NFL Player News

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.

Smith (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Broncos, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Both Smith and veteran TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) were limited in practice this week, only to be cleared for Week 1 action. Meanwhile, Evan Engram, the team's No. 1 at the position, won't be out there due to a calf injury. As a result, Rudolph and Smith will be the Giants' primary tight ends Sunday, with the potential for one of Ryan Izzo, Chris Myarick or Jake Hausmann to be elevated from the practice squad.

Engram (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Denver, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

With no practice participation this week, Engram seems unlikely to make it back for a Thursday game against Washington in Week 2. There is some good news for the G-Men, however, with fellow tight ends Kyle Rudolph (foot) and Kaden Smith (knee) both cleared to play Sunday. They're the only healthy tight ends on the roster, but New York does carry two fullbacks (Elijhaa Penny, Cullen Gillaspia) and also has a first-round pick (Kadarius Toney) in the No. 4 WR role.

Engram (calf) participated in individual drills during Friday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

At this stage, it's generally expected that Engram won't be available for Week 1 action, but it's possible that he could progress enough in the coming days to have a chance to suit up for the Giants' second game, next Thursday against Washington.

Schultz secured all six of his targets for 45 yards in the Cowboys' 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

The sure-handed tight end turned in an efficient performance that saw him slot in third in receptions and receiving yards on the Cowboys behind the prolific wideout duo of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. Position mate Blake Jarwin was active and turned in three grabs of his own in his first regular-season action since tearing his ACL against the Rams in the 2020 season opener, but if Thursday is any indication, Schultz still will retain a solid role in an offense that could tilt toward the pass in quite a few games.

Fant (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

With that, Fant is slated to be ready to play against the Giants in Sunday's season opener, with Teddy Bridgewater getting the start at QB for Denver. Fant, along with top wideouts Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, thus is in line to be a key weapon in the Broncos' passing attack out of the gate this season. In that context, an uptick from Fant's 62-673-3 stat line (in 15 games) from last year seems plausible in 2021.