NFL Player News

Freiermuth secured his lone target for two yards during the Steelers' 26-22 win over the Browns on Monday.

Freiermuth exited last week's regular-season opener with a chest injury but didn't appear to have significant limitations Monday while playing 76 percent of the team's offensive snaps. While the 2021 second-rounder managed to prop up his fantasy output by reaching the end zone in Week 1, he was unable to do the same against Cleveland in prime time. Freiermuth has had a slow start to the season, securing two of five targets for five yards and that touchdown, but he'll have a more favorable matchup against Las Vegas on Sunday.

Bryant did not catch either of two targets in Monday's 26-22 loss to Pittsburgh.

Bryant was involved in the Browns' ominous first play of the game. Quarterback Deshaun Watson's throw was catchable, if slightly off target, but Bryant couldn't secure the ball and it deflected into the hands of Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith, who returned it for a touchdown. Bryant (27 snaps) once again had more run than Jordan Akins (nine) and is firmly established as the backup tight end to starter David Njoku, although Monday's performance could begin to change that. Bryant's been targeted twice in each of the first two games.

Akins caught his lone target for two yards in Monday's 26-22 loss to the Steelers.

Thus far, Akins has not been a high-volume target for Deshaun Watson, his former quarterback when the pair were in Houston. The tight end's snap count dropped from 23 in Week 1 to nine in Week 2. He's been targeted once in each of the first two games, catching both for 14 total yards. A rosy offseason scenario which speculated Akins would rekindle the chemistry he had with Watson and vault Harrison Bryant (26 snaps Monday) to become the No. 2 tight end behind David Njoku has not materialized.

Njoku secured all four targets for 48 yards in the Browns' 26-22 loss to the Steelers on Monday night. He also lost a fumble.

Njoku finished second in receptions and receiving yards to Amari Cooper on the night, coming on in the second half after a slow start. Njoku's numbers were modest overall, but they still represented exactly double the production the veteran tight end generated in Week 1. He could take on an even more important role beginning with a favorable Week 3 home matchup against the Titans now that star running back Nick Chubb is confirmed to be out for the season with a knee injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Okonkwo recorded four receptions on four targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Chargers.

Okonkwo was targeted only twice and failed to record a catch Week 1, though he bounced back for a decent performance against the Chargers. His primary contribution came early in the third quarter when he caught a short pass over the middle of the field before dragging defenders for a gain of 20 yards. Okonkwo will likely see inconsistent volume when the entire Tennessee receiving corps is healthy, but he continues to prove capable of making big plays when given a chance.

Higbee secured three of seven targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 30-23 loss to the 49ers.

Despite the generous amount of targets the veteran received, Higbee was unable to do much with them, with his largest gain going for just six yards. It was encouraging, however, to see the Rams' stalwart tight end still have seven targets with Puka Nacua (20 targets), Tutu Atwell (nine targets) and Kyren Williams (10 targets) all earning massive chunks of Matthew Stafford's attention as well. Higbee will look to be more productive Week 3 against a Bengals defense that just allowed Mark Andrews to accumulate 45 yards and a touchdown during their Week 2 matchup.

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.