NFL Player News

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.

Rader (hip) is not among Tennessee's inactives for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Jacksonville.

Rader was questionable coming into Sunday due to a hip injury, but his outlook was optimistic after he logged a full practice session Friday. The fourth-year tight end will indeed be able to suit up in Tennessee's final game of the 2023 campaign, though he's unlikely to make much of an impact on offense. Rader has drawn only one target, which he caught for a six-yard gain, through 13 contests this season.

Brown (ribs) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Brown, who practiced in a limited fashion this past week, approached the contest listed as questionable, but he'll be able to give it a go in the Patriots' season finale. With Hunter Henry (knee) sidelined Sunday, Mike Gesicki and Brown are slated to lead the team's Week 18 TE corps, but Brown hasn't caught more than two passes in any of the 16 games that he's suited up for this season, so he's only a fantasy option in the deepest of formats.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Smith's first season in Cincinnati has come to a close, and he was able to catch 18 of his 26 targets for 115 yards and one touchdown across 12 games. The Bengals are expected to roll with Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox as their three tight ends in Week 18.

Johnson (chest) is active for Sunday's game versus the Falcons.

Johnson spent some time on the sideline last Sunday in Tampa Bay due to a shoulder injury but was able to finish the contest. As the Saints kicked off Week 18 prep, he was listed as a non-participant due to a chest issue Wednesday, but he capped it with back-to-back limited sessions before entering the weekend as questionable. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday morning that Johnson was slated to suit up, which has been confirmed upon the team posting its list of inactives. Johnson will look to keep up his recent hot streak against an Atlanta defense that has given up the sixth-most catches (90) to opposing tight ends in 16 games this season.

Kmet (knee) is listed as questionable but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kmet should be formally cleared when Chicago releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Though Kmet looks poised to play through the knee injury for the second week in a row, it's unclear how much larger of a role he'll be able to handle Sunday after he was limited to just 13 snaps on offense in the Bears' 37-17 win over Atlanta in Week 17. The tight end at least appeared to be healthier in practice this week, as he turned in a limited practice Thursday before upgrading to full activity Friday.

Johnson (chest), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Johnson carries an injury designation into the regular-season finale after he sat out practice Wednesday before closing Week 18 prep with a pair of limited sessions. Though he sustained the chest injury in last week's 23-13 win over the Buccaneers, Johnson was able to return to the contest and finished with his best stat line of the season, as he hauled in eight of 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Assuming he's officially cleared ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Johnson could remain a prominent part of the passing attack with receiver Michael Thomas (knee) stuck on injured reserve and with wideout A.T. Perry (illness) and running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) both listed as questionable but uncertain to play.

Mallory hurt his hamstring in Saturday's contest against Houston and has been ruled out from returning.

It's unclear when Mallory suffered the injury, but he was ruled out during the second quarter. The rookie didn't catch his only target prior to his departure. The Colts will be down to Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox at tight end for the remainder of the matchup.