Carlson announced his retirement Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The 30-year-old Carlson has a history of concussions, and he never lived up to the promise of his first two seasons. He averaged a 53-600-6 receiving line with the Seahawks in his first two years, but he has since failed to top 350 receiving yards in any one season. With the former second-round draft pick out of the picture, Arizona's shaky depth chart at tight end looks all the more questionable. 2014 second-round selection Troy Niklas is the favorite to start, despite catching just three passes in seven games as a rookie. While athletic for his size (6-6, 270 pounds), Niklas doesn't profile as a high-volume receiver in the NFL. That isn't necessarily an issue, as the Cardinals have plenty of capable pass-catchers at wide receiver and running back. For tight ends, the team also has former basketball player Darren Fells, along with 2015 seventh-round selection Gerald Christian. Expect Niklas and Fells to compete for the starting job.

Carlson played 18 of the Cardinals' 70 offensive snaps during Sunday's defeat at San Francisco, Football Outsiders reports. Over the final four outings of the season, Carlson oscillated between second and third on the tight end depth chart with Rob Housler behind Darren Fells. The likely impetus was Carlson's lacking ability as a blocker, and because Fells has been serviceable as a pass catcher -- five receptions (on 11 targets) for 71 yards during the aforementioned span -- Carlson could be jettisoned as a cost-cutting measure in the offseason. No matter how the coming months unfold, Carlson concludes his first season in the desert with 33 catches (on 55 targets) for 350 yards and one score.

Carlson (calf) is active for Sunday's game at San Francisco, the Cardinals' official site reports. After three consecutive outings languishing behind fellow tight end Darren Fells in terms of snaps, Carlson nearly matched the former pro basketball player in Week 16, earning 28 versus Fells' 32. Nevertheless, Carlson failed to reach 20 yards receiving for the seventh time this season, which could expand to eight Sunday due to deep reserve Ryan Lindley getting the nod under center for the second game in a row.

Carlson (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco. Carlson was able to log two limited practices this week, but he's not a fantasy consideration with Ryn Lindley at quarterback.

Carlson (calf) was limited in practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Carlson's activity level experienced a bump from Wednesday's no-show, which is the first step in the achievement of active status Sunday at San Francisco. If he reaches that summit, he could produce against a defense that has surrendered 15.9 YPC and three touchdown receptions to tight ends in the past three games.

Carlson (calf) didn't practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. After playing a bit part in the offense for two games, Carlson nearly matched fellow tight end Darren Fells in terms of snaps in Week 16 -- 28 versus 32 -- according to Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix. Carlson's blocking will likely remain a liability, but he could prosper Sunday against a 49ers defense that has allowed 15.9 YPC and three touchdowns to TE in the last three contests.

Carlson took the field for 21 of the Cardinals' 64 offensive snaps during Thursday's victory at St. Louis, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. With 47 snaps to his name, Darren Fells earned far more run than Carlson and fellow tight end Rob Housler (19) for the second game in a row. While Carlson still managed one catch (on one target) for 11 yards, the quarterback situation in Arizona is untenable due to Drew Stanton's knee sprain, meaning owners should continue to avoid their TE trio.

Carlson played 17 of the Cardinals' 69 offensive snaps during Sunday's victory against the Chiefs, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. Carlson has lost his footing as Arizona's top tight end, as evidenced by ranking behind both Darren Fells (42 snaps) and Rob Housler (21) in terms of usage. With only one reception for one yard in Week 14, Carlson failed to uphold his standard from the rest of the season -- in the first 12 games, he averaged 2.3 catches (on 4.1 targets) for 26.4 yards -- which was replaceable in the vast majority of formats. As the season winds to a close, he may have been relieved of his TE duties due to his poor form as a blocker.

Carlson hauled in 2-of-3 targets for 38 yards during Sunday's defeat at Atlanta. Carlson didn't receive the lion's share of TE snaps in Week 13, as he does most game days, picking up 25 of the Cardinals' 55 offensive snaps, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. Meanwhile, fellow tight ends Darren Fells (23 snaps) and Rob Housler (13) cut into Carlson's run but failed to earn even one look from Drew Stanton in the passing game. The signal caller in Arizona, whether it's Stanton or Carson Palmer (knee), hasn't really affected Carlson's weekly production, but if his deficiencies as a blocker continue, Carlson could see his relevance dwindle further.

Carlson played 43 of the Cardinals' 54 offensive snaps during Sunday's loss in Seattle, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. The Cardinals' passing attack was without a stalwart member, Larry Fitzgerald (knee), but Carlson was unable to fill the void, recording three receptions (on four targets) for 25 yards. The preceding line deviated little from his average game this season -- 2.4 catches (on 4.2 targets) for 25.4 yards -- which explains his fantasy irrelevance.