NFL Player News

Engram was limited by a calf injury at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Engram was absent from Wednesday's unofficial session, but he jumped back into some drills for the start of Week 8 prep Thursday. He'll have two more practices to prove his health ahead of Monday's visit to Kansas City. If he's available, Engram could see more work than usual due to the banged-up nature of the Giants' skill positions. WRs Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) and RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, while WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) and TE Kaden Smith (knee) were limited like Engram.

Dafney (hip) was activated from injured reserve Thursday.

Dafney has been back at practice for two weeks, and he'll be able to suit up for Thursday night's matchup against the Cardinals. The tight end served mainly as a blocker across his first two appearances of the season.

Hockenson (ankle/knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Despite a rotating cast of Lions wide receivers, Hockenson hasn't been incredibly efficient with his workload, with his 53 targets going at a clip of 6.8 YPT. He's also reached the end zone just twice in seven games. Assuming he puts his ankle and knee injuries behind him ahead of Sunday's game, Hockenson will look to exploit an Eagles defense that has given up the second-most catches (46, tied with the Ravens) to tight ends this season.

Seals-Jones (quadriceps) was a full practice participant Thursday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones has been fairly productive while working in place of No. 1 tight end Logan Thomas (hamstring) over the last three-plus games, hauling in 17 of 26 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. After logging a limited session himself Wednesday, Seals-Jones' ability to complete a full practice one day later puts him in a position to continue receiving spot starts for Thomas.

Engram (undisclosed) practiced Thursday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end didn't take the practice field Wednesday, so his participation in Thursday's session suggests that he's trending in the right direction in advance of Monday night's game against Kansas City. The Giants' upcoming injury report will reveal Engram's participation level, but he'll presumably need to practice fully by the end of the week in order to avoid a Week 8 injury designation.

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.