Stone Smartt Injury News & Updates

Smartt (quadriceps) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Smartt sat out Week 8 at Cincinnati with a quadriceps injury prior to the Jets' bye in Week 9, but he's now on track to suit up in Week 10 versus the Browns. Of his 46 snaps so far this season, 45 have come on special teams.

Smartt (quadriceps) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Top tight end Mason Taylor is also battling a quadriceps injury, though Taylor still has a chance to play Sunday since he's considered questionable. Jeremy Ruckert retains the second spot on the depth chart, while Jelani Woods could take on a larger role in Smartt's absence.

Smartt did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a quadriceps injury.

Smartt served exclusively on special teams during the Jets' Week 7 loss to the Panthers, and he appears to have picked up a quad injury in the process. He'll have two more opportunities to practice and avoid an injury tag ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Smartt caught his only target for a 24-yard touchdown in Saturday's 30-10 preseason win over the Packers.

Smartt's touchdown catch came in the third quarter, well after all of the Jets' starters had departed. He's behind Mason Taylor (ankle) and Jeremy Ruckert on the depth chart, but Smartt's intriguing pass catching ability could earn him a role on offense come the regular season, especially if Taylor misses time as a result of the rookie second-round pick's high-ankle sprain.

Smartt is signing a one-year contract with the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Smartt was the Chargers' top pass-catching TE for a few weeks last season while Will Dissly was injured, but they didn't consider him worthy of a restricted-free-agent tender for $3.26 million. While that isn't the best sign for his NFL future, nor for his odds of gaining fantasy relevance, Smartt at least did well to land with a team that has one of the weakest TE rooms in the league. Incumbent starter Tyler Conklin is an unrestricted free agent, leaving 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert atop the depth chart, backed only by young, undrafted players. The Jets figure to add more talent at the position if they don't re-sign Conklin, and Smartt's chances to earn a regular role in passing situations likely depends on whether the team gets an experienced starter / early draft pick or settles for another bargain-bin signing / late-round selection. Either way, the path to mainstream fantasy relevance is slim.

Smartt played in 15 regular-season games, making 16 on 19 targets for 208 yards.

Smartt's reception and yards total were career highs, despite playing 122 offensive snaps less in 2024 than he had in 2023. The Old Dominion product is set to enter free agency in March and could be a candidate to return to the squad in 2025, depending on how the Chargers rework their tight-end corps with only Will Dissly under contract for next season.

Smartt was not targeted during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.

Smartt played just 13 offensive snaps in Los Angeles' regular-season finale, a lesser total than both Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk. Across 15 regular-season appearances, Smartt logged 16 catches (19 targets) for 208 yards, with zero touchdowns. After the Chargers' playoff activity, which will begin on the road against Houston on Saturday in a wild-card round matchup, Smartt will be slated to become a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Smartt caught both of his targets for 23 yards in the 40-7 win over the Patriots on Saturday.

Will Dissly (35 snaps) and Tucker Fisk (32 snaps) both played more than Smartt, who had benefitted in recent weeks due to the absence of Dissly and Hayden Hurst (illness). With Dissly back, Smartt should fade back into the No. 2 tight end committee that is typically used as an additional blocker.

Smartt caught all three of his targets for 37 yards in the 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday.

Hayden Hurst returned off injured reserve after missing the past five weeks due to a hip injury, but the veteran only played eight snaps, hardly carving into Smartt's playing time. In addition, Will Dissly appears closer to returning after missing the past two games due to a shoulder injury, which would also relegate Smartt to at minimum No. 2 in the tight end rotation come Week 16. Given the compiling playing time factors, Smartt's run as a productive fantasy option could be coming to a close.

Smartt pulled in five of six targets for 50 receiving yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay.

Smartt continued to operate as the Chargers' top tight end sans veteran starter Will Dissly (shoulder). The third-year man fell just eight yards short of the team lead in receiving behind Ladd McConkey (5-58-1). Smartt did cough up the first fumble of his career in the lopsided loss, putting a damper on an otherwise fine fantasy showing. With Dissly expected to miss multiple weeks, Smartt could be a bargain at the tight end position in Week 16.

