NFL Player News

Whiteheart (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Seahawks.

Whiteheart will once again be a healthy scratch, which has been a common case since signing with the active roster Oct. 24. His rookie campaign will end with two games played but no counting stats.

Smartt (shoulder) isn't among the Chargers' inactives for Sunday's matchup against Kansas City.

A shoulder issue kept Smartt to a pair of limited practice sessions to begin Week 18 prep, but his outlook improved with a full practice Friday. The second-year tight end entered Sunday deemed questionable to suit up, but he's ultimately been cleared to play. Smartt should thus fill his usual role as Gerald Everett's backup against the Chiefs.

LaPorta (knee) was been downgraded to out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Vikings.

LaPorta sustained a knee injury while being tackled in the second quarter and had to be carted to the locker room shortly before the end of the first half. While the nature of this injury is still unclear, it appears the standout rookie could be dealing with a significant issue. This could jeopardize his status for Detroit's first-round matchup in the playoffs, which will come either Saturday, Jan. 13 or Sunday, Jan. 14 depending on how the final seeding for the NFC playoff field plays out. With LaPorta sidelined and Brock Wright (hip) already inactive, the Lions will be left with James Mitchell as the team's only healthy tight end for the remainder of Sunday's game.

Tremble (back) has returned to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Tremble exited with a back injury just before halftime, but he re-took the field with the rest of Carolina's offense to open the second half. The 23-year-old will look to build upon his two receptions for 11 yards from the first two quarters of the game.

Kelce (coach's decision) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers.

Kelce was limited in all three of Kansas City's practices this week but approached the contest without an injury designation. However, with the Chiefs locked into the No. 3 seed in the the AFC playoffs, the star tight end will end up being rested Sunday along with other key starters such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In his absence, Noah Gray and Blake Bell are slated to serve as the team's tight ends. Kelce will finish the 2023 campaign with 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns over 15 games, spelling an end to his streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

LaPorta was carted to the locker room with a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Vikings, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Near the end of the first half, LaPorta appeared to hyperextend his knee while making a five-yard catch. He remained on the turf for a spell before making his way to the sideline with a visible limp. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but if he's unable to return, LaPorta will finish Week 18 with five catches (on seven targets) for 29 yards and one touchdown.

Tremble injured his back during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Prior to his exit just before halftime, Tremble had two catches (on two targets) for 11 yards. He thus extended his streak with at least one reception to 11 games, but his cumulative line during that span is just 22-177-3 on 31 targets.

Schultz caught five of seven targets for 42 yards in Saturday's 23-19 win over Indianapolis in Week 18.

Schultz had the second-most targets behind Nico Collins (nine) on a day when the Texans operated without three injured wideouts. The tight end has been important all season and could continue as a prominent target in the postseason. However, Schultz will have more competition for quarterback C.J. Stroud's attention if Noah Brown (back) and/or Robert Woods (hip) are available next week.

Bryant was spotted warming up as Cleveland's starting tight end ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Though top tight end David Njoku is active for the contest, he and several other Browns starters are expected to be rested for all or most of the Week 18 contest while Cleveland is already locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Given that Njoku wasn't warming up with the first-team offense, he looks like he's being viewed as more of an emergency option Sunday while Bryant and Jordan Akins play nearly all the snaps at tight end. Through 16 games this season, Bryant has recorded 13 catches for 81 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets.

Kieft (shoulder) is active Sunday against the Panthers.

Kieft missed the Buccaneers' Week 17 matchup with the injury, but he'll return to action in the team's regular-season finale, as they attempt to wrap up an NFC South championship.