Ko Kieft - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Buccaneers hope to get injured players back soon as tough stretch awaits after a bye week

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame several injuries to key players and kept winning games in the first half of their season

OCTOBER 30 • Associated Press

49ers visit Buccaneers in a matchup of 4-1 teams and NFC division leaders

The injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a matchup of a pair of 4-1 teams leading their respective divisions in the NFC

OCTOBER 9 • Associated Press

Former teammates, now productive QBs Mayfield and Darnold to face off when Bucs visit Seahawks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in a matchup of quarterbacks who struggled with the teams that drafted them before reviving their careers

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Bucs look to rebound from 1st loss, head to Seattle to face Seahawks

After becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to have a game-winning score in the final minute of the first three games, the Buccaneers fell short of a comeback against Phila...

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Injuries are piling up at an alarming rate for the Buccaneers

Injuries are catching up to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SEPTEMBER 29 • Associated Press

Baker Mayfield and Vic Fangio have mutual respect heading into Buccaneers-Eagles matchup

Baker Mayfield’s remarkable turnaround in Tampa Bay is no surprise for Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Could miss rest of 2025 The Buccaneers placed Kieft on injured reserve Tuesday due to a leg injury, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Kieft likely suffered the injury during the Buccaneers' 29-27 win over the Jets on Sunday. His placement on IR means he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games, but the injury could sideline the 2022 sixth-rounder for the rest of the season, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Kieft's absence opens the door for Devin Culp to serve as the Bucs' TE3 behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Serves exclusively as blocker Kieft did not see any targets across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact After exceeding 200 snaps from scrimmage in his first two seasons, Kieft's participation on offense dipped to 102 snaps in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Additionally, after the 2022 sixth-round pick posted an 8-82-2 line 15 targets in his first pair of campaigns, Kieft was exclusively limited to blocking duties in 2024, and he'll head into the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 projected to serve in the same capacity now that Coen has been retained.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Seeing few snaps behind Otton Kieft went without a target while playing six of the Buccaneers' 82 snaps on offense in Monday's 41-31 loss to the Ravens.

Impact With Cade Otton dominating the snaps at tight end for the Buccaneers through the first seven weeks, Kieft nor the team's other depth options at the position have been able to carve out much playing time. Though Kieft has suited up in all seven of the Bucs' contests, the six snaps he played Monday represented a season high.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Thursday night Kieft (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Kieft was able to log a full practice Wednesday after estimating back-to-back limited sessions to open the Buccaneers' week of practice. The third-year pro is expected to serve as a depth piece in the team's tight end room while primarily playing on special teams during Tampa Bay's Week 5 divisional matchup.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited with ankle issue Kieft (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.

Impact Kieft was able to play through his ankle injury in the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles, tallying 22 total snaps (three offensive and 19 on special teams) without recording a stat. The third-year tight end is still expected to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Falcons unless his participation is downgraded either Tuesday or Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Kieft (ankle) is active Sunday against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Kieft started the week with back-to-back DNPs at practice but did get back on the field Friday, setting him up to take the field in Week 4. He should operate as the team's No. 3 tight end, behind starter Cade Otton and backup Payne Durham.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 4 Kieft (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Impact Kieft opened the week with back-to-back DNPs due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Broncos. The 2022 sixth-round pick has given himself a chance at playing Sunday after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. If Kieft cannot play in Week 4, then rookie seventh-round pick Devin Culp would serve as the Bucs' No. 3 tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Barely sees action Sunday Kieft did not see any targets in the Buccaneers' 37-20 win over the Commanders on Sunday.

Impact Kieft wasn't even deployed as a blocker as much as he typically was in former coordinator Dave Canales' offense, with all but two of his 18 total snaps Sunday coming on special teams. Even if he does end up seeing an uptick in playing time on offense in coming weeks, Kieft is expected to remain a distant third pass-catching option at tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs Gift Peter Schrager a Ko Kieft Jersey The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gifted NFL Network's Peter Schrager a tight end Ko Kieft jersey.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • BUCCANEERS.COM

If the end is in sight in Tampa Bay, do not expect Mike Evans to pout John Romano | The Bucs receiver is months away from free agency and his pride might be a little wounded, but Tampa Bay still can expect the...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Bucs' barefoot bunch: Why 3 Tampa Bay players take the field without shoes before games

Three Buccaneers players take part in an unconventional tradition before games: walking barefoot through the field. "We've just got to do it...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Bucs' barefoot bunch: Why 3 Tampa Bay players take the field without shoes before games

No catches in wild-card loss Kieft failed to bring in his only target during the Buccaneers' 31-14 wild-card loss to the Cowboys on Monday night. He finished the 2022 regular season with seven receptions (10 t...

Impact The rookie tight end was primarily utilized as a blocker and on special teams, where he logged 271 snaps. Kieft was efficient with his few opportunities as a receiver, and he could be set to move up to the No. 2 role next season if veterans Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph (knee) aren't brought back.

JANUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't bring in only target Kieft logged 22 snaps on offense in the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17 but failed to bring in his only target.

Impact The rookie once again served primarily in a blocking role, and despite the fact Cameron Brate was a healthy scratch, Kieft was an afterthought as a receiver. After a seven-game stretch between Weeks 7 and 14 when he caught one pass apiece in six contests, Kieft has only logged Sunday's lone target over the last three games.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records short reception in loss Kieft hauled in his lone target for an 11-yard gain in Sunday's 35-7 loss to the 49ers.

Impact For the third week in a row, Kieft drew a target in the passing game, but he remained a distant third in the pecking order at tight end behind fellow rookie Cade Otton and veteran Cameron Brate. Otton led the group with 44 snaps, while Brate and Kieft took the field for 28 and five snaps on offense, respectively.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Another catch in Week 13 win Kieft brought in one of two targets for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-16 win over the Saints on Monday night.

Impact Kieft was able to once again make an appearance on the stat sheet with Cameron Brate (illness) sidelined, recording a catch for the fifth time in the last six games. Despite the frequent cameo appearances in the air attack, the rookie sixth-round pick is the Buccaneers' clear block-first tight end even when a pass-catching option at the position like Brate is sidelined.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cashes in on one catch Kieft brought in his only target for a five-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday.

Impact The blocking tight end logged 16 snaps from scrimmage and came up with his first career touchdown midway through the third quarter. Kieft now has one catch in four of the last five games but remains a fantasy afterthought in all but the deepest of formats.

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No targets in Week 10 win Kieft did not log a target over 23 snaps during the Buccaneers' 21-16 win over the Seahawks in Week 10.

Impact The blocking-first tight end had recorded a reception apiece over the prior three games, but with Cameron Brate returning from a neck injury Sunday, his minuscule pass-catching role disappeared altogether. Kieft will have negligible fantasy value as long as Cade Otton and Brate are healthy in front of him.

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes one grab in win Kieft brought in one of two targets for six yards in the Buccaneers' 16-13 win over the Rams on Sunday.

Impact The rookie tight end continued to operate primarily in a blocking capacity while logging 16 snaps. Kieft made an appearance on the stat sheet in the form of one catch apiece over the last three games, and he could once again garner active status in the Week 10 contest versus the Seahawks in Munich, especially if Cameron Brate (neck) remains out.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drops injury designation Kieft (ankle) will play Thursday against the Ravens.

Impact Kieft was a limited participant in practice each of the last two days, but it appears he'll be good to go for Thursday against Baltimore. With Cameron Brate (neck) out, Kieft should operate as the team's No. 2 tight end, which could make him a worthwhile dart throw in single-game DFS contests. The rookie has two catches on two targets for 37 yards on the season.

OCTOBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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