JANUARY 11, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM
DARREN FELLS
Bucs Protect Kenjon Barner, Darren Fells for Wild Card Week The Buccaneers used all four of their allotted practice squad protection spots for the opening of the playoffs, giving that designation to R...
Back with practice squad Fells reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Impact Fells was on the field for eight snaps on offense and one snap on special teams in the Week 18 victory over Carolina. He appeared in two games during the regular season for Tampa Bay.
JANUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated to Bucs' active roster Fells was elevated from the Buccaneers' practice squad Saturday to play against the Panthers on Sunday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact The tight end last appeared in a game with the Buccaneers in Week 10, playing only a single offensive snap. Fells will remain a depth option in Week 18 behind the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate as the team takes on the Panthers to end the regular season.
JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Reverts to practice squad Fells reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Impact Fells joined Tampa Bay after being waived by the Lions on Nov. 8. The veteran played just one snap on offense against Washington. As long as Rob Gronkowski (back) is out, Fells will likely have an opportunity to see the active roster again.
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated to Tampa's roster Fells will be elevated from Tampa Bay's practice squad to play against Washington on Sunday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact Fells will provide depth behind Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard with Rob Gronkowski (back) having been ruled out. The 35-year-old veteran brings a wealth of experience at the tight end position.
NOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Darren Fells on Signing With Bucs, Playing for Bruce Arians ' Press Conference 211111PressFells.mp4
NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Buccaneers visit Washington in rematch of wild-card game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to where their playoff run to the Super Bowl started when they visit WashingtonNOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joins Tampa Bay's practice squad Fells was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Wednesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Fells cleared waivers and will join Tampa Bay's practice squad. However, Stroud reports that the 6-foot-7 tight end will likely be added to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's matchup with Washington. Rob Gronkowski's (back) status is uncertain, so if he isn't available, then Fells will likely play a depth role behind Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard during Week 10.
NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Detroit Lions' Darren Fells asks for release after getting benched vs. Philadelphia Eagles Tight end Darren Fells asked the Detroit Lions for his release Monday, and the team plans to grant his request by placing him on waivers.
NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • FREEP.COM
Report: Detroit Lions waive veteran tight end Darren Fells Fells, in his second stint with the Lions, had signed shortly after this year's draft, when free agent addition Josh Hill opted to retire. F...
NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • DETROITNEWS.COM
Not playing Sunday Fells (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Eagles.
Impact Fells has appeared in all seven games for the Lions this season, catching four passes for 43 yards. However, the 35-year-old will be sidelined Sunday, and Brock Wright will likely step into the backup tight end duties behind T.J. Hockenson.
OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No targets against Bears Fells wasn't targeted during Sunday's 24-14 loss to Chicago.
Impact This may not be the only game this season in which Fells is a complete afterthought in the passing game. The veteran will look to get back in the box score in Week 5 against Minnesota.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
THE DAILY DRIVE: How Detroit Lions TE Darren Fells went from playing basketball overseas to NFL mainstay End of the Nagy era? Here's why I'm picking Detroit Lions to beat Chicago Bears (Subscription Required)
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM
How Detroit Lions TE Darren Fells went from playing basketball overseas to NFL mainstay Detroit Lions' Darren Fells played professional basketball overseas for five seasons before trying his hand as an NFL tight end
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • FREEP.COM
Little impact as receiver Fells caught one of two targets for two yards during Sunday's 41-33 loss to San Francisco.
Impact Fells clearly was the blocking-oriented tight end between himself and T.J. Hockenson, who caught eight of 10 targets for 97 yards and one touchdown. With left tackle Taylor Decker (finger) set to miss at least the next two games, Fells' largest responsibilities surely will remain as a blocker over the next couple of weeks.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Re-signs with Lions Detroit re-signed Fells on Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Impact The Lions parted ways with Fells in the process of cutting down to the initial 53-man roster, but some subsequent IR transactions opened up room for the veteran tight end to return. Fells is currently Detroit's only backup behind T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), but the team will likely add more depth ahead of Sept. 12's opener against the 49ers.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Catches two passes Fells caught two passes for 20 yards in Friday's 27-17 preseason loss to the Colts.
Impact The 35-year-old Fells is mostly known for his blocking but also emerged as a red-zone threat in Houston the past couple seasons (11 TDs on only 55 catches). He's unlikely to maintain a similar ratio in the inexperienced Detroit offense, particularly while working as the No. 2 tight end behind third-year pro T.J. Hockenson. The Lions host the 49ers in Week 1.
AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tight ends, St. Brown shine in Lions' practice at Ford Field
TAUGUST 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Preparing for blocking role Fells expects to primarily serve as a blocking complement to T.J. Hockenson, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News reports. "He's more of an F tight end - faster, moving around, receiv...
Impact Fells was relatively productive for the Texans in 2020 with 312 receiving yards, four scores and career highs in yards per catch (14.9) and yards per target (11.1). However, he's now 35 and not catching passes from Deshaun Watson anymore, so last year's production is probably one of the best-case outcomes for Fells in 2021. The veteran's recent comments further support that notion, though it's possible that Fells could still be involved in the passing game to some degree given the Lions' lack of depth at both receiver and tight end.
JULY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Darren Fells finds familiar role in return to Lions as mentor to young tight end Fells is eager to help T.J. Hockenson not only elevate his production, but also his swagger.
JUNE 10, 2021 • DETROITNEWS.COM
Cut loose by Houston The Texans released Fells on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact It's reasonable enough that a rebuilding team would cut a soon-to-be 35-year-old, though the Texans aren't exactly loaded with talent at tight end. Jordan Akins, Pharaoh Brown, Kahale Warring and Ryan Izzo inhabit the Houston depth chart, while Fells will now become an unrestricted free agent. Fells averaged only 1.7 receptions for 20.4 yards in 32 games with the Texans, but he did score touchdowns on 11 of his 55 catches. The combination of competent blocking and red-zone utility should give Fells some real-life value as a backup option, though he's unlikely to achieve fantasy relevance.
MARCH 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Quiet in Week 17 Fells was not targeted in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Titans.
Impact This was the fourth time over the last 10 games that Fells was not targeted. A surprise leader among tight ends with seven touchdowns last season, Fells was not presented with as many opportunities in 2020; his 28 overall targets and four red-zone targets this season were lower than the 48 and 13 he had in 2019. Fells has one year left on a deal, but he has dropped behind Jordan Akins, who is under contract for 2021, in terms of playing time and targets.
JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Gets back in end zone Fells secured one of two targets for a 22-yard touchdown in the Texans' 37-31 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Impact The veteran tight end, who's shown a nose for the end zone in the past, was back in the scoring column Sunday for the first time since Week 6 courtesy of a 22-yard grab with 6:15 remaining. The score was the final one of the day for the Texans and gave Houston a relatively short-lived 31-27 lead. Despite hitting pay dirt Sunday, Fells remains fairly deep down the depth chart in Houston's pass-catching corps and is difficult to trust in a Week 17 matchup against the Titans to close out the season.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Bengals beat Texans 37-31 for first road win since 2018
Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score late, to give the Cincinnati Bengals their first road win in more than two years with a 37-31 victory over the Housto...DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Can't-Miss Play: Darren Fells goes Beast Mode at goal line for go-ahead TD Can't-Miss Play: Houston Texans tight end Darren Fells goes Beast Mode at goal line for go-ahead TD.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • NFL.COM
