NFL Player News

Engram (calf) is practicing again Friday and seems to be on track for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Given that he missed the first two games of the season, Engram likely will be listed as questionable even if the Giants expect him to play. It's still too soon to count on that outcome, considering Engram remained limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday. An upgrade to full participation Friday would create far more confidence about his status for Sunday, with Engram hoping to rejoin the lineup in time for a favorable matchup against a Falcons defense that's given up eight passing TDs already.

Arnold caught two of four targets for 23 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Arnold's only unsuccessful targets came on tight-window throws while taking hits down the seam. Although he's had at least two catches in each game this season, Arnold hasn't enjoyed his signature performance as a Panther yet. In fact, he still played fewer snaps Thursday than fellow tight end Ian Thomas, and rookie Tommy Tremble actually performed the best of the group, finishing with 37 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Carolina's depth at the position has hurt Arnold's upside, but he'll nonetheless strive to remain involved as a pass catcher in Week 4 versus the Cowboys.

Tremble caught his only target for 30 yards and rushed for a seven-yard touchdown in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Tremble took a jet sweep into the end zone in the third quarter, marking the first touchdown of his young career. The rookie third-rounder then got free on a play-action wheel route, setting Carolina up for a field goal. Although he still trailed fellow tight ends Ian Thomas and Dan Arnold in snaps, Tremble's impact Thursday could earn him more run in Week 4's matchup against the Cowboys.

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.