NFL Player News

Alie-Cox had one reception for 15 yards on his only target in Sunday's win at Houston.

Cox got his first reception after failing to catch one of two targets in Week 1. Kylen Granson led Colts tight ends in snaps with 37 (compared to 23 snaps for Alie-Cox and 11 for Will Mallory) and his routes run also comfortably outpaced Alie-Cox (10) and Mallory (seven) in that category. Alie-Cox remains mostly a blocking tight end in the offense who may get a rare red-zone target due to his height (6-foot-7).

Turner caught both of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 35-33 win over Denver.

Turner played only 14 percent of snaps Week 1 and didn't get much work before halftime Week 2, but he logged a 52 percent snap share in the second half after Logan Thomas entered concussion protocol. John Bates played 79 percent of snaps en route to 3-46-0 on five targets, but Turner should get most of the playing time in passing situations if Thomas isn't available Week 3 against Buffalo.

Bates caught three of five targets for a career-high 46 yards in Sunday's 35-33 win over the Broncos.

Bates and Cole Turner shared TE snaps after Logan Thomas left with a concussion late in the second quarter. Turner is known more as a pass catcher and Bates as a blocker, but it was the latter who surprisingly drew five targets on 18 routes and finished with a career high for receiving yards. Neither Bates nor Turner will make for a trustworthy fantasy option if Thomas misses Week 3 against the Bills.

Granson recorded three receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown on four targets in Sunday's 31-20 win at Houston.

Granson played despite popping up on the injury report Saturday with a hamstring injury. He led Colts tight ends in snaps with 37 and routes run with 26, outpacing Mo Alie-Cox (23 and 10) and Will Mallory (11 and seven). He still appears to be the Colts' top tight end in the passing game, but Indianapolis looks as though it'll continue to divide the targets among a deep position group.

Mallory had two receptions for 49 yards on two targets in Sunday's win at Houston.

Mallory was a healthy inactive Week 1, but the 2023 fifth-round draft pick got playing time with Andrew Ogletree (concussion/coach's decision) out. He played on 11 of the offense's 57 snaps compared to 37 snaps for Kylen Granson and 23 snaps for Mo Alie-Cox. Still, Mallory had a rapport with backup Gardner Minshew, and it's possible he could become the breakout receiver of a deep tight-end mix. However, it's more likely none of the Colts tight ends get enough work in the passing game to be viable in most fantasy formats.

Trautman failed to secure his only target in Sunday's 35-33 loss to the Commanders.

Trautman was a complete non-factor Sunday, failing to record a catch after securing all five of his targets Week 1. The veteran tight end appeared to be set for a significant role with teammate Greg Dulcich (hamstring) sidelined, but Trautman was not a big part of Denver's offensive attack against Washington. With Dulcich on IR for at least three more games, Trautman should continue to see the majority of snaps at tight end. Trautman's offensive snap percentage increased from 72 percent Week 1 to 82 percent Week 2. With this trend likely sustaining, Trautman will look to have a bounce-back performance when the Broncos visit the Dolphins in Week 3.

Parham caught one of his two targets for seven yards in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans.

Masked in what was a bad statistical outing for Parham was that the 6-foot-8 target played more snaps (34) than nominal starter Gerald Everett (28). When healthy, Parham has routinely been one of Justin Herbert's favorite big-play specialists, and in Week 1 the former XFL target drew a nifty red-zone touchdown to boot. Everett will likely never be completely fazed out of the offensive picture, especially with how often the Chargers run multiple tight ends on a given play, but Parham makes for an intriguing speculative pickup if he's eventually able to earn the lion's share of the tight end snaps moving forward.

Everett recorded three receptions (on three targets) for 47 yards in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans on Sunday.

One week after seeing backup Donald Parham make the most of his opportunities, Everett's control on the starting role returned to normalcy, showcasing his skills as pass catcher on a 29-yard reception that helped sustain a scoring drive for the Chargers in the third quarter. Those passing numbers gloss over the fact Parham played more snaps (34) than Everett (28), and that's not factoring in third-stringer Stone Smartt (22), who also saw plenty of opportunities. With the Chargers sitting at 0-2 to begin the season, it's possible the offense could make a few changes to the starting lineup to shake up things, but the multitude of two tight end sets run by Los Angeles would likely safeguard Everett from having too many complete duds.

Mayer caught his only target for two yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Bills.

Mayer's first NFL reception came on the final play of the first half Sunday, but he failed to earn another target throughout the remainder of the contest, while fellow tight end Austin Hooper caught two passes for 20 yards. The TE duo has yet to find the end zone through the Raiders' first two games, but red-zone looks could be available against the Steelers in Week 3 if Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers are unable to clear the league's concussion protocol.

Hooper caught two passes on as many targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Bills.

Hooper's only receptions came on back-to-back plays on the Raiders' opening drive of the second half, but fellow tight end Michael Mayer was held to just one catch for two yards on 16 offensive snaps throughout this contest. The duo figures to continue splitting duties against the Steelers in Week 3, but quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could look their way more often if Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers fail to clear the league's concussion protocol.