NFL Player News

Akins brought in four of five targets for 32 yards in the Texans' 24-9 loss to the Panthers on Thursday night.

The fourth-year tight end came into the game with just one reception for 17 yards through the first pair of contests, but Akins end up tied for second in catches with Anthony Miller on the Texans for the night. The Central Florida product was a safety valve for rookie quarterback Davis Mills, and given that the third-round pick is likely to continue operating a more conservative offense than veteran Tyrod Taylor (IR-hamstring) would, Akins could be busy again in a Week 4 road matchup against the Bills on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Dafney (hip) was added to Thursday's injury report as a limited participant, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The development may indicate Dafney suffered an injury in practice, but the Packers nonetheless have two tight ends with unknown statuses. Josiah Deguara (concussion) is the other, leaving just Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis as healthy options at the position.

Deguara (concussion) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Deguara remained limited as he recovers from the concussion that he sustained Week 1. It's unclear exactly where he stands in his quest through the protocol for head injuries, but he seems destined to enter the weekend with a questionable designation for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Meanwhile, Dominique Dafney (hip) joined Deguara as a limited participant Thursday, leaving just two healthy tight ends (Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis) on the active roster.

Smith (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

For the third week in a row, Smith is appearing on the Giants' injury report with a knee issue, but the Giants haven't suggested his availability for Sunday's game against the Falcons is in any jeopardy. That said, even if Smith suits up, he could be headed for a smaller role on offense if top tight end Evan Engram (calf) -- who practiced on a limited basis Thursday -- is able to make his season debut. Smith has served as the No. 2 tight end though New York's first two games, logging 44 and 45 percent snap shares in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while catching two balls for 24 yards between those contests.

Engram (calf) was limited at practice Thursday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Engram has ramped up his activity level this week as he prepares for his potential season debut, logging capped sessions to date. He even served as the No. 1 tight end during drills Wednesday, implying the Giants are getting close to clearing him for game action. Friday's injury report could give some insight into whether Engram's return to play is near.

Firkser (knee) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice and is slated to go down as a non-participant on the Titans' report, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

Even though he was inactive for last week's win over the Seahawks, Firkser has seemingly taken a step back in his recovery from the knee injury. He was able to practice in a limited fashion last Wednesday and Thursday, but he's now sat out each of the Titans' subsequent three sessions. At this stage, Firkser looks unlikely to show enough improvement to suit up this weekend against the Colts, but the Titans will make an official ruling on his status with the release of Friday's injury report. Expect Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt to split work at tight end if Firkser is out for another game.

Ricci has been active for both of the Panthers' first two games of the season, logging no targets across 27 total offensive snaps.

As the lack of targets illustrate, Ricci, a second-year player out of Western Michigan, has been deployed mainly as a blocker at tight end or out of the backfield over his limited work on offense. The 24-year-old looks like a core special-teams player at this stage, as he's played 39 snaps between the Panthers' coverage and returns units. Ricci isn't entirely devoid of pass-catching upside -- he hauled in 51 balls for 642 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season of college in 2019 -- but it'll take multiple injuries at tight end before he takes on any sort of meaningful role on offense.

Fant (ankle) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

For the second day in a row, Fant will have his reps capped while he manages an ankle injury, but the Broncos have yet to suggest the issue is anything that will prevent him from playing Sunday against the Jets. Ideally, Fant will upgrade to full participation in practice Friday, which should clear the way for him to enter the weekend without an injury designation.

Deguara (concussion) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Deguara missed Monday's win over the Lions after suffering a concussion in the season opener, but his return to practice Wednesday indicates he's progressing in his recovery. The 24-year-old will need to fully clear the concussion protocol to have a chance of suiting up this weekend at San Francisco.

Sternberger was signed to the Seahawks' practice squad Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The 2019 third-round pick passed through waivers unclaimed after being let go by the Packers on Tuesday, but he found a new home with the Seahawks. Sternberger caught 12 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown in 12 games during 2020, and he was suspended for the first two games of this season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.