NFL Player News

Uzomah (knee) considers himself day-to-day and said Monday that he plans to play in the Super Bowl, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Uzomah suffered an MCL sprain in the first half of the AFC Championship Game, leaving backup tight end Drew Sample in a three-down role for the remainder of the contest. The week off between conference championship games and the Super Bowl helps, but there's still no guarantee of Uzomah being ready by Sunday, even after his confident statement Monday morning. He was held out of practice last week, eventually progressing to rehab work on the side over the weekend. A return to practice this week would be a big step in the right direction.

Knox finished his third NFL season with 49 catches on 71 targets for 587 yards and nine TD catches over 15 games.

Knox also found the end zone twice in the playoffs. His nine TD catches in the regular season tied for the league lead among tight ends and were the most for any TE in Bills franchise history. While the targets and yardage still fall short of the league's elite at the position, Knox may have outperformed every other TE in terms of outproducing his draft day value, which was pretty close to zero as an undrafted player in a number of leagues. As a 26-year-old with an elite quarterback locked into the system, Knox will probably be picked among the the top eight tight ends in almost every format next season.

Uzomah (knee) had his first rehab day of the week on the side of Saturday's practice, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Uzomah worked with trainer Nick Cosgray by using the stationary bike and resistance bands, plus he did some running and kicking in the air. It is a good sign for the Bengals' No. 1 tight end, as it is his first real work since suffering an MCL sprain in the AFC Championship Game. It remains to be seen if he can make enough progress to suit up for the Super Bowl, but Saturday's workout is a step in the right direction.

Higbee (knee) didn't practice Friday, Tyler Dragon of USA Today reports.

With Higbee absent for a third straight day, the Rams estimate he'd be listed as doubtful if they had a game this Sunday. As is, he'll have another week to prepare for the Super Bowl, with Higbee and Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah (also nursing an MCL sprain) potentially the two biggest injury question marks next week. Backup TE Kendall Blanton caught five passes after Higbee's early departure from the NFC Championship Game, and Blanton could have a significant role again, with coach Sean McVay acknowledging that Higbee is uncertain for the Super Bowl.

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.