NFL Player News

Smith (knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Smith has earned an elevated workload in the Giants' first two games of the campaign with Evan Engram (calf) sidelined, seeing a 44.6-percent share of the snaps on offense. But Smith has been targeted just two times on his way to two catches for 24 yards. With Engram returning to the practice field Wednesday as limited himself, Smith will revert to a much smaller snap count if the former is cleared for his season debut. In that event, Kyle Rudolph would serve as the No. 2 TE behind Engram.

Sternberger went unclaimed on waivers Wednesday and is now a free agent, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Sternberger has concluded his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, making him eligible to suit up for game action as soon as he finds a new home in the league. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Packers will attempt to re-sign Sternberger to their practice squad, but the 2019 third-round pick could still end up finding an opportunity on a 53-man roster with another club.

Firkser (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Firkser was a limited participant last Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out entirely Friday. He then missed Tennessee's win over Seattle, with his usual snaps at tight end being split between Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt. The absence Wednesday suggests Firsker could miss another game this Sunday against the Colts.

Engram (calf) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram got back on the practice field this week, managing showings both Monday and Wednesday. In the first session, he was the second tight end in drills, while he bumped up to No. 1 in the second one, per Tom Rock of Newsday. Clearly, Engram is trending in the right direction to make his season debut Sunday against the Falcons, but there's a chance a decision on his availability comes down to the wire.

Fant was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Fant has drawn 14 targets on a 77 percent snap share through two games, catching 10 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. A limited practice to begin Week 3 prep should put him on track to play against the Jets on Sunday, though Denver has a promising backup tight end in Albert Okwuegbunam.

Engram (calf) took part in practice Wednesday, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Since missing his second game in a row to begin the campaign last Thursday, Engram has been a participant in back-to-back sessions. On Monday, he was the second tight end in drills, while he bumped up to his typical No. 1 spot Wednesday. If the preceding is any indication, he's setting himself up for his season debut Sunday against the Falcons.

Uzomah secured both of his targets for four yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bears.

Uzomah played 73 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps in Week 2, but the tight end has not been a big part of the game plan so far this season. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder is operating as the team's No. 1 tight end, as his teammate Drew Sample only played 38 percent of Cincinnati's offensive snaps without being targeted, but both have mainly been used as blockers. Uzomah will be hard to trust in fantasy lineups this season given a crowded group of pass catchers on the field for the Bengals including Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase.

Higbee caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Colts.

Higbee got shut down while Cooper Kupp stole the show with a 9-163-2 line. Matthew Stafford has certainly elevated this offense, so Higbee has some weekly upside as he showed in Week 1 with five receptions for 58 yards. The Rams will go back home for a Week 3 matchup against the Buccaneers, who have given up 16 catches for 144 yards and no touchdowns to tight ends through two games.

Graham played 21 offensive snaps and was held without a target during Sunday's 20-17 win over the Bengals.

Graham saw his snap total increase from 14 to 21 in Week 2, but he was still held without a target. Graham's fantasy value has dwindled down to him being a touchdown-dependent streaming option as Cole Kmet has taken over the starting tight end duties in Chicago.

The Browns signed Forristall to the practice squad Tuesday, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Forristall spent time with the Titans during the offseason. The undrafted rookie out of Alabama will now get a chance to continue his development in Cleveland.