NFL Player News

Firkser was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday with a knee injury, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Firkser exited practice early Wednesday, so his status will need to be monitored as Sunday's game against the Seahawks approaches. The tight end logged three catches on four targets for 19 yards in the Titans' season-opening loss to Arizona.

Brown missed Wednesday's practice with shoulder and ankle injuries.

An earlier report identified an unspecified upper-body injury as the likely reason for Brown's absence on the heels of his surprising 4-67-1 receiving line on five targets and a 76 percent snap share in the Texans' 37-21 win over Jacksonville in Week 1. He appears to have suffered the injury at the tail end of the game, considering Brown played 11 of 17 snaps in the fourth quarter. An absence for Week 2 at Cleveland would leave more work available for Jordan Akins and Brevin Jordan, though the Texans may also look to add a blocking tight end to the roster. Brown was widely expected to focus on blocking this year, with Akins the likely replacement for third downs and hurry-up scenarios.

Ertz (hamstring/rest) didn't practice Wednesday.

Among starters on offense, Ertz, running back Miles Sanders (ankle/rest, limited) and right guard Brandon Brooks (knee/rest, no practice) were listed with an injury and "rest" next to their names. The designation is likely a good sign for Ertz after he was unable to take part in stretching before Wednesday's session, but his status will be one to watch as the week goes on. In Sunday's season opener in Atlanta, he missed some time due to a hamstring issue but was able to finish out the game with two catches (on two targets) for 34 yards.

Firkser left practice early Wednesday, likely due to an unspecified injury, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

The tight end may be banged up on the heels of a quiet Week 1 in which he produced three receptions for 19 yards on four targets. Firkser played only 48 percent of offensive snaps, despite being the primary pass-catching tight end for a team that was trailing the Cardinals for multiple scores all afternoon. An absence for Week 2 against Seattle would leave more work for fellow tight ends Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt, though both are blockers more so than pass-catching threats.

Ertz (hamstring) didn't take part in the Eagles' team stretch prior to Wednesday's practice, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ertz left Sunday's opener in Atlanta for a spell due to a hamstring injury but was able to return, finishing the game with two catches (on two targets) for 34 yards. Head coach Nick Sirianni relayed Monday that Ertz was receiving treatment for the injury, and the tight end look poised to go down as a non-participant for the first practice of Week 2.

Brown is absent from Wednesday's practice after suffering an unspecified injury during Sunday's 37-21 win over the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Brown is believed to be dealing an upper-body injury that he must have sustained near the end of the game. He was one of many surprise stars in Houston's Week 1 triumph, catching four of five targets for 67 yards on a 76 percent snap share. He isn't likely to play that many snaps in games where the Texans throw the ball more often, but Brown at least appears to have forced a timeshare with the receiving-focused Jordan Akins. An absence for Week 2 at Cleveland would leave more snaps for Akins and rookie Brevin Jordan, but the Texans might also sign another blocking tight end to replace Brown.

Engram (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at Washington, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Engram has been a non-participant in every practice through two weeks, and he's no lock to be ready when the Giants start preparing for their Week 3 game Sept. 26 against the Falcons. With Engram out of the lineup Week 1, replacement starter Kaden Smith went without a target and held down a 48-percent snap share, while Kyle Rudolph technically came off the bench but finished with five targets and 77 percent of snaps.

Swaim played 25 offensive snaps and saw one target during Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Anthony Firkser led all Tennessee tight ends with 31 snaps, but Swaim wasn't far behind and significantly outpaced MyCole Pruitt's 12 snaps. The Titans struggled keeping Ryan Tannehill upright in Week 1, so Firkser and Swaim may see more action together as they try to shore up their protection schemes.

Smith failed to record a target in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Broncos.

With starting tight end Evan Engram (calf) sidelined in Week 1, Smith and veteran Kyle Rudolph operated as the team's two top tight ends. Smith played on 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps, which was well behind Rudolph's 77 percent snap percentage. The third-year veteran Smith was not involved in the passing game, and Engram's eventual return will only complicate his outlook further. Even if Engram is sidelined again in Week 2, Smith remains well off the fantasy radar in a difficult matchup against the formidable Washington defense.

Wells was cut from the Falcons' practice squad Tuesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Wells spent time this preseason with both the Patriots and Falcons, though couldn't make the roster of either team. He'll now be in search of his next opportunity to land on an active roster.