NFL Player News

Smartt caught one of three targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers.

Smartt's trip to the end zone was his first score of the 2023 campaign. The 25-year-old tight end played behind Donald Parham with Gerald Everett (chest) ruled out for the contest. Smartt saw three targets for the second straight week, so it's possible he'll continue to see increased involvement for the Chargers' offense that is in need of playmakers. He'll have the opportunity to build off this performance when the Chargers host the Ravens in Week 12.

Swaim tallied two catches (on two targets) for 15 yards during Sunday's 21-16 defeat at Houston.

Swaim has started in two-TE sets along with second-year pro Trey McBride the last two games, and the former has managed a pair of receptions on both occasions. Additionally, with Zach Ertz (quadriceps) on IR since getting injured Week 7, Swaim's usage has ranged from 35 to 49 percent of the offensive snaps over the last four outings. McBride is the clear-cut top tight end for the Cardinals at the moment, but Swaim still has made marks, albeit minimal, in the box score in four of the last seven contests on his way to a 7-58-0 line on seven targets. Expect Swaim's role to continue for as long as Ertz is sidelined.

Washington signed with Baltimore's practice squad Tuesday.

Washington was let go from the Steelers' practice unit last week and it didn't take long for him to find a new home with the Ravens. The tight end will look will to earn a spot on the team's active roster and appear in his first game of 2023.

Musgrave (abdomen) was discharged from a Green Bay area hospital Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Musgrave seemingly emerged from Sunday's win over the Chargers unscathed, having posted four catches on six targets for 28 yards on a 63 percent snap share. However, coach Matt LaFleur revealed Tuesday that Musgrave reported an abdominal injury Monday and subsequently spent time in the hospital, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The issue was deemed "pretty significant" by LaFleur, and he didn't rule out an IR stint for the rookie tight end. With Musgrave's status in doubt for Thursday's game at Detroit and Josiah Deguara (hip) not practicing this week, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims figure to have larger roles in Week 12.

Smythe (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Miami's estimated injury report Tuesday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Smythe was forced to miss the Dolphins' Week 11 win over the Raiders while nursing an ankle injury, and his status to open the week seems to suggest that he is still bothered by the issue. The tight end's ability to practice Wednesday will give a clearer indication of his likely availability Friday versus the Jets. If Smythe is out again, Julian Hill and Tyler Kroft will again see increased workloads.

Deguara (hip) was a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate.

Deguara has now appeared as a non-participant on both of the Packers' first two Week 12 injury report while he recovers from the hip issue he , as he sustained in Sunday's win over the Chargers. With Luke Musgrave nursing a serious abdominal issue, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims would be the only healthy tight ends available Thursday against the Lions if Musgrave and Deguara are unable to suit up.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Musgrave is in a Green Bay area hospital due to a "pretty serious" abdominal injury, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Musgrave managed to play 63 percent of the offensive snaps this past Sunday versus the Chargers on his way to four catches on six targets for 28 yards. According to LaFleur, Musgrave didn't mention the abdominal issue until Monday, and the fact that he's hospitalized two days before a game is a strong sign the rookie tight end will miss the first contest of his career Thursday at Detroit. Assuming he is inactive for that game, Tucker Kraft could assume the vast majority of TE reps for Green Bay with Josiah Deguara (hip) also listed as a non-participant on the practice reports Monday and Tuesday.

Trautman secured both of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 21-20 win over the Vikings.

Trautman put together another unimpressive performance Sunday, although 33 receiving yards represented his second-highest total of the season. Despite playing in all 10 of the Broncos' games, the veteran tight end has amassed just 15 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown this season. Trautman is not a major part of Denver's offensive game plan and won't make for a trustworthy fantasy option in Week 12 against the stingy Browns defense.

LaPorta caught three of five targets for 18 yards during Sunday's 31-26 win over the Bears.

Despite facing soft pass defenses of late, LaPorta hasn't seen any work in the red zone since Detroit came out of a Week 9 bye with its two-headed monster (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) at running back fully healthy. The rookie tight end has also gotten less work in general, as LaPorta saw just five targets each of the past two weeks after averaging 7.4 per game in eight games before the bye. He will look to get back on track during a Thanksgiving Day game against a middling Packers defense that's allowing 48.2 receiving yards per game to tight ends.

Okonkwo recorded one reception (on two targets) for six yards in Sunday's 34-14 loss to the Jaguars.

Okonkwo saw his lowest target total and production since Week 1, continuing his disappointing 2023 campaign. Though he's tallied at least three catches in seven of 10 games, he's topped 30 receiving yards in a contest only twice.