Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
After 11 seasons in the league, Smith decided to hang up his cleats Tuesday. The tight end finished his career with 73 catches for 523 yards and 11 touchdowns after spending time with the Bills, Raiders and Falcons while in the NFL.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Non-factor in season finale
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Smith played four offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.
Smith, who is known more for his blocking, wasn't a factor in Week 18, as the Falcons fell behind early and had to turn primarily to the passing attack. He finished the 2021 campaign with nine catches (11 targets) for 65 yards and one touchdown across 16 appearances. The 34-year-old tight end is set to be a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market the veteran will draw.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Full practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (back) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice.
The tight end missed the Falcons' Week 10 matchup against the Cowboys, but appears to be ready for Thursday night against the Patriots. He'll continue to operate as a reserve option behind Kyle Pitts, a role in which he has reeled in eight catches for 53 yards and a score this season.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Doubtful against Dallas
Rotowire
Smith (back) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Barring an unexpected improvement, the back injury Smith sustained last week against the Saints will keep him out of action in Week 10. Even when healthy, the reserve tight end doesn't have a prominent role in the Falcons offense, as Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst occupy the top two spots on the depth chart at the position.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Non-participant Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (back) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Smith missed Wednesday's practice after sustaining a back injury in Sunday's win. The 33-year-old will have two more days to improve his status in order to play against Dallas.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Catches all three targets
Rotowire
Smith caught all three of his targets for 30 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Jets.
The Falcons were without their top two wideouts Sunday, which allowed Smith extra opportunities in the passing game. The 33-year-old didn't disappoint and turned that opportunity into a season-high 30 receiving yards. Smith remains behind Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts on the depth chart, but he likely will continue to see minor production as long as Matt Ryan continues to utilize his tight ends and running backs at a rapid rate.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Catches three passes Sunday
Rotowire
Smith caught all three of his targets for seven yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 17-14 win over the Giants.
Smith out snapped Hayden Hurst 26-24 in Week 3. It's uncertain if this trend will continue moving forward, but it is clear that both are firmly entrenched behind Kyle Pitts on the depth chart. While the 33-year-old's touchdown was a pleasant surprise, his production Sunday doesn't warrant him consideration as a viable fantasy option.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Back on practice field
Rotowire
Smith (undisclosed) returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports.
Smith was back on the field working with fellow tight ends Friday. If the veteran manages to make Atlanta's roster, he'll likely find himself handling a reserve blocking role.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Headed to COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The team acquired Smith as depth for their tight end room in March. He's a 10-year veteran, though he could have a hard time making the team with Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst ahead of him on the depth chart.
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Falcons' Lee Smith: Heading to Atlanta
Rotowire
Smith was traded to Atlanta for late-round draft compensation Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Smith is a 10-year veteran, and he's spent six of them with Buffalo. He's been primarily a backup and blocking tight end, as he's reached double-digit receptions in a season only twice in his career. He's likely to fill a similar role in Atlanta behind Hayden Hurst and Luke Stocker.
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Bills' Lee Smith: Active versus Broncos
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is active for Saturday's game in Denver.
Smith was officially listed as questionable after having been limited in practice all week, but he'll be available against Denver. With Tyler Kroft (coach's decision) a healthy scratch again, Smith will be Buffalo's only available depth tight end behind Dawson Knox.
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Bills' Lee Smith: Misses lone target
Rotowire
Smith failed to catch his only target during Monday's 34-24 win over the 49ers.
The 33-year-old played a season-high 25 offensive snaps but was minimally involved in the passing game despite Josh Allen attempting 40 passes. Smith appears to have taken over duties as Buffalo's No. 2 tight end from Tyler Kroft, but it hasn't led to much production, as he's been a blocker his entire NFL career.
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Bills' Lee Smith: Comes off COVID-19 list
Rotowire
The Bills activated Smith (illness) off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Smith's return will provide Buffalo with some much-needed depth at tight end after he and position mates Dawson Knox (illness) and Tommy Sweeney (illness) were all placed on the COVID-19 list last Saturday. In the two appearances Smith logged this season, he mostly contributed on special teams.
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Bills' Lee Smith: Goes to COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, the Bills' official site reports.
It's important to note Smith has not necessarily tested positive for the virus, but because he's been deemed to have been in close contact with fellow tight end Dawson Knox -- who tested positive for COVID-19 -- Smith has been placed on the list due to league protocol. This also leaves the Bills in a bit of a pickle for Sunday's game against the Jets -- as it stands right now, Tyler Kroft is the only tight end set for action.
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Bills' Lee Smith: Healthy scratch Week 4
Rotowire
Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Smith caught a one-yard touchdown on his only offensive snap during last week's win over the Rams, but he won't play Week 4 with Dawson Knox (concussion) good to go. Tyler Kroft will operate as Buffalo's secondary tight end Sunday.
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Lee Smith: Cut by Raiders
Rotowire
Smith was released by the Raiders on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Though now over 31 years old, Smith was still considered one of the better blocking tight ends in the league and his release only clears about $2.6 million in cap space. Regardless of the motive for his dismissal, there's now more of an opportunity for Luke Willson, Darren Waller and fourth-round rookie Foster Moreau to see expanded roles in 2019. Meanwhile, Smith should have no problem landing a new contract in advance of training camp. The Patriots, Texans, Rams and Jaguars all seem like good fits.
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Raiders' Lee Smith: Shakes injury tag
Rotowire
Smith (back) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Bengals, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Smith was a limited participant in the final two practices this week but the issues won't affect his game status. The eighth-year pro works mainly in a run-blocking role as Jared Cook takes over as the pass catcher.
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Raiders' Lee Smith: Added to injury report
Rotowire
Smith was limited during Thursday's practice due to a back injury.
Smith was a new addition to the Raiders' injury report Thursday after practicing in full Wednesday, though his back issue doesn't appear to be too severe. If he's unable to go Sunday against the Bengals, however, Derek Carrier could see additional reps behind starting tight end Jared Cook.
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Raiders' Lee Smith: Logs season-high 44 snaps
Rotowire
Smith caught two of three targets for 16 yards in Monday's 19-10 loss to the Eagles.
Smith received a season-high 44 snaps in Week 16, despite No. 1 tight end Jared Cook (wrist) gaining clearance to play in the contest. Primarily as a blocker this season, Smith could see additional targets Week 17 against the Chargers if Cook were to suffer any sort of setback during practice this week. That being said, Smith's ceiling remains severely limited in a weak Raiders passing attack.
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Raiders' Lee Smith: Avoids injury designation
Rotowire
Smith (knee) was a full practice participant Friday and won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bills.
Smith started the week with a pair of limited practices, but his full participation Friday allowed him to avoid the questionable tag. The 29-year-old should retain his role as the Raiders' secondary tight end against the Bills.
