NFL Player News

Gentry is expected to serve as the Steelers' starting tight end Sunday against the Chiefs with Pat Freiermuth (concussion) ruled out for Week 16.

Gentry opened the campaign behind both Freiermuth and Eric Ebron (knee) on the depth chart, but with the latter two players both sidelined in the same game for the first time this season, Gentry will get the opportunity to pick up a start. He's not expected to be as involved in the passing game as either Freiermuth or Ebron typically might be, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's tendency to favor short-yardage throws could at least allow Gentry to draw a handful of targets. Gentry will likely need to find the end zone to pay dividends for those that turn to him as a desperation play in fantasy, however.

Parham (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Houston.

Parham suffered the concussion Week 15 against Kansas City and was unable to clear the NFL's concussion protocol this week. Stephen Anderson will serve as the Chargers' No. 2 tight end Sunday behind starter Jared Cook.

Sample (foot) does not have an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against Baltimore, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Sample did not practice Wednesday and was a limited participant Thursday, but he was able to return to a full session Friday. He'll take on his usual role as the Bengals' No. 2 tight end behind C.J. Uzomah on Sunday.

The Steelers have ruled Freiermuth (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The rookie tight end will sit out for the first time in his career after he failed to make any notable progress since suffering the head injury in last week's win over the Titans. He failed to practice in any capacity Wednesday through Friday, suggesting Freiermuth still is in the early stages of the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Zach Gentry should start and pick up most of the snaps at tight end Sunday, but he's not likely to be as involved in the passing game as Freiermuth typically is.

Swaim recorded three receptions on three targets for 10 yards in Thursday's 20-17 win over San Francisco.

Swaim continued to occupy the top tight end role in Tennessee, and he was on the field for 63 percent of offensive snaps. He also finished tied for second on the team with three targets, though that turned into very little production as he was limited to only short areas of the field. Swaim has recorded at least three receptions in five of his last seven games, though he has managed to top 30 receiving yards only once in that span.

The Rams reinstated Higbee from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Higbee has missed the Rams' last two games due to a pair of separate stints on the list. His first placement on the list ahead of a Week 14 game in Arizona was the result of a false positive test, but it's not clear if he returned to the list prior to the Rams' Week 15 win over the Seahawks due to a positive test or a close-contact situation. Regardless, Higbee now has been restored to the active roster, putting him on track to reclaim his usual starting role at tight end Sunday in Minnesota. Through 12 appearances this season, Higbee has turned in a 44-395-3 receiving line on 62 targets.

Bell is expected to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While such a move has yet to be confirmed by the team, Bell's Week 16 status is noteworthy, with Kansas City's top tight end Travis Kelce (illness) also on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If Bell is activated for Sunday's contest and Kelce isn't, Bell would be line to share TE work with Noah Gray versus Pittsburgh.

Kittle brought in two of three targets for 21 yards in the 49ers' 20-17 loss to the Titans on Thursday night.

Kittle opened the game looking like he'd have no trouble keeping up his momentum from recent games, but his opportunities completely dried up after his third and final target of the night was intercepted in the end zone by Janoris Jenkins with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter. The ultra-talented tight end was surprisingly shut down the rest of the way, leading to his second-lowest reception and receiving yardage totals of the season. Kittle will have a favorable matchup with which to potentially bounce back to his usual numbers in Week 17, as the Texans pay a visit to the 49ers a week from Sunday.

Dafney (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Browns.

After sitting out last week's win over the Ravens with the injury, Dafney was listed as a limited participant on practice reports issued Tuesday through Thursday to take the questionable tag into the weekend. If he avoids the inactive list, Dafney will likely serve as Green Bay's No. 3 tight end and work primarily as a blocker.

Waller (knee/back) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's walkthrough, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Back-to-back listed 'DNPs' don't bode well for Waller's chances of returning to action Sunday against the Broncos, but he has one more chance to make a practice appearance this week. If he remains out, Foster Moreau (abdomen/thigh) presumably would be in line to head the Raiders' Week 16 tight end corps.