NFL Player News

Uzomah (knee) didn't practice Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

It would've been a major surprise if Uzomah had practiced this week, after suffering an MCL sprain in the AFC Championship Game. The Bengals hope he can make it back for the Super Bowl, but that's far from a guarantee. A return to practice next week would be a big step in the right direction.

Uzomah (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

The tight end was the only player on Cincinnati's active roster to log a DNP on Thursday, but Uzomah, who is dealing with a knee injury that he sustained this past Sunday, does at least have some added healing time with his team's Super Bowl matchup against the Rams not until Sunday, Feb. 13. Next up for reps at Uzomah's position in his absence from practice is the Bengals' No. 2 TE Drew Sample.

Higbee (knee) didn't take part in Thursday's walkthrough, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee is tending to a sprained MCL that knocked him out in the first half of the Rams' victory in the NFC Championship Game this past Sunday against the 49ers. He has no practice reps under his belt yet ahead of a Super Bowl matchup with the Bengals, but with more than a week to go before the contest on Sunday, Feb. 13, he'll have a handful of chances to get some on-field reps. A limited or inactive Higbee would lead to increased significance for reserve tight end Kendall Blanton.

Davis was targeted five times and caught four passes for 35 yards over 14 appearances in the 2021 season.

The Packers signed Davis off the Colts' practice squad in late September, and he wound up seeing action in every game the rest of the way. He filled a reserve role in each contest, but his snap count increased as the season went on, and he may have done enough to be brought back by the Packers for another go-around.

Dafney was targeted four times and caught two passes for 34 yards over 10 appearances in the 2021 season.

The 10 appearances were twice as many as Dafney tallied the season before, but he finished with relatively the same stats he put up in 2020 and did not find the end zone. The Packers will have the option to bring him back for another season or allow him to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Lewis was targeted 28 times and caught 23 passes for 214 yards over 17 appearances in the 2021 season.

Lewis has not been a fantasy factor for awhile, but he filled a steady role for the Packers in 2021, appearing in every game and serving as the team's top blocking tight end. The 16-year veteran signed a two-year contract with the Packers last month, so he figures to return to Green Bay for another go-around.

Deguara was targeted 33 times and caught 25 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns over 16 appearances in the 2021 season.

Deguara played a bit role early in the season, but he moved up the depth chart when fellow tight end Robert Tonyan suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8 and finished the campaign as the Packers' top tight end. He did not do a whole lot outside of two long scores, but he was taken in the third round just two years ago, so he's going to get more opportunities in 2022. Just how many remains to be seen, as Tonyan will be a free agent this offseason.

Higbee (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Higbee's lack of activity comes as no surprise after he was unable to return to this past Sunday's win in the NFC Championship Game versus the 49ers due to what head coach Sean McVay later revealed to be a sprained MCL. The tight end will have two weeks to put himself in a position to suit up in the Super Bowl against the Bengals on Feb. 13, but if he's unable to go, Kendall Blanton would be the biggest beneficiary at tight end.

The Chiefs signed Bushman to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Bushman was elevated to the Raiders' active roster twice during the regular season but didn't play a significant role. He joined Kansas City's practice squad in early January and will now attempt to carve out a role with the team during the offseason.

Uzomah (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, the tight end is thought to be dealing with a sprained MCL that he suffered during this past Sunday's AFC Championship Game victory over Kansas City. With the Super Bowl matchup with the Rams not arriving until Feb. 13, Uzomah is afforded some added healing time. More clarity regarding his status for the Super Bowl is likely to arrive during the Bengals' practice sessions next week.