Zach Gentry

Pittsburgh Steelers
Tight End #83
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tight End #83

Zach Gentry News

Tallies 23 receiving yards

Gentry secured his lone target for 23 yards during the Steelers' 28-14 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry had a consistent snap share for most of the 2022 season, but he racked up double-digit receiving yards on just three occasions. Over his 17 appearances, he secured 19 of 23 targets for 132 yards. The 26-year-old is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it's possible he seeks out a team in which he's able to carve out a larger role.

Jan 9, 2023 12:01 PM EST


Outpaces Freiermuth in snaps

Gentry secured his lone target for four yards during the Steelers' 24-16 win over Carolina on Sunday.

Analysis: Although Gentry had minimal fantasy production during Sunday's victory, he was on the field for 62 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, which outpaced fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth, who played 56 percent of the snaps. Gentry has had fairly consistent playing time this year but hasn't been very involved in the passing game, as he's secured just nine of 12 targets for 23 yards over the last nine games.

Dec 19, 2022 8:01 AM EST



No catches in Week 14

Gentry failed to secure his lone target during the Steelers' 16-14 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry was on the field for a season-high 74 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps last week, but he played just 45 percent of the snaps against Baltimore, which is more in line with his usual marks. The 26-year-old has been mainly used in a blocking capacity this year, and he doesn't have much fantasy relevance.

Dec 12, 2022 10:09 AM EST


Limited production in passing game

Gentry secured his lone target for eight yards during the Steelers' 19-16 win over Atlanta on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry was on the field for 74 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps during Sunday's matchup, outpacing fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth, who played 55 percent of the offensive snaps. However, Gentry was much less involved than Freiermuth in the passing game, as Freiermuth led the team with 76 receiving yards on three receptions. While Gentry's increased playing time in Week 13 was encouraging, he's been used mainly as a blocking tight end this year and has logged double-digit receiving yards just twice.

Dec 5, 2022 2:02 PM EST


Loses yardage in loss

Gentry caught his lone target for a minus-4 yards in Monday's 24-17 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Gentry played 36 of the Steelers' 69 offensive snaps in the win, with his 52 percent snap share representing his best mark since Week 6. He remains ahead of rookie Connor Heyward as Pittsburgh's No. 2 tight end, but he's unlikely to draw more than a couple targets in most games while Pat Freiermuth is healthy and available.

Nov 30, 2022 10:01 AM EST



Minimal usage in loss

Gentry secured both of his targets for zero yards during the Steelers' 16-10 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry served as the Steelers' top tight end last week but had limited results against the Buccaneers, and his production remained low in Week 7 with Pat Freiermuth back on the field. Gentry has been held under 10 yards in four of his last five appearances and doesn't have much fantasy value, especially when Freiermuth is healthy.

Oct 24, 2022 9:59 AM EST


Limited results against Tampa Bay

Gentry secured his lone target for four yards during Sunday's 20-18 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Gentry saw an uptick in snaps Sunday with Pat Freiermuth (concussion) sidelined. However, Gentry drew just one target late in the second quarter, which helped set up a 55-yard field goal by the Steelers. The 26-year-old has tallied at least 40 yards in two of the first six games of the season but is an unreliable fantasy option, particularly when Freiermuth is healthy.

Oct 17, 2022 9:34 AM EST


Should get expanded role Week 6

Gentry is expected to serve as the Steelers' starting tight end in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with Pat Freiermuth (concussion) having been ruled out for the Week 6 contest, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: With Freiermuth having yet to clear the NFL's five-step protocol for head injuries after suffering his third concussion in two seasons in last week's loss to the Bills, Gentry is the next man up at tight end. Even with Freiermuth playing roughly half of the game last week, Gentry still saw the field for 64 percent of the Steelers' offensive plays and parlayed the added playing time into a 5-43-0 receiving line on six targets. The Steelers' large deficit throughout the second half likely played a part in the team running a pass-heavy game script, but Sunday's matchup with the Buccaneers should continue to open up opportunities in the passing game for Gentry and Connor Heyward, who is expected to serve as the No. 2 option at tight end. The 6-foot-8 Gentry should provide rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett with a big target in the short and intermediate areas of the field as well as the red zone.

Oct 14, 2022 1:26 PM EST


Ready to go for Week 6

Gentry (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: After sitting out Wednesday's practice due to the knee issue, Gentry cleared up any lingering concern about his health by taking every rep Thursday. Meanwhile, top tight end Pat Freiermuth was a limited participant for the second day in a row while he remains in the NFL's five-step protocol for head injuries after suffering the third diagnosed concussion of his two-year career in last Sunday's loss to the Bills. If Freiermuth can't clear the protocol in advance of this Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Gentry and No. 3 tight end Connor Heyward would likely take on elevated roles for Pittsburgh. Gentry saw plenty of usage Week 5 despite Freiermuth playing about half the game, as the 26-year-old finished the blowout loss to Buffalo with five receptions for 43 yards on six targets while taking the field for 64 percent of the snaps on offense.

