NFL Player News

Ertz (hamstring) returned to Sunday's game against the Falcons, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ertz briefly left the contest with the hamstring injury, but it was not serious enough to bring an early end to his day.

Ertz injured his hamstring in Sunday's game against the Falcons and is questionable to return, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Ertz's injury does not seem overly serious, but it does leave his status uncertain for the rest of the Eagles' season opener.

Jordan is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

With Jordan's regular-season debut on hold, Jordan Akins and Pharaoh Brown are in line to head Houston's tight end corps Sunday, with Antony Auclair also on hand.

Sample enters the season behind C.J. Uzomah on the Bengals' initial depth chart.

Last season in the only game in which Uzomah was healthy, Sample saw action on 24 offensive snaps and received just one target. The Bengals run with an "11" formation as much as anyone in the NFL, so it's possible that Sample's workload will mirror what happened in Week 1 last season more than the workload he received after Uzomah got hurt.

Pruitt was elevated from the Titans' practice squad ahead of Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Cardinals, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

Pruitt joined the Titans' practice squad after he was cut by the 49ers at the end of August. He'll join the active roster to provide depth at tight end in the season opener since Tommy Hudson (toe) has been ruled out.

Hudson (toe) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Cardinals, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Hudson was limited in practice and was initially considered questionable, but he'll be unable to suit up in the season opener. It's not yet clear whether the tight end will return for the Week 2 contest against Seattle on Sept. 19.

Brown was named the starter at tight end for Sunday's season opener against the Jaguars, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans are expected to use all three of their tight ends, but Brown is considered the best blocker of the bunch. As the plan is to establish a ground game and rely heavily on it, Brown gets the starting nod over Jordan Akins and rookie Brevin Jordan. At 6-foot-6, the 258-pound Brown could be a helpful target in the red zone, an area the Texans would like to improve upon in 2021.

Daniels (toe) was a full participant in practice Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Daniels returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list in mid-August but was limited in practice due to a toe injury Wednesday and Thursday. However, the 26-year-old will be able to suit up in Sunday's season opener as he prepares to compete for snaps alongside Maxx Williams.

Smith and fellow newcomer Hunter Henry, who both dealt with minor injuries during the preseason, approach Week 1 healthy and poised to form a one-two combo at tight end for the Patriots, Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe reports.

Though the Patriots also added wideouts Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency, the team's aggressive pursuit of Smith and Henry, as well as their lucrative contract terms, point to the the team rolling out plenty of two-TE sets in an offense now helmed by QB Mac Jones. From a fantasy perspective, both players should have their share of productive outings, but the presence of another talented pass catcher like Henry could end up cutting into Smith's weekly ceiling.

Hudson (toe) is listed as questionable for the season opener after being limited at practice Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Hudson was added to the team's injury report Thursday, but it was a good sign that he was able to at least get some work in Friday. Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser are likely to operate as the Titans' primary tight ends during the 2021 campaign.