NFL Player News

Waller caught five of six targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 26-25 loss to the Rams.

Waller posted his highest yardage total since Week 7, as the veteran tight end finally seems to be fully recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out for five games. He has just one touchdown among his 47 catches for 507 yards on 68 targets as a member of the Giants, but Waller will look to finish his season on a high note in Week 18 against the Eagles.

Likely caught two passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns on three targets in Sunday's 56-19 win over the Dolphins.

Likely's three targets might look like low usage at a glance, but the Ravens had a big enough lead that they were rotating in backups in the fourth quarter, and if the game had been more closely contested the Ravens might have had more reason to go back to Likely. Two touchdowns on three targets will usually do the trick, though, and there's no doubt that Likely's two touchdowns -- especially his one-handed catch and run for 35 yards -- were both game-breaking plays for the Ravens. Likely's rare ball skills and slick running after the catch have made him a crucial part of the Ravens' breakout offense over the last two weeks. As long as Lamar Jackson is producing, Likely figures to be in a good spot going forward no matter the opponent.

Gesicki caught four of six targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Bills.

The catches and targets both led the Patriots, although the tight end wasn't able to do much with the volume. With Hunter Henry (wrist) sidelined the last two games, Gesicki has produced a modest 6-50-1 line on eight targets, so even if Henry misses New England's season finale in Week 18 against the Jets, Gesicki's fantasy value will be minimal.

Parham (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos.

This makes two straight weeks that Parham will sit out as a healthy scratch and his third straight game missed overall. Stone Smartt and Nick Vannett will back up Gerald Everett at tight end.

Vannett (back) is active Sunday against the Broncos.

Vannett has been nursing a back injury the last couple of weeks, but he'll continue to play through the injury again in Week 17. With Donald Parham (coach's decision) once again inactive, the Ohio State product should be the Chargers' No. 3 option at tight end.

Fotheringham (hamstring) is considered questionable to return to Sunday's game in Indianapolis.

The severity of Fotheringham's hamstring injury is unknown at this time. He had not recorded any stats prior to exiting the game. If he is unable to return, Austin Hooper would be the lone healthy tight endon the Raiders' roster.

Johnson (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson had been forced out of the contest with a shoulder issue, but the tight end will resume action and look to build off the 3/19/1 receiving line he had logged prior to his exit.

Johnson was forced out of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a shoulder injury, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Prior to his departure from the contest, Johnson caught all three of his targets for 19 yards and a TD. In his absence, Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham are available to handle the Saints' tight end reps.

Turner (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's tilt against the 49ers.

Turner played just four offensive snaps (seven percent) in Week 16, and it looks like the Commanders feel comfortable with their tight end depth this week. As a result, his only remaining chance to play again this season will come in Week 18 versus the Cowboys.

Gesicki is expected to serve as the Patriots' top tight end Sunday in Buffalo with Hunter Henry (knee) inactive for the contest, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

While Henry was sidelined for last Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Broncos, Gesicki played two-thirds of New England's snaps on offense and finished with two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown on two targets. Gesicki should remain the top tight end once again Week 17 while Pharaoh Brown serves as the No. 2 option, but neither profiles as a reliable fantasy option within the context of a weak New England passing attack.