NFL Player News

Kroft was not targeted across eight regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2023.

Kroft ended the 2023 campaign as a healthy scratch for Miami's final four games, including Saturday's wild-card playoff loss to the Chiefs. The veteran tight end had never previously finished a season without a catch. Now heading into his 10th NFL season off a forgettable one-year stint with the Dolphins, Kroft seems unlikely to draw interest as more than a depth option on the free agent market.

Hill secured six of nine targets for 48 yards across 15 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2023.

Hill, who linked with Miami as an undrafted free agent out of Campbell back in May, managed to earn an immediate rotational role on offense despite being forced to miss the first two games of the season due to an ankle injury. If Hill can further his development heading into Year 2, and if the Dolphins decline to add a big name to the tight end room, he could push for a more even split of reps with Durham Smythe.

Smythe secured three of four targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 26-7 wild-card loss to the Chiefs. Across 16 regular-season appearances, he racked up 35 catches for 366 yards on 43 targets without a touchdown.

Smythe put together a career-best season as a pass catcher while operating as Miami's top tight end for the first time, barely edging out his 34-357-0 line from 2021. Of course, Smythe's real usefulness to coach Mike McDaniel's scheme came as a blocker, which is how he was deployed for the majority of his 757 offensive snaps. He remains under contract with the Dolphins for two more seasons, though the team has a potential 'out' after the 2024 campaign.

Jordan caught his lone target for a 76-yard touchdown in Saturday's 45-14 wild-card win over the Browns.

Jordan turned a harmless pass in the flat into the game's longest play and what turned out to be the game-winning score. He's played second fiddle to Dalton Schultz all season, but Jordan is considered the better athlete and capable of breaking away from pursuit as he did on the TD. He played 50 percent of the snaps and provided a threat behind a wideout corps that dealt with injuries. Noah Brown (five snaps) was removed from the game with a shoulder injury, while Robert Woods (15 snaps) returned from a hip issue.

Higbee (knee) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm what is feared to be a torn ACL sustained during Sunday's 24-23 wild-card loss to the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Higbee suffered a nasty right leg injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss due to a low tackle from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph on the Rams' final drive of the night. If an MRI confirms a severe injury for the veteran tight end, Higbee's recovery timetable could significantly impact his availability for the start of the 2024 campaign, for which he remains under contract with Los Angeles. Across 15 regular-season appearances this season, Higbee remained a steady contributor despite occasionally lackluster QB play, compiling 47 catches for 495 yards and two scores on 70 targets.

LaPorta (knee) pulled in all three of his targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-23 win over the Rams.

The rookie tight end carried a questionable tag heading into Sunday's playoff tilt after suffering a hyperextended knee in the regular-season finale against the Vikings last week. LaPorta was able to suit up with the assistance of a knee brace and provide fantasy players with his second two-yard touchdown in as many weeks. The 22-year-old's first postseason score helped buoy Detroit to its first playoff win since before the tight end's birth (a 38-6 win over Dallas in 1992). LaPorta will now join his teammates as the Lions prepare to host the divisional round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994 next Sunday.

Higbee failed to catch his lone target in Sunday's 24-23 wild-card round loss to the Lions. He didn't return after getting injured in the fourth quarter, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Higbee stayed down after a Detroit defender dove at his legs. The team didn't have an immediate update on the tight end's injury, which occurred on the Rams' final drive, so it's unclear if Higbee would have returned had LA gotten another possession. The veteran tight end was also nursing a shoulder injury heading into Sunday's season-ending loss, but he'll now have plenty of time to recover before the 2024 season, for which Higbee remains under contract with the Rams.

Ferguson caught 10 of 12 targets for 93 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 48-32 wild-card loss to the Packers.

The second-year tight end was Dak Prescott's top option in the red zone, catching a one-yard score on the final play of the first half before adding two more TDs of seven and 14 yards in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys tried desperately to mount a comeback. Ferguson's huge playoff performance came on the heels of a breakout regular season in which he caught 71 of 102 targets for 761 yards and five touchdowns, finishing ninth among TEs in receptions and eighth in receiving yards. Assuming Prescott returns to Dallas in 2024, Ferguson figures to be one of his top targets once again.

Musgrave caught all three of his targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 48-32 wild-card round win over the Cowboys.

Musgrave capitalized on a blown coverage in the third quarter, as he had time to stop, turn back to the quarterback and wait for the ball to get to him before easily traversing the remaining distance to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown. Musgrave and Tucker Kraft had three targets apiece, so Green Bay will likely continue to utilize both of its rookie tight ends in the divisional round against the 49ers.

Higbee (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's wild-card contest at Detroit, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee put together three limited practices this week, which was enough for coach Sean McVay to tell reporters Friday that the tight end should be available to play Sunday, per Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site. Indeed, Higbee is back in action after dislocating his left shoulder during Week 17 action. He'll be taking on a Lions defense that has allowed the 10th-most yards per target (7.7) to opposing tight ends this season.