NFL Player News

Kittle had five receptions (on seven targets) for 78 yards while receiving his first carry of the season for two yards in Monday's 22-17 loss to Minnesota.

Kittle tried to help fill the offensive void left by Deebo Samuel's (shoulder) absence by impersonating the dual-threat superstar but instead wound up gaining just two yards on his first carry of the season. It was an otherwise strong performance from the 30-year-old after he recorded just one catch for one yard in last week's loss to Cleveland. With Samuel expected to miss multiple games at a minimum, Kittle figures to see more action as a receiver in the interim, starting with Sunday's matchup against Cincinnati.

Hockenson brought in 11 of 12 targets for 86 yards in the Vikings' 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night.

Despite the fact he exited the game in the second half for a time due to a foot injury, Hockenson still finished with a game- and season-high number of receptions, receiving yards and targets. The fifth-year tight end has unsurprisingly seen his involvement rise during the two-game (and counting) absence of Justin Jefferson (hamstring, IR), and Hockenson could be in for another very busy day against the Packers in a Week 8 NFC North road battle.

Hockenson (foot) has returned to Monday's game against the 49ers, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hockenson had his right foot rolled up on and subsequently limped to the medical tent. However, his return to the game indicates the issue is not serious. Look for him to continue his usual role at tight end assuming he avoids any setbacks.

Hockenson limped off the field towards the medical tent in Monday's matchup with the 49ers after suffering an apparent foot injury, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Hockenson appeared to have his right foot rolled up on while run blocking. There is no word yet regarding his status for the remainder of the game. The 26-year-old tallied eight receptions for 80 yards before leaving the game.

Otton brought in five of six targets for 43 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-13 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

The second-year pro produced a season-high yardage total. Otton's catch total was also his second best of the campaign, and although he remains a complementary, short-area option for Baker Mayfield (knee), the clear-cut top pass-catching option at tight end for the Bucs does have decent utility in deeper full-PPR formats.

Fisk reverted to the Falcons' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Fisk played two offensive snaps and seven on special teams in Sunday's Week 7 win over the Bucs.

Morris (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Monday's walk-through, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Morris was inactive for Sunday's game against New England, and it's unclear if he'll be able to return to action for Thursday night's game against the Buccaneers. Morris' status for the contest gains added import with Dawson Knox slated to undergo wrist surgery. For now, the Bills' top healthy tight end is Dalton Kincaid, with Joel Wilson a candidate to be elevated from the team's practice squad ahead of Week 8 action.

Kincaid could be in store for more snaps after Bills head coach Sean McDermott noted Monday that fellow tight end Dawson Knox, is slated to undergo surgery on his wrist, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear how long the surgery will keep Knox sidelined, but the news would seemingly make Kincaid the team's clear-cut tight end in the passing game for at least a game or two, if not longer. Kincaid is coming off a career-best 8-75-0 receiving line in Sunday's loss to New England, so the arrow is definitely pointing up for the only tight end selected in the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Coach Sean McDermott noted Monday that Knox is slated to undergo surgery on his wrist, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Per the report, the looming procedure will address an issue that Knox has been dealing with since the Bills' Week 5 loss to the Jaguars. At this stage, there's no timetable for the tight end's return to action, but it seems safe to assume that he's in line to miss Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, at a minimum. While Knox is sidelined, fellow TE Dalton Kincaid should see an uptick in opportunities in Buffalo's passing offense.

Higbee secured one of three targets for seven yards during Sunday' 24-17 loss to the Steelers.

For the third straight game, the veteran tight end saw three targets from Matthew Stafford but produced a season-low one catch and seven yards from them. Higbee was actually third on the team in targets behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise dreadful outing. Through seven contests, Higbee has posted a 21-241-0 line and is on pace to finish the season with 51 catches, which would be his lowest total since 2020. He'll try to turn things around Week 8 against a Cowboys defense that was torched by George Kittle for three touchdowns Week 5.