NFL Player News

Smith caught four of six targets for 32 yards during Sunday's 29-10 win over the Colts.

Smith saw at least six targets for the seventh time this season. However, it was just the third time he's reached that mark over Atlanta's last 10 games. Smith should be on radars in PPR standard leagues, but he's likely a touchdown-dependent option for the remainder of the season.

Yeboah didn't catch his lone target in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Commanders.

Yeboah took on a larger role after Jeremy Ruckert exited due to a concussion. Coach Robert Saleh has already ruled Ruckert out for Thursday's game in Cleveland, so Yeboah should continue to function as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Conklin.

Okwuegbunam (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's matchup against the Giants.

Okwuegbunam is a healthy scratch for a third straight week, a stretch that began with the return of Dallas Goedert from injured reserve. Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra will be the backups behind Goedert again.

Cager (groin) is inactive for Monday's matchup against the Eagles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Cager didn't practice Thursday or Friday but was given a questionable designation. The severity of the groin injury remains unclear, but the backup tight end will miss his first game since Week 8. Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger are the only healthy tight ends on the Giants' active roster for Week 16.

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.