NFL Player News

Trautman is likely to serve as the Saints' starting tight end in Monday's game at Tampa Bay with Juwan Johnson (ankle) listed as out for the contest.

New Orleans could elevate one or both of J.P. Holtz or Lucas Krull from the practice squad before Monday, but at the moment, Trautman and Taysom Hill are the only healthy tight ends on the active roster. Considering that the jack-of-all-trades Hill has lined up as a receiver or in-line tight end on just 91 of his 195 snaps on offense this season, Trautman looks like the better bet to step into Johnson's role as the Saints' top pass-catching tight end. Trautman hasn't logged more than three targets in any game this season and would still represent little more than a dart throw at the position for fantasy managers who are lacking appealing alternatives.

Knox failed to haul in his only target during Thursday's win over the Patriots.

Knox has had a disappointing season, but this was the first time he's been shut out completely, and the single target also represents a season low. Knox hasn't seen the end zone since Week 8, as the potent offense continues to focus around other players. Knox is too good of a player to not have his moments before the season closes, but he's also becoming tough to rely upon, as the last two weeks have shown.

The Giants waived Hudson on Saturday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

In a corresponding move, Nick Vannett was signed to the active roster. Hudson was in the midst of a season during which he posted career highs in targets, receptions and receiving yards, but he'll now become an unrestricted free agent, assuming he isn't claimed by another team during the current waiver period.

The Giants signed Vannett to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus Washington, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

With starting tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye) listed as questionable for Week 13, the Giants saw fit to add Vannett to the 53-man roster to provide some depth at the position. He has two catches for 13 yards on two targets through three games in 2022.

Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out and will not play Monday against the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson never managed to practice this week, so it's not entirely surprising to see the touchdown threat sidelined. Expect Adam Trautman to see an increase in snaps while Taysom Hill will continue his usual multi-position production.

Horsted (concussion) will not play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

No surprise here, as Horsted was unable to practice all week. In his absence, Jacob Hollister will be the primary backup behind Foster Moreau at tight end.

Bryant is in line to serve as the Browns' No. 1 tight end Sunday at Houston with David Njoku (knee) ruled out for the contest, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku previously sat out Weeks 8 and 10 due to a sprained left ankle, which allowed Bryant to take on an elevated snap share in those two outings. Still, getting 72 and 76 percent of the offensive plays resulted in only three catches (on three targets) for 15 yards and a touchdown for Bryant during that span. As a result, he seemingly is a TD-dependent option, despite the upcoming increased workload.

Johnson (ankle) didn't practice Friday.

The tight end is in danger of missing Monday's game at Tampa Bay after back-to-back missed practices. He played only 45 percent of snaps and finished without a catch in last week's 13-0 loss to San Francisco, following six straight games with multiple receptions and at least 63 percent snap share (not to mention five TDs in the six-game stretch). Adam Trautman and Taysom Hill are the best bets to take on more snaps if Johnson can't play Monday night, though his absence might also free up more playing time for the team's depth wide receivers.

Woods (shoulder/quad) will be listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

Woods, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, was back on the field Friday, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic, but the tight end's status is unclear as Sunday night's 8:20 ET kickoff approaches. Woods is coming off a Week 12 effort in which he caught eight of his nine targets for 98 yards in Monday's 24-17 loss to the Steelers, but that season-high output coincided with fellow tight end Kylen Granson (who has practiced fully this week) being sidelined by an illness. Given Granson's looming availability and the timing of the Colts' kickoff, Woods currently profiles as a speculative fantasy lineup option in Week 13.

Bellinger (eye) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Commanders, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Bellinger isn't in the clear yet as he draws closer to the end of his recovery from the fractured left eye socket that he sustained back in Week 7. So far, he's missed four games as a result of the injury and subsequent surgery, but three capped practices in a row this week at least has given him a chance to return Sunday. If the Giants clear him ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Bellinger may be eased in due to the relatively steady play of fellow tight end Lawrence Cager over the last three outings.