdown to Kyle Pitts in Week 1.

Ferguson (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ferguson at least has avoided a more severe knee injury, but an MCL sprain will still likely result in the starting tight end missing time. Packers QB Jordan Love also sustained an MCL sprain Week 1 and is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks, but at this point Ferguson's specific recovery timeline remains undisclosed. Rapoport adds that Ferguson also is dealing with a bone bruise and is considered week-to-week. Luke Schoonmaker could step into the starting role Week 2 versus the Saints, but it was fullback Hunter Luepke who saw increased target volume Sunday against the Browns after Ferguson left the game.

Hooper logged 36 of 65 snaps on offense in the Patriots' 16-10 season-opening win over the Bengals on Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

In the process, Hooper caught two of his four targets for 31 yards, while fellow TE Hunter Henry (54 snaps) caught two of his three targets for 18 yards. As long as Henry remains healthy, Hooper looks like a hit-or-miss fantasy option at best.

Wright caught his only target for two yards in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Rams.

Wright played 30 of the team's 61 offensive snaps, operating as the team's primary blocking tight end. His one catch came in the second quarter, and Sam LaPorta garnered all the other targets for Detroit tight ends. Wright's value is much higher to the Lions than it is to fantasy managers.

Pruitt secured one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over the Falcons.

Pruitt was on the field for 59 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, more than fellow reserve tight end Darnell Washington. Pruitt also had one more target than Washington, but both tight ends will likely have limited work in the passing game behind starter Pat Freiermuth this season. Pruitt secured nine of 12 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown while appearing in all 17 games with Atlanta last year, and he'll likely struggle to have a fantasy-relevant role once again in 2024.

Washington secured his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over the Falcons.

Although Washington was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, he didn't see much work in the passing game. Despite appearing in all 17 games during his rookie season in 2023, he didn't have more than one reception in any outing and could struggle to see many targets once again this year, especially if starting tight end Pat Freiermuth stays healthy.

Freiermuth secured all four of his targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over Atlanta.

Shortly after signing his four-year contract extension with the Steelers on Friday, Freiermuth was featured fairly prominently in the Steelers' Week 1 win, finishing second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. The 25-year-old was an inconsistent contributor during the 2023 campaign, posting single-digit yards in three of his first four appearances of the season. However, he could see more targets in 2024 now that Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin are no longer with the team, and tight-end friendly coordinator Arthur Smith is calling plays.

Schultz caught all three of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Colts in Week 1.

As expected, Schultz was the snap and target leader at tight end, ahead of Brevin Jordan. Even so, Schultz may be hard pressed to repeat the 88 targets he had in 2023. The target distribution Sunday heavily skewed toward Houston's wideouts, who were targeted 22 times compared to five for the tight ends.

Akins caught three of four targets for 27 yards and saw 43 snaps, the most among Cleveland tight ends, in Sunday's 33-17 loss to Dallas.

The Browns had just two tight ends on the game-day roster and were down to one when starter David Njoku (ankle) was taken off the field in the third quarter. He'll undergo tests Monday to determine the severity of his injury, but Akins figures to step into a significant role if Njoku misses any further time. The Browns currently have two other tight ends on the practice squad, but neither Cameron Latu nor Blake Whiteheart have significant NFL experience.