Adam Trautman News

Johnson logged less than two targets for just the second time in 16 games. The 6-foot-4 tight end saw a massive increase in usage during the 2022 campaign, allowing him to finish with his best season as a pro. The 26-year-old recorded 42 receptions (on 65 targets) for 508 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns. Johnson first emerged as a big-bodied red-zone target in 2021, but he became one of the Saints' top receivers due to the team's rash of injuries at wideout. The No. 1 tight end accumulated the team's second-most targets and receiving yards behind rookie wide receiver Chris Olave as well as the third-most receptions behind running back Alvin Kamara. Johnson will now enter the 2023 offseason as a restricted free agent.

Trautman logged his first reception and just his second target since the Week 13 loss to Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old tight end finished as one of five Saints players to haul in their lone target behind the team's clear-cut top receiving trio of Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave and fellow tight end Juwan Johnson. Trautman's primary role as a run-blocker has only been reinforced by Johnson's continued production in the passing game over the second half of the season. Barring injuries or a plan to rest starters with the playoffs now out of reach, expect the Saints to continue feeding the ball to receivers other than Trautman during next week's regular-season finale.

Trautman practiced in limited fashion throughout the week and will now suit up for Saturday's frigid interconference clash. Although weather conditions in Cleveland are expected to be extremely averse to the passing game, Trautman could still be the subject of a handful of extra targets while operating as the No. 2 tight end due to top receivers Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (IR-ankle) being unavailable.

Trautman was listed as a limited participant on practice reports issued Tuesday through Thursday, with his lack of full participation presumably standing in the way of him entering the weekend minus an injury designation. If he ends up active for the Week 16 contest, Trautman will be the Saints' No. 2 option at tight end behind Juwan Johnson, but there could be an uptick in targets headed in both players' direction while New Orleans is without two of its starting receivers in Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (ankle).

Limited for a second straight day, Trautman should be able to play after playing through the same injury last week and handling 65 percent of offensive snaps in a 21-18 win over the Falcons. He was targeted just once, which isn't unusual when fellow tight end Juwan Johnson is healthy.

Trautman dealt with the same injury last week and took a questionable tag into Sunday's game against the Falcons before gaining clearance ahead of kickoff. Though he took on a normal snap share (65 percent), Trautman drew just one target on the afternoon, while position mate Juwan Johnson (four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns on six targets) commanded more attention from quarterback Andy Dalton despite playing eight fewer snaps than Trautman. Assuming Trautman is able to play through the ankle issue again this weekend in Cleveland, expect him to once again see most of his work as a blocker while Johnson serves as the Saints' preferred pass-catching tight end.