NFL Player News

Smythe (hamstring) is active Week 8 against the Lions.

Smythe has been the primary backup tight end to Mike Gesicki this season, but he hasn't been particularly involved in the offense of late. Despite failing to log a full practice this week due to injury, he'll find himself as one of four active Miami tight ends on Sunday's game day roster.

Firkser (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Firkser will now miss a third consecutive contest due to a coach's decision after playing in each of the team's first five games. While the Falcons currently have four healthy tight ends in front of the 27-year-old on the team's depth chart, it's uncertain when Firkser will return to game action.

Johnson (hamstring) Is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Johnson was tacked on to the Saints' injury report Thursday due to a hamstring issue, which limited him in practice Thursday and Friday, but he'll nonetheless be available to the offense. As for fellow tight end Adam Trautman, he'll miss a second consecutive contest due to a left ankle injury. Over the last two outings, Johnson has been looked at often by quarterback Andy Dalton, hauling in nine of 11 targets for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Schultz (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schultz's reps were capped in practices Wednesday through Friday while he continued to manage the PCL sprain that kept him out of action Weeks 3 and 6, but the Cowboys didn't provide any indication he experienced a setback during his return to the lineup in the Week 7 win over the Lions. Even so, Schultz still took a questionable tag into the weekend, but his availability never seemed to be in much peril. Schultz should once again start and play the majority of the snaps at tight end Sunday while serving as a key target underneath for Dak Prescott.

Trautman (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Raiders.

Trautman thus is missing a second straight game as he tends to a left ankle injury. Meanwhile, Juwan Johnson (hamstring) is available, setting the stage for him to be the Saints' primary receiving tight end Sunday. Trautman's next chance to play will arrive Monday, Nov. 7 versus the Ravens.

Waller (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.

With Waller set to miss his second straight game, Foster Moreau is once again in line to handle added TE reps for the Raiders in Week 8, a context that resulted in him catching three of his five targets for 28 yards in last weekend's 38-20 win over the Texans. Waller will thus target a potential return to action in Week 9 versus the Jaguars.

Waller (hamstring) is not in line to play Sunday against the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation of the tight end's status will arrive once the Raiders' Week 8 inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff, but it looks like Waller is in line to be sidelined, which paves the way for Foster Moreau to see added snaps versus New Orleans.

Waller (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans, will test his injury in pregame warmups before the Raiders decide on his status, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Raiders are seemingly treating Waller as a game-time call leading up to the contest's 1 p.m. ET start time, with more clarity on the tight end's status likely to arrive when the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. If Waller finds himself inactive or if he suits up Sunday but is available only in a limited capacity, Foster Moreau would be in line to play the majority of the snaps at tight end.

Okwuegbunam (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Okwuegbunam will be a healthy scratch for the third game in a row, and he'll likely continue to find himself outside of Denver's offensive game plans for the foreseeable future with rookie third-round pick Greg Dulcich having taking over as the Broncos' top tight end. Because he offers limited utility as a blocker or on special teams, Okwuegbunam also finds himself behind Eric Tomlinson, Andrew Beck and Eric Saubert on the depth chart. The 24-year-old Okwuegbunam could surely benefit from a change of scenery, and he could be a candidate to get dealt ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline if the Broncos find a suitor in need of a tight end with some pass-catching upside.

Minnesota elevated Hollister from its practice squad to the active roster Saturday for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Tyler Forness of USA Today reports.

Hollister was elevated to the active roster for Week 6 and played exclusively on special teams. The veteran tight end figures to garner a similar role Sunday.