NFL Player News

Kroft (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

A full practice Friday suggested Kroft would suit up for the first time since Week 4. He played 66 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps over the first four weeks of the season, but caught just six passes for 46 yards on 10 targets. Ryan Griffin hasn't been much better in Kroft's absence, catching exactly one pass in four straight games.

Wright has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Wright did the same prior to the Week 7 tilt against the Rams and played a total of 15 offensive snaps with 20 more on special teams. He'll likely revert back to the practice squad after the game.

Okwuegbunam (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

The Broncos activated both Okwuegbunam and Jerry Jeudy (ankle) ahead of Sunday's matchup, setting the duo up to make their respective returns. Okwuegbunam will still operate behind Noah Fant as the No. 2 tight end, but the Missouri product seemingly has carved out a bigger role in his second season with the team, tallying nine receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in the four games prior to his injury.

Smith (knee) is questionable for Monday's game against Kansas City, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Smith put in limited practices Thursday and Friday before sitting out Saturday. He hasn't had much of a role in the passing game to this point, seeing just three targets all season and none since Week 3.

Engram (calf) was not listed on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Engram was never in any serious jeopardy of missing Monday's game and has an opportunity to build on his season-high marks from last week with Kenny Golladay (knee) and Saquon Barkley (ankle) once again unable to play. This could also be a showcase contest for the 2017 first-round pick given the ever-increasing trade rumors surrounding Engram as the team once again limps through a disappointing campaign.

The Rams have promoted Blanton to their active roster ahead of Sunday's tilt against the Texans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Blanton reverted to the practice squad earlier this week after suiting up for his first game of the season in Week 7. He will now make that back-to-back appearances, as he is expected to contribute on special teams and provide depth at tight end.

Dafney played 14 of 73 offensive snaps (19 percent) during Thursday's 24-21 win in Arizona.

Starting Week 13 of last season, Dafney became a regular in the Packers' tight end rotation, but in seven appearances (including playoffs) he topped out at a 39 percent snap share and combined for two catches (on two targets) for 26 yards and one touchdown. He proceeded to miss Weeks 3-7 of the current campaign due to an IR stint caused by a hip injury, but his return Thursday happened to coincide with top tight end Robert Tonyan suffering a torn ACL. Dafney thus seems poised for a consistent role at tight end alongside Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara moving forward.

Deguara hauled in both targets for 20 yards in Thursday's 24-21 win at Arizona.

Deguara doubled his catch count on the campaign in the process, and he's likely to earn more work moving forward after Robert Tonyan suffered a torn ACL in the contest. Per Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site, coach Mike LaFleur expects to take a "by-committee" approach at tight end moving forward, and because of the team's TE-heavy scheme Deguara may begin to realize the investment made in him as a third-round pick in the 2020 draft. Aside from Deguara, Green Bay trots out Marcedes Lewis, Dominique Dafney and Tyler Davis at the position.

Lewis is in line for more work following Robert Tonyan's diagnosis of a torn ACL, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will take a "by-committee" approach at tight end following the loss of Tonyan for the rest of the season. Lewis may not be in line for a jump in targets, but his share of the offensive snaps could bump up from the 40-50 percent that he's earned in most of the team's eight games so far. Along with Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Dominique Dafney and Tyler Davis will be the TE considerations for Green Bay.

Smith (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers after logging limited practices this past week.

Smith, who was forced out of this past Sunday's win over the Jets after suffering a shoulder injury, is one of 14 players listed as questionable by New England this week. Per Zack Cox of NESN.com, though Smith's scheduled Friday news conference was canceled, he did travel with the team to Los Angeles in advance of Week 8 action. Official confirmation of Smith's game status will thus arrive when the Patriots' inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's limited or out this weekend, Hunter Henry would be in line for added looks.