Los Angeles started the season with Kolar as the primary tight end on early downs, David Njoku as the primary tight end on third downs and the two sharing the field in 12 personnel. Both suffered injuries in Week 2, allowing Oronde Gadsden to take over as the lead tight end. Kolar was limited in practice all week but was ready to play, while Njoku remains on injured reserve for at least one more week. Kolar largely returned to his Week 1 role, although he played a little more frequently on third downs. Gadsden largely took on Njoku's role, similar to what he's done over the last two weeks. The Chargers had so many injuries at wide receiver that they used 12 personnel more often than not. They also ran three plays out of 13 personnel. Hayden Rucci was the clear third tight end on the depth chart, but he ended up scoring a touchdown. Considering how many third-down snaps in 11 personnel Kolar took from Gadsden, it seems Gadsden hasn't improved his standing with the coaching staff over the last few weeks. He didn't record a catch in this game, and it wouldn't be surprising if his role decreases significantly once Njoku returns.
The Ravens lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency, leading them to draft Hibner and Cuevas and add Durham Smythe in free agency. During the first two weeks, Andrews played 71.4% of snaps, playing all of the third-down snaps, two-thirds of the 12 personnel snaps and over half of the 11 personnel snaps on early downs. Smythe was the backup, seeing 83.7% of 12 personnel snaps and a significant amount of 11 personnel on early downs. The Ravens ran 24 plays out of 13 personnel over the first two weeks, with Hibner taking all 24 of those snaps. Hibner and Cuevas received one snap each in 11 personnel over the first two weeks. The Ravens had a notable shift last week. In 11 personnel on early downs, Hibner took eight snaps compared to seven by Mark Andrews and three each by Smythe and Cuevas. Andrews remained the clear tight end for third downs, but Cuevas was also rotated in more often in 12 and 13 personnel. This week, the rookies became even more involved. Cuevas and Hibner combined for three of the seven snaps on third downs, which was a notable change compared to the first three weeks. Hibner’s playing time in 12 personnel jumped from 41.8% over the first three weeks to 84.2% this week, taking time away from both Andrews and Smythe. In all situations, Cuevas' playing time took minor leaps compared to his averages from the first three weeks, leading to a career-high 27.0% snap rate. This probably isn’t enough to make either rookie fantasy-valuable yet, but it could be enough to ruin Andrews' fantasy value. His route participation rate remained steady this week, but if the rookies continue to trend in the right direction, then Andrews' playing time may dip below 50% sometime in the next month. Andrews scored a touchdown in this game, making him a potential sell-high option.
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