NFL Player News

Pruitt (knee) finished 2023 with nine receptions on 12 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown across 17 appearances.

Pruitt caught one or fewer passes in all but one game this season. He also secured just one touchdown after posting a career-high four scores in 2022. The veteran tight end, who's mostly known for his blocking prowess, was knocked out of the season finale due to a knee injury, and the extent of the issue remains unclear. The veteran is entering his age-32 season and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Smith finished the 2023 season with 50 receptions on 70 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances.

After recording a career-high eight touchdowns with the Titans in 2020, Smith landed a four-year deal from the Patriots. However, he struggled to replicate his production during two seasons in New England and was traded to Atlanta last offseason. Top tight end Kyle Pitts was healthy for the entire campaign, but Smith was still able to generate fantasy-relevant production on numerous occasions in 2023. Both tight ends will be in the final year of their respective contracts in 2024, and while Pitts has the higher upside, it's unclear how the Falcons' new regime will opt to utilize the duo.

Pitts finished the 2023 season with 53 receptions on 90 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances.

Pitts didn't turn in a Year 3 breakout, but he was at least consistent producer, securing multiple receptions in all but one game. Most importantly, Pitts played all 17 games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending MCL sprain in his right knee in Week 11 of the 2022 campaign. Many fantasy managers have abandoned hope of Pitts emerging as a top-tier tight end, but with a healthy offseason and a new coaching staff in place in 2024, the 2021 No. 4 overall pick may be primed to take a step forward during the final year of his rookie contract. However, Jonnu Smith, who flourished during his first campaign in Atlanta, remains under contract for 2024, so he could continue to siphon some targets and opportunities away from Pitts next season.

Higbee was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee following an MRI on Monday, ESPN.com reports.

Higbee suffered the devastating knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 24-23 wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Sunday, when he was on the receiving end of a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph. The 31-year-old tight end -- who finished the regular season with 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets over 15 games -- now will embark on an arduous rehab process that could extend into the start of the 2024 campaign. At the very least, Higbee won't be ready to participate in OTAs in the spring and could be hard-pressed to get cleared for the start of training camp in late July, given the 6-to-9-month recovery timeline typically associated with ACL surgeries.

Durham secured his only target for an 18-yard gain in the Buccaneers' 32-9 wild-card win over the Eagles on Monday night.

The reserve tight end made a habit of making good use of the few times the ball came his way during the regular season, and he continued that trend in his first career postseason contest. Durham now has six receptions for 76 yards on eight targets since his Week 6 pro debut, and the rookie fifth-round pick could potentially see at least a couple of opportunities during Sunday's road divisional-round matchup against the Lions.

Kittle (back) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle missed the 49ers' regular-season finale due to back spasms before San Francisco had a bye in the wild-card round, and the two weeks of recovery time were beneficial. The 30-year-old appears to be on track to take the field in Saturday's matchup with the Packers after tallying 1,020 receiving yards -- most in the league among tight ends -- and six touchdowns on 65 receptions across 16 regular-season games.

Andrews (ankle) was a limited practice participant Tuesday.

Andrews returned to practice Friday and seems to be getting a real chance to show the Ravens he's ready to play this Saturday against Houston. His availability for this weekend remains highly uncertain given that he hasn't played injuring his ankle Nov. 16 and requiring surgery, but the tight end at least seems on track to be ready for the conference championship game or Super Bowl if the Ravens make it that far. Isaiah Likely has filled in admirably since Andrews suffered the major injury, catching five touchdown passes in six games while averaging 3.5 catches for 53.7 yards on 4.7 targets. Even so, a healthy Andrews is much more of a threat than Likely to command targets and defensive attention.

Kolar finished the regular season with seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown on nine targets.

The second-year tight end started to see more playing time after Mark Andrews' leg injury kept him out from Week 11 onward. Kolar is more proficient as a blocker at this stage of his career than his counterpart, Isaiah Likely, who is starting to break out as a pass-catcher. Down the stretch, Kolar averaged 25 snaps per game and caught six of seven targets for 74 yards and a score on 41 routes. With Likely's emergence and Mark Andrews set to return next season (if not sooner), Kolar may be blocked from seeing significant playing time again in 2024. However, if Andrews remains out for the divisional round matchup against the Texans, Kolar could be in line for plenty of snaps.

Andrews (ankle) had a good practice Tuesday according to head coach John Harbaugh but remains uncertain for Saturday's matchup with Houston, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The Ravens designated Andrews to return from injured reserve last Friday, opening a 21-day window in which he can practice without being activated to the roster. He was then limited to individual drills during Friday's practice, with Hensley noting that the tight end moved around well in warmups. The Ravens will need to activate Andrews this coming Friday to have him available Saturday in the divisional round against the Texans, but even if he's active, he could be restricted to a limited role.

Goedert finished with four receptions (on six targets) for 21 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 32-9 playoff loss to the Buccaneers.

Goedert caught the only touchdown pass Jalen Hurts would throw against the Buccaneers in what turned out to be a dud of a game from the Eagles. The tight end generated some fantasy value for DFS players with his postseason score, putting a nice garnish on an otherwise bland fantasy regular-season campaign (59-592-3). Goedert will look to expand on his new career high of 59 receptions in the final year of his current contract with the Eagles in the upcoming 2024 season.