Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper was active against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football but had not received a passing target by halftime.
The Falcons led 14-9 at the break, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. spreading the ball to four different receivers.
Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Jahan Dotson were the only Atlanta players to catch passes in the first half, according to Heavy.
Hooper ran pass routes but did not record an official target, leaving the veteran tight end without a statistical contribution in the passing game.
Reduced Role in Atlanta's Tight End Rotation
Hooper returned to Atlanta after reaching the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots last season.
His limited involvement reflects a reduced role in the Falcons' offensive rotation.
Kyle Pitts remains Atlanta's primary receiving option at tight end, while Charlie Woerner and Nick Muse are used mainly for blocking duties.
That division of responsibilities has limited Hooper's opportunities as a receiver.
Heavy reported that Hooper recorded the fourth-most snaps among Falcons tight ends in Week 4.
His position on the depth chart does not necessarily define his role in the passing game, but his playing time has remained limited.
The Falcons typically turn to Woerner and Muse when they need tight ends to block.
When the offense seeks a receiving option at the position, Pitts is the preferred choice.
Hooper has nevertheless received attention from Penix in red-zone situations this season, according to Heavy.
That history leaves open the possibility of additional opportunities after halftime, though the source did not report any confirmed plans to increase his involvement.
Pitts' productive first half also helped explain why Atlanta had not needed to involve another tight end as a receiver.
With the Falcons leading 14-9 at halftime, Hooper remained active but had yet to record a target against Baltimore.
