NFL Player News

Brown (thigh) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Miami.

Brown will miss a second consecutive game due to the thigh injury, and he was unable to practice in any capacity throughout the week. Jordan Akins and rookie Brevin Jordan, who found the end zone in his NFL debut last week, will continue to split the workload at tight end with Brown sidelined.

Okwuegbunam (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Cowboys, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Okwuegbunam was limited at practice this week by the knee injury, but he may be able to play Sunday in Dallas. If available, the 23-year-old could have a larger role in Denver's aerial attack, as Broncos head coach Vic Fangio suggested Friday that Noah Fant (illness) won't be ready to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's contest, per Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.

Coach Vic Fangio believes Fant (illness) won't come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to suit up Sunday in Dallas, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Denver has one of the league's more intriguing backup tight ends in Albert Okwuegbunam, but he's questionable himself due to a knee injury, so Eric Saubert could be pushed into a featured role come Sunday. Considering Fant is vaccinated, there's a good chance he'll be able to return in time for the Broncos' Week 10 home game against the Eagles.

Smith (knee) was limited in practice Friday but expects to play Sunday against the Raiders, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Smith has been dealing with an aggravated knee injury since before Week 7. While the tight end was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, the 24-year-old is expected to play Sunday against the Raiders. With Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram both healthy and above Smith on the depth chart, it's likely that Smith will fill a depth role at tight end.

Kroft sustained a lung laceration in Thursday's loss to the Colts and is expected to miss multiple weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

New York expects Kroft to return this season, but he'll presumably be moved to injured reserve next week, meaning that he'll be forced to sit out at least three games. With Kroft out of the mix, Ryan Griffin -- who logged a 4-28-1 stat line on seven targets Thursday -- and Trevon Wesco (two catches for 16 yards) will serve as the Jets' top two options at tight end.

Sweeney is expected to make a second straight start Sunday against the Jaguars after head coach Sean McDermott ruled out No. 1 tight end Dawson Knox (hand) for the contest, Chris Jenkins of the Bills' official site reports.

Sweeney was the primary replacement for Knox in last week's 26-11 win over the Dolphins, finishing the day with a 3-30-0 receiving line on four targets. Though his statistics weren't anything special, Sweeney's underlying usage last week could make him an intriguing sleeper at tight end in season-long leagues or DFS contests in a favorable matchup against the 1-6 Jaguars. He was on the field for 80 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps Week 8, ran routes on 77 percent of the Bills' passing plays, and drew three of his four targets in the red zone.

Bryant (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Bryant was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant, and his status for Sunday's contest remains up in the air. The 23-year-old caught two passes for 33 yards last week, which was his first multi-reception effort since Week 2 as he continues to work as Cleveland's No. 3 tight end.

Wesco caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Thursday's 45-30 loss to the Colts.

Wesco worked his way onto the field in sets that called for two tight ends after Tyler Kroft exited due to a chest injury. This was the first multi-catch performance of the 2019 fourth-round pick's career.

Coach Sean McDermott said Knox (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Knox is recovering from surgery on his hand and will be sidelined for the second consecutive game. Tommy Sweeney, who caught three passes for 30 yards Week 8, is poised to lead Buffalo's group of tight ends again Sunday versus the Jaguars.

Kroft has been ruled out of the remainder of Thursday's game against the Colts due to a chest injury.

Kroft made a leaping catch late in the first half but left the game immediately after. There's no indication of what the exact injury is, but he will be sidelined after logging two receptions for 38 yards. Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco will serve as the team's primary tight ends in Kroft's absence.