NFL Player News

Head coach Robert Saleh said Ruckert (concussion) won't be available for Thursday's game versus Cleveland, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Ruckert departed with a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday's win over Washington and wasn't able to return. With the Jets facing a quick turnaround for Week 17, Ruckert won't have sufficient time to clear the five-step protocol before Thursday's contest. Kenny Yeboah will likely work as Tyler Conklin's primary backup until Ruckert is ready to return.

Oliver recorded a 33-yard reception in the Vikings' 30-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

The backup tight end saw two targets and played on 19 offensive snaps. Starter T.J. Hockenson left the game early in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return, but depth tight end Johnny Mundt also saw 22 offensive snaps and three targets. Hockenson is undergoing an MRI on Monday, and if he has to miss time, it could mean a greater share of snaps for both Oliver and Mundt.

Hockenson is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday after sustaining a right knee injury in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Lions, but the Vikings are bracing for the tight end to miss some time, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Hockenson's initial outlook is said to be "not good" after he took a helmet to his knee during the Vikings' opening drive of the third quarter Sunday. Even if no structural damage is detected, Hockenson still could be dealing with a ligament issue that might threaten his availability for the final two games of the regular season, as well as any potential postseason run. Through 15 appearances on the campaign, Hockenson has turned in a 95-960-5 line on 127 targets, with the reception and yardage totals both representing career-best marks.

Smythe secured all five of his targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 22-20 win over the Cowboys.

Smythe set new season-high marks in both yards and targets, while also playing his highest share of offensive snaps (84 percent) since Miami's Week 10 bye. The tight end still hasn't scored a TD this season, but Smythe is at least seeing more volume heading into a tough Week 17 matchup against the Ravens. He's drawn 12 targets in his last three appearances, posting an 11-104-0 line.

Brown, who logged 27 of 58 snaps on offense in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Broncos, caught both of his targets for 25 yards.

With Hunter Henry (knee) inactive, Brown and Mike Gesicki (38 snaps, two catches for 15 yards and a TD) handled the majority of New England's TE reps. Through 15 games, Brown has recorded an 11-203-1 line on 11 targets, and he has yet to record more than two catches this season. His fantasy utility remains limited as a Week 17 game against the Bills approaches.

Gesicki, who was on the field for 38 of 58 snaps on offense in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Broncos, caught both of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown.

With Hunter Henry (knee) sidelined Sunday, Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown (27 snaps, two catches for 25 yards) handled the bulk of the Patriots' TE reps. Gesicki's TD salvaged what would have otherwise been a quiet fantasy effort, and looking ahead to a Week 17 game against the Bills, he profiles as a risky lineup option even if Henry remains out.

Okonkwo recorded six catches on six targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks.

Okonkwo had his best game of the season from both a reception and yardage perspective, though he has topped 60 yards twice in his last four contests. Sunday's performance was highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown catch -- his first of the year -- as well as long gains of 17 and 14 yards. Okonkwo has lacked explosiveness this season, though his involvement has been consistent as he has at least six targets in three of his last four contests.

Ferguson totaled four catches (on eight targets) for 45 yards during Sunday's 22-20 defeat in Miami.

Since the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, Ferguson has recorded at least four receptions in seven of the last nine games, a stretch in which he put together a 40-469-4 line on 61 targets. That equates to a respectable 11.7 YPC and 7.7 YPT, but he fell short of both marks Sunday. Ferguson will have a chance to bounce back this coming Saturday against a Lions defense that has conceded the 11th-most receiving yards (790) and fifth-most touchdowns (six) to opposing tight ends in 15 contests on the campaign.

McBride gathered in six of eight targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-16 defeat at Chicago.

McBride has been on a tear since quarterback Kyler Murray's season debut back in Week 10, racking up a 38-425-1 line on 45 targets over the previous five contests. That said, McBride failed to reach 40 receiving yards in a game for just the third time in the last nine outings. He'll aim to bounce back Sunday, Dec. 31 against an Eagles defense that has allowed the eighth-highest catch rate (75.3 percent) to opposing tight ends this season.

LaPorta caught three of three targets for 18 yards during Sunday's 30-24 win over Minnesota.

After hanging 56 yards and three touchdowns on the Broncos last week, LaPorta came crashing back down to earth this time around. The main issue for his production was Detroit's success on the ground when it entered the red zone, as three of the Lions' four trips to that area ended in rushing touchdowns. The only sore that came through the air went to the steady Amon-Ra St. Brown, who picked apart the Vikings secondary all afternoon. LaPorta will look to get back on track in a challenging Week 17 showdown in Dallas.