By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

Since the Titans' bye in Week 10, rookie tight end Gunnar Helm ranks first on the team in receptions with 21 and second, behind fellow tight end Chig Okonkwo, in receiving yards with 160. Against the 49ers, Helm broke the franchise record for receptions by a rookie tight end previously held by Bo Scaife.

Over the course of the season, Helm ranks second behind just Okonkwo in total receptions and is the Titans' most effective receiving option when it comes to success rate. Plays targeting Helm have a 58 percent success rate for the offense, easily clearing Okonkwo’s 52.5 percent success rate for best on the team.

Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm (84) dives for a touchdown past San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Gunner Helm scores against the 49ers/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

Helm’s role has increased as the season has progressed. After seeing more than a 55 percent snap count just once in the first nine games of the season, he’s gone over that marker now in three of the last five games. Helm’s average number of targets per game has also nearly doubled from 2.8 targets per game before the bye week to 5 post-bye.

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