NFL Player News

Smith (knee) was limited in practice Friday but expects to play Sunday against the Raiders, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Smith has been dealing with an aggravated knee injury since before Week 7. While the tight end was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, the 24-year-old is expected to play Sunday against the Raiders. With Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram both healthy and above Smith on the depth chart, it's likely that Smith will fill a depth role at tight end.

Kroft sustained a lung laceration in Thursday's loss to the Colts and is expected to miss multiple weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

New York expects Kroft to return this season, but he'll presumably be moved to injured reserve next week, meaning that he'll be forced to sit out at least three games. With Kroft out of the mix, Ryan Griffin -- who logged a 4-28-1 stat line on seven targets Thursday -- and Trevon Wesco (two catches for 16 yards) will serve as the Jets' top two options at tight end.

Sweeney is expected to make a second straight start Sunday against the Jaguars after head coach Sean McDermott ruled out No. 1 tight end Dawson Knox (hand) for the contest, Chris Jenkins of the Bills' official site reports.

Sweeney was the primary replacement for Knox in last week's 26-11 win over the Dolphins, finishing the day with a 3-30-0 receiving line on four targets. Though his statistics weren't anything special, Sweeney's underlying usage last week could make him an intriguing sleeper at tight end in season-long leagues or DFS contests in a favorable matchup against the 1-6 Jaguars. He was on the field for 80 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps Week 8, ran routes on 77 percent of the Bills' passing plays, and drew three of his four targets in the red zone.

Bryant (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Bryant was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant, and his status for Sunday's contest remains up in the air. The 23-year-old caught two passes for 33 yards last week, which was his first multi-reception effort since Week 2 as he continues to work as Cleveland's No. 3 tight end.

Wesco caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Thursday's 45-30 loss to the Colts.

Wesco worked his way onto the field in sets that called for two tight ends after Tyler Kroft exited due to a chest injury. This was the first multi-catch performance of the 2019 fourth-round pick's career.

Coach Sean McDermott said Knox (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Knox is recovering from surgery on his hand and will be sidelined for the second consecutive game. Tommy Sweeney, who caught three passes for 30 yards Week 8, is poised to lead Buffalo's group of tight ends again Sunday versus the Jaguars.

Kroft has been ruled out of the remainder of Thursday's game against the Colts due to a chest injury.

Kroft made a leaping catch late in the first half but left the game immediately after. There's no indication of what the exact injury is, but he will be sidelined after logging two receptions for 38 yards. Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco will serve as the team's primary tight ends in Kroft's absence.

Hopkins (illness) was able to practice in full Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Hopkins got in a full practice Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday. Hopkins, a converted wide receiver from Purdue, was expected to step into a bigger role in 2021 with Gerald Everett going to Seattle, but he fell behind 2021 fourth-round selection Jacob Harris on the depth chart. Hopkins played in five games in 2020 but was mostly used on special teams and never saw a target. He'll try to push his way up the depth chart and earn a chance to play Sunday against the Titans.

Wesco (knee) is active Thursday against the Colts, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Wesco injured his knee in practice ahead of Week 8 and missed the Jets' game against the Bengals. It was previously reported Wesco was expected to play after logging a full practice Wednesday, so this news doesn't come as a surprise. Wesco will slot in third on the Jets' tight end depth chart behind Tyler Kroft and Ryan Griffin in a mostly blocking role.

Jordan (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Jordan was added to the Texans' Week 9 injury report Thursday, so those in leagues deep enough to consider the rookie tight end will want to see how he's listed Friday. Meanwhile, Pharaoh Brown (thigh) remained sidelined during Thursday's session. Brown's absence in Week 8 paved the way for Jordan to make his regular season-debut in this past Sunday's loss to the Rams, en route to catching three of his four targets for 41 yards and a TD.