Oct 13, 2022 1:12 PM EST


Doesn't practice Wednesday

Gentry (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Gentry saw an increased role during the team's Week 5 loss to the Patriots after Pat Freiermuth (concussion) left the game, but he appears to have picked up an injury as well, leaving Connor Heyward, a rookie sixth-round pick, as the only tight end to practice Wednesday. The extent of Gentry's knee injury remains unclear, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Week 6.

Oct 12, 2022 1:33 PM EST


Nursing knee injury

Gentry is dealing with a knee injury Tuesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The Steelers don't practice until Wednesday, so it remains to be seen whether Gentry's injury will impact his participation level. Top tight end Pat Freiermuth is still in the concussion protocol.

Oct 11, 2022 9:38 AM EST


Tallies 43 yards against Bills

Gentry secured five of six targets for 43 yards during the Steelers' 38-3 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry saw an uptick in playing time after Pat Freiermuth (concussion) exited the game, and the 2019 fifth-rounder performed fairly well with his increased opportunities. Gentry had totaled just two receiving yards over Pittsburgh's last three games, but he should serve as the team's top tight end if Freiermuth is forced to miss additional time.

Oct 10, 2022 8:56 AM EST


Held to one target Sunday

Gentry secured his lone target for two yards during the Steelers' 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday.

Analysis: Gentry didn't play in last week's loss to Cleveland, but he was on the field for a season-high 61 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday. In spite of his uptick in playing time, the 2019 fifth-rounder had minimal production and should continue to have a limited role in the passing game as long as Pat Freiermuth is healthy.

Oct 3, 2022 8:20 AM EST


Racks up 40 yards Sunday

Gentry secured both of his targets for 40 yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Gentry didn't start Sunday's season opener and was on the field for just 30 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, but he had a 32-yard reception early in the second quarter, which was the Steelers' longest play of the game. In spite of Gentry's solid yardage total to begin the season, Pat Freiermuth unsurprisingly led the team's tight ends by securing five of 10 targets for 75 yards. As long as Freiermuth stays healthy, it seems unlikely that Gentry will have enough playing time to make him a reliable fantasy option.

Sep 12, 2022 9:03 AM EST


Not targeted against Lions

Gentry wasn't targeted during Sunday's 19-9 preseason win over the Lions.

Analysis: Gentry served as a starter Sunday and was on the field for 25 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, but he didn't have an impact in the passing game. The 2019 fifth-rounder was quiet during the preseason, securing his lone target for nine yards. He's in line to begin the year as the No. 2 tight end behind Pat Freiermuth since Eric Ebron is no longer with the team, but Gentry's fantasy value will likely be limited as long as Freiermuth is healthy.

Aug 29, 2022 11:56 AM EST


Four catches in Week 18

Gentry secured four of five targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 16-13 OT win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Gentry matched his highest totals of the year in targets, catches and yards during Sunday's regular-season finale as the Steelers managed to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The 25-year-old had inconsistent results in 2021 while operating mainly as the team's No. 2 tight end, and he caught 19 of 25 targets for 167 yards across 17 appearances. The 2019 fifth-rounder will likely have the chance to enter the 2022 campaign as the Steelers' secondary option at tight end if Eric Ebron (knee) leaves in free agency, but he'll need to have more consistent production in the passing game if he hopes to become more fantasy relevant.

Jan 10, 2022 7:30 AM EST


Makes four catches

Gentry caught four passes for 31 yards on four targets against Kansas City on Sunday.

Analysis: The absence of Pat Freiermuth (concussion) left an opening for Gentry to see more work as a pass catcher, and the hulking tight end did his part with the usage. At 6-foot-8, 265 pounds with limited movement ability, this box score might mark something of a best-case scenario for Gentry, who more reliably makes his mark as a blocker.

Dec 26, 2021 5:47 PM EST


Primed for Week 16 start

Gentry is expected to serve as the Steelers' starting tight end Sunday against the Chiefs with Pat Freiermuth (concussion) ruled out for Week 16.

Analysis: Gentry opened the campaign behind both Freiermuth and Eric Ebron (knee) on the depth chart, but with the latter two players both sidelined in the same game for the first time this season, Gentry will get the opportunity to pick up a start. He's not as expected to be as involved in the passing game as either Freiermuth or Ebron typically might be, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's tendency to favor short-yardage throws could at least allow Gentry to draw a handful of targets. Gentry will likely need to find the end zone to pay dividends for those that turn to him as a desperation play in fantasy, however.

Dec 24, 2021 1:39 PM EST


Totals 17 yards in Week 15

Gentry secured his lone target for 17 yards in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Titans.

Analysis: Gentry wasn't targeted in last week's loss to the Vikings, but he brought the Steelers into the red zone with his lone catch in the third quarter Sunday. Although the 2019 fifth-rounder has had limited work this season, he could see a larger role if Pat Freiermuth (concussion) is forced to miss additional time.

Dec 20, 2021 7:20 AM EST


Two receptions in Week 13

Gentry secured both of his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Gentry was on the field for 50 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps Monday, but he failed to generate much fantasy production in the narrow win. Across the first 12 games of the season the 2019 fifth-rounder has hauled in nine of 13 targets for 80 yards. While Gentry should continue to see an increased role while Eric Ebron (hamstring) is sidelined, rookie Pat Freiermuth has established himself as the team's clear top tight end.

Dec 6, 2021 7:30 AM EST


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