NFL Player News

Tonyan is expected to handle a greater role as a pass catcher Thursday in Arizona with receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard having been ruled out for the game following their placements on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Green Bay could be without its top three wide receivers Week 8, as Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) still resides on injured reserve and is no lock to be activated ahead of Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for transactions. Even if Valdes-Scantling suits up, he'll likely be available for only a limited role after failing to practice this week, so the Packers appear prepared to enter the contest with Tonyan, running back Aaron Jones and wideouts Randall Cobb and Equanimeous St. Brown as the most established targets in the passing game for Aaron Rodgers. The absence of Adams -- whose 33.2 percent target share ranks second in the NFL to only the Rams' Cooper Kupp (33.6 percent) -- is particularly notable, and could put Tonyan in position to deliver his best fantasy line of season. While Adams was sidelined Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2020 season, Tonyan produced an 11-148-4 receiving line on 11 targets.

Sweeney is in line for added opportunities Sunday against the Dolphins with Dawson Knox (hand) having been ruled out for the contest.

Knox, who has recorded a 21-286-5 stat line through six games, underwent hand surgery during the Bills' bye week and while coach Sean McDermott hasn't provided a timetable for his return, it's plausible that Sweeney will fill in as Buffalo's top tight end beyond Week 8. Though WRs Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis could see added looks while Knox is out, Sweeney -- who has recorded just four catches and one TD this season -- is the player who should see the biggest uptick in production in the meantime, making him an option for those in deeper leagues scrambling for tight end depth due to injury or bye week concerns.

Daniels (hamstring) is questionable for this week's matchup with the Packers on Thursday Night Football, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Daniels was a limited participant in practice Tuesday before being estimated as limited at Wednesday's walkthrough. He is likely going to be a game-time decision, and if the tight end can't go, Demetrius Harris would operate as the primary backup behind Zach Ertz at the position.

Kroft (back) was listed as a limited participant during the Jets' practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Kroft hasn't played since Week 4, when he suffered a back injury in practice. With the tight end getting back on the field in some capacity to begin Week 8 prep, the Jets have reason to believe that he might be ready to play Sunday against the Bengals. If Kroft is ultimately forced to miss another game, however, expect Ryan Griffin to continue to serve as the Jets' primary tight end.

Okwuegbunam (hamstring) hasn't experienced any setbacks since returning to practice Tuesday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Okwuegbunam remains on injured reserve, but the Broncos will have a 21-day window to evaluate him for activation after he was designated to return Tuesday. Once activated, the tight end should reclaim duties as the Broncos' No. 2 option at the position behind Noah Fant.

Smith (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

The tight end was one of 15 players the Patriots listed as limited Wednesday, but his presence at practice is nonetheless encouraging, given that Smith exited Sunday's win over the Jets with the shoulder injury. In order to avoid a Week 8 injury designation, Smith will presumably need to practice fully by Friday.

Hill (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Hill hasn't been seen on the practice field since sustaining a concussion back in Week 5. Following a Week 6 bye, he sat out Monday's win over Seattle, and he doesn't appear to have made much progress through the protocol for head injuries. If he requires another absence for the Saints' Week 8 showdown with the Bucs, Hill will yield backup quarterback duties to Trevor Siemian.

Hockenson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to ankle and knee injuries.

Hockenson has been saddled with a knee injury for most of October, and now an ankle issue has reared its head on the Lions' initial Week 8 practice report. In three games since the knee issue first surfaced, Hockenson has compiled a modest 16-144-0 receiving line on 23 targets. Hockenson again will look to ditch the designations before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the Eagles, if not by the release of the Lions' final Week 8 injury report Friday.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Kittle (calf) to return for the 49ers' Week 9 game against the Cardinals, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle payed through a sore calf Week 4 versus the Seahawks before landing on injured reserve prior to Week 5. An IR stint required him to sit out at least three games, the third of which will come this Sunday at Chicago. As a result, the 49ers can open his 21-day practice window to return from the reserve list next week, and it appears the team will do just that with the anticipation Kittle will be available for the Nov. 7 game versus Arizona. In the meantime, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley will continue to cover tight end for San Francisco for one more week.

Seals-Jones was limited at Wednesday's practice with a quadriceps injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones has missed just six offensive snaps since taking over as Washington's top tight end in place of Logan Thomas, who hurt his hamstring back in Week 4. Over nearly four games, Seals-Jones has been a consistent target of Taylor Heinicke, hauling in 17 of 26 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. Seals-Jones himself played Week 7 after having some practice limitations last week due to a quad issue, so he's likely in a similar state with his health this time around. Still, he'll have a pair of sessions to clear the air before the weekend.