Anthony Firkser: Everything you need to know

Firkser caught eight of 10 targets for 53 yards over seven contests during the regular season. Firkser signed with the Lions' practice squad in mid-November and was quickly elevated to the active roster ahead of the team's Week 12 matchup with the Giants due to Sam LaPorta (back) being sidelined. The tight end's role quickly expanded after Brock Wright (neck) went down for the year in Week 13, and Firkser ultimately caught at least one pass in four of the seven games he appeared in with the team. Prior to this season, Firkser hadn't reeled in a pass since the 2022 campaign, and he'll now be a free agent heading into the offseason.

Firkser failed to reel in his only target in Thursday's 23-10 loss to the Vikings. Firkser was unable to secure a pass for the second time in three weeks and the third time over six contests since making his season debut Nov. 23. The tight end once again split time with Shane Zylstra in Week 17, and Firkser did garner a target while Zylstra did not. Firkser will have one more chance to reach the end zone for the first time since 2021 when the Lions travel to face the Bears on Jan. 4.

Firkser caught all four of his targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to the Steelers. Firkser saw a similar workload on offense, logging 25 snaps with the unit after 22 in Week 15, but he was able to secure four passes. The tight end played 20 fewer snaps on offense than Shane Zylstra (45), but Firkser was able to finish with one more catch than his teammate. Firkser and Zylstra will likely continue to split the offensive opportunities at tight end against the Vikings on Christmas Day, limiting both of their production.