NFL Player News

Waller (hamstring) told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com on Tuesday that he's "on track" to be activated from injured reserve next week and perhaps suit up for Week 15 against the Patriots.

Waller's comment seemingly rule him out from playing in this Thursday's game at the Rams, especially because the Raiders have yet to designate him for return from IR. He's been sidelined since Week 5 due to a strained left hamstring, which has allowed Foster Moreau to serve as the team's No. 1 tight end.

Alie-Cox had one reception for six yards on his lone target but lost a fumble in Sunday's loss to Dallas.

Kylen Granson started at tight end and played more snaps than Alie-Cox (41 to 31). Alie-Cox was also third in routes run among the tight ends, as Granson had 22 and Jelani Woods had 12, compared to Alie-Cox's 10. Given Alie-Cox had a key fumble, he's likely to be the third option among the tight ends in the passing game when Indy returns from its bye week.

Ferguson caught both his targets for minus-1 yard in Sunday's win over the Colts.

The Cowboys racked up 54 points, but Ferguson didn't benefit from the offensive eruption. The rookie tight end has caught all seven of his targets over the last three games for 71 yards, but even in a TE Premium format he has little fantasy value while Dalton Schultz is healthy.

Hudson signed with the Bengals' practice squad Tuesday.

Hudson was waived by the Giants on Saturday after he made 10 catches on 15 targets for 132 yards in 11 appearances with the team. With Hayden Hurst (calf) unlikely to play Sunday against the Browns, Hudson could find himself on the active roster this weekend.

Granson was in the starting lineup at tight end and had four receptions for 19 yards on six targets during Sunday's loss at Dallas.

Granson returned after missing one game due to an illness and resumed his spot as the Colts' top tight end. He led the tight ends in snaps, routes run and targets, but the volume didn't produce many yards given the struggles of the Indy passing game. Despite his position on the depth chart, Granson doesn't have a lot of upside as Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods also remain in the mix at TE.

Njoku (knee) is expected to practice this week and play Sunday against the Bengals, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.

Njoku was sidelined for Week 13 due to a knee injury, marking his third absence over the past six weeks. However, the tight end is presumably feeling better and trending in the right direction to start Week 14. Nonetheless, fantasy managers should monitor Njoku's participation throughout prep to ensure he's still on track to suit up later in the week. When available, the 2017 first-round pick has been a consistent producer, totaling 41 receptions for 464 yards and two scores across nine appearances.

McKitty caught his only target for eight yards during the 27-20 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.

McKitty was targeted for just the first time in the past three weeks as he continues to fight for opportunities. Despite playing nine more snaps than Stone Smartt, he was still targeted two less times than the rookie tight end, as he continues to be utilized primarily as a blocking specialist. Barring an injury, McKitty's production shouldn't be expected to increase and thus doesn't have much fantasy value except in the deepest of leagues.

Smartt caught two of his three yards in the 27-20 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.

Smartt was technically listed as one of the starting tight ends alongside Gerald Everett, but that clearly was a false flag as nominal No. 2 tight end, Tre' McKitty, wound up out-snapping the undrafted rookie. It's hard to imagine Smartt earning an extended role provided the others above him on the depth chart stay healthy.

Woods had two receptions for 28 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Dallas.

A week after posting eight catches for 98 yards on nine targets, Woods was an afterthought in the offense until late in the fourth quarter. Kylen Granson returned from an illness and started at tight end, and Granson played the most snaps on offense (41) of the Colts' tight ends ahead of Mo Alie-Cox's 31 and Woods' 15, though Woods ran the second-most routes. Perhaps Woods will have a bigger role after the team's Week 14 bye, but Indianapolis has split targets three ways all season between the tight ends as part of a passing attack that has generally struggled.

Likely caught all four of his targets for 30 yards Sunday against the Broncos.

The rookie returned from a one-game absence Sunday and turned in one of his more efficient outings of the season. It marked the third time this season he caught every target. Likely seemed to have a solid rapport with Tyler Huntley after he came in for the injured Lamar Jackson (knee). Still, Mark Andrews, Demarcus Robinson and Devin Duvernay led the team in targets. Baltimore plays at Pittsburgh in Week 14.