Smartt is set for a bump in playing time with Will Dissly (shoulder) likely out multiple weeks, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Hayden Hurst (hip) is technically eligible to return off injured reserve by Week 16, but given there's been zero updates regarding the health of the veteran, Smartt effectively has a clear shot at the No. 1 tight end role with Dissly expected to be out. Smartt played a season-high 22 snaps and parlayed that into three receptions for 54 yards, mostly in the absence of Dissly. The 26-year-old has mainly been a rotational piece in his three-year career, but the 2022 undrafted free agent hasn't had this sort of opportunity to emerge as a fantasy relevant piece.

Smartt (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bengals.

Smartt was sidelined for each of the Chargers' last two games due to an ankle injury likely sustained in Week 8's win over the Saints. However, he practiced in full Friday and is now in line to return to the field Sunday. Expect Smartt to serve as a depth piece in the Chargers' tight end room in Week 11, playing behind both Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly.

Smartt (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Smartt has been sidelined for the Chargers' last two regular-season games due to an ankle injury. He'll have two more chances this week to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against Cincinnati.

Smartt (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Smartt has been limited in practice all week due to an ankle injury, but he hasn't progressed enough to suit up Sunday. His next chance to play will be Week 11 against the Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 17. Tucker Fisk was elevated from the Chargers practice squad to the active roster Saturday, and he will serve as the No. 3 tight end behind Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.

Smartt (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans.

Smartt practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week after missing the Chargers' Week 9 win over the Browns due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old is expected to play behind both Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst if he can suit up in Week 10.

Smartt (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Smartt was unable to practice all of last week due to an ankle injury, which caused him to be sidelined for Week 9 against the Browns. He was able to return to practice Wednesday, and he'll have two more chances to increase his participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans.

Smartt (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Browns.

No surprise here, as Smartt was deemed doubtful for Sunday's contest. He was unable to practice throughout the week due to an ankle injury. In his absence, Hayden Hurst and Eric Tomlinson will be the backup options at tight end behind Will Dissly.

Smartt (ankle) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns.

Smartt was unable to practice all week after likely sustaining an ankle injury in the Chargers' Week 8 win over the Saints, so it's no surprise that he's not expected to play Sunday. If the Old Dominion product is unable to suit up, the Chargers' tight end room will likely consist of Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Eric Tomlinson.

Smartt (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Smartt failed to record a stat while playing 16 special-teams snaps in the Chargers' Week 8 win over the Saints, but it now appears he picked up an ankle injury in the process. The third-year tight end from Old Dominion will almost certainly need to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday to play in Sunday's matchup in Cleveland.

Smartt played seven of the Chargers' 66 snaps on offense and recorded one reception for 31 yards on two targets in Monday's 17-15 loss to the Cardinals.

After failing to draw a target while playing just nine snaps on offense through the Chargers' first four games of the season, Smartt now has a reception in two straight contests. He's seen a slight uptick in playing time while Hayden Hurst (groin) missed all of Monday's game and most of the Week 6 win over the Broncos due to injury, but Smart could see his snap counts take a hit once the Chargers' tight-end room is back to full strength.

Smartt caught two of his three targets for 14 yards in the 13-12 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Smartt played 294 offensive snaps in 2023 often filling in for Donald Parham as the team's No. 2 tight end when the big-bodied target was injured. The second-year undrafted free agent hasn't done much in the NFL to date, and it's possibly his roster spot could be in jeopardy next season as the Chargers undergo a complete transformation in the front office and as a coaching staff.

Smartt (shoulder) isn't among the Chargers' inactives for Sunday's matchup against Kansas City.

A shoulder issue kept Smartt to a pair of limited practice sessions to begin Week 18 prep, but his outlook improved with a full practice Friday. The second-year tight end entered Sunday deemed questionable to suit up, but he's ultimately been cleared to play. Smartt should thus fill his usual role as Gerald Everett's backup against the Chiefs.

Smartt (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Smartt was upgraded to full practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday, a sign he's got a decent chance to suit up versus Kansas City. Smartt has nine catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets this season.

Smartt (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The backup tight end has yet to play in more than 57 percent of the offensive snaps in any game this season. Smartt has nine catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

Smartt caught all three of his targets for 15 yards in Thursday's 63-21 loss to the Raiders.

