NFL Player News

Smythe doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup in Chicago, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Smythe was limited at each practice during Week 9 prep due to a lingering hamstring issue, but he'll suit up for a third straight contest after sitting out Week 6 due to the same injury. While the backup tight end has been able to play the last two games, he hasn't seen a target across 57 offensive snaps after securing six of seven targets for 50 yards through his first five appearances.

Trautman (ankle) was a limited participant during Friday's practice.

Trautman, who's missed the past two games with an ankle injury, has logged back-to-back limited practices to start Week 9 prep. He'll have one more opportunity to log a full practice before the Saints need to make a decision on his status for Monday's matchup against the Ravens.

Parham (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Parham was diagnosed with a concussion following Week 6 that sidelined him Week 7, but the Chargers' Week 8 bye helped him clear the protocol for head injuries earlier this week. However, a hamstring injury cropped up Thursday that held him out of practice, and he now will miss a second game in a row due to a health concern. With Parham out, Tre' McKitty and Richard Rodgers will be the candidates to get work behind starting tight end Gerald Everett.

Uzomah (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Uzomah was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday due to this injury, but he avoided the final injury report after a full practice Friday. He has been used primarily as a blocker by the Jets while most of the pass catching opportunities at tight end have gone to Tyler Conklin.

Waller (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

"He's working extremely hard to try to get back as soon as he can," coach Josh McDaniels said of Waller, who has missed two straight contests. "I know that, and nobody wants to play quicker than Darren does." Fortunately for those considering the Raiders' top tight end in Week 9 fantasy lineups, the team kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If Waller remains out or is limited this weekend, added snaps and targets once again would be available for Foster Moreau.

Fortson (quadriceps/illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Titans, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Fortson landed on the injury report Wednesday as a non-participant due to a quadriceps injury, but he's now being listed with an illness as well. The severity of the issues remain unclear, but the reserve tight end will miss at least one game. If Kansas City doesn't elevate a tight end for Week 9, Noah Gray will be the only backup available behind Travis Kelce.

Andrews (shoulder/ankle) didn't practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Andrews sat out a second consecutive practice, but he'll have one more chance to get back on the practice field Saturday before Monday's game against the Saints. Even with an extra day to get healthy, the star tight end is far from a lock to play, and fantasy managers with a roster spot to spare should consider bringing in Isaiah Likely as a contingency plan. After Andrews exited early in the team's Week 8 win over Tampa Bay, Likely caught six of seven targets for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Coach Kevin O'Connell expects Smith (ankle) to avoid surgery and gave a timeline estimate of 4-to-8 weeks Friday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Vikings hope to get Smith back at some point in December or January, though his role won't be what it was if new teammate T.J. Hockenson stays healthy. The Vikings traded for Hockenson at the trade deadline after Smith injured his ankle in a Week 8 win over Arizona, with initial reports suggesting the latter would miss 8-to-10 weeks. O'Connell apparently is a bit more optimistic but still expects Smith to be out a while. The tight end was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Turner (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Vikings, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Turner has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol and will see game action for the first time since suffering the concussion in Week 7 against the Packers. Washington has battled injuries at tight end, but with the team's top options at the position having regained health, Turner will likely be used primarily on special teams while playing sparingly, if at all, on offense.

Thomas (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

It remains to be seen if Thomas will take on more work after handling 56 percent of offensive snaps (but zero targets) last week in his first game back from a three-week absence due to a calf injury. He should see a few targets this time around, but the threat of losing snaps/routes to Armani Rogers, John Bates and/or Cole Turner still is present for Thomas.