With Parham (shoulder) out, Smartt saw a jump in playing time and benefitted to the tune of a career-high three receptions, but the massive blowout also played a factor in the extra workload. It's hard to imagine Smartt will be utilized frequently so long as Parham and Gerald Everett are both healthy.

Smartt (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Broncos, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Smartt will be the odd man out at tight end for the Chargers after appearing in all 12 games for the team this season. The team will opt to dress Nick Vannett and Stephen Anderson as their No. 3 and No. 4 tight ends behind Gerald Everett and Donald Parham, respectively.

Smartt failed to corral his lone target in Sunday's 20-10 defeat to the Ravens.

After coming off back-to-back weeks with 20 or more offensive snaps and three targets, Smartt didn't get much playing in Week 12 with no stats off of only eight offensive snaps. The undrafted free agent saw his best game of the year in Week 11 with a touchdown off his sole 51-yard reception but has yet to record multiple receptions in a contest. On the season, the 25-year-old has seen 198 total snaps less than Donald Parham and Gerald Everett who both have tallied over 300, and should continue to see a backseat role when the Chargers travel to New England in Week 13.

Smartt caught one of three targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers.

Smartt's trip to the end zone was his first score of the 2023 campaign. The 25-year-old tight end played behind Donald Parham with Gerald Everett (chest) ruled out for the contest. Smarrt saw three targets for the second straight week, so it's possible he'll continue to see increased involvement for the Chargers' offense that is need of playmakers. He'll have the opportunity to build off this performance when the Chargers host the Ravens in Week 12.

Smartt hauled in his lone target for a 24-yard gain in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans.

Smartt finished third among Chargers tight ends in offensive snaps in the Week 2 loss, with his 22 (34 percent share) placing him behind Donald Parham (31, 48 percent) and Gerald Everett (27, 42 percent). The latter two tight ends have been consistently more involved in the passing attack thus far, though Smartt recorded the longest reception of his young career on the Chargers' fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

Smartt hauled in his lone target for an eight-yard gain in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Dolphins.

Smartt has suited up in each of the Chargers' last four games, but the undrafted rookie out of Old Dominion logged just four snaps on offense Week 14. He's firmly behind Gerald Everett (56 snaps) and Tre' McKitty (40 snaps) in the pecking order at tight end.

Smartt caught two of his three yards in the 27-20 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.

Smartt was technically listed as one of the starting tight ends alongside Gerald Everett, but that clearly was a false flag as nominal No. 2 tight end, Tre' McKitty, wound up out-snapping the undrafted rookie. It's hard to imagine Smartt earning an extended role provided the others above him on the depth chart stay healthy.

Smartt caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.

The undrafted rookie actually wound up playing 19 snaps in his debut and was the only tight end to see a target, albeit a short dump off. Smartt's playing time will likely cease with the eventual return of Gerald Everett (groin).

Smartt (undisclosed) was activated off the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday.

The Chargers never announced why the undrafted rookie free agent missed the first 10 games of the season, but it's possible Smartt could see a number of offensive snaps in his debut with Gerald Everett (groin) questionable and Donald Parham (hamstring) on injured reserve. The 24-year-old actually played five games at wide receiver in his final year at Old Dominion and finished fourth on the team with 17 receptions for 167 yards.

The Chargers designated Smartt (undisclosed) to return from the reserve/non-football injury list Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Smartt began the campaign on the NFI list due to an undisclosed injury, but it appears he could return to action before too long. With the move, the Chargers open a 21-day window for the tight end to be added to the active roster, but if he isn't, he'll revert back to the NFI list for the remainder of the campaign.

The Chargers placed Smartt (undisclosed) on the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smartt began training camp on the active/NFI list, but he's since shifted to the reserve list. He'll be forced to miss a minimum of four games.

Smartt (undisclosed) was placed on the non-football injury list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

It's unclear what type of issue Smartt is dealing with, though it happened away from the team facility. He'll compete for a depth role among the team's tight ends assuming he can return healthy during training camp.

Smartt signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent Saturday.

Smartt started at quarterback for Old Dominion in 2019, but he was converted to a wide receiver and caught 17 balls for 177 yards in eight games last season. He also chipped in on special teams, returning five kicks for 120 yards. Due to his 6-foot-4, 232-pound frame, Smartt is expected to compete for a spot on the Chargers at tight end.