NFL Player News

Carlson (groin) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Chiefs, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Carlson appears truly iffy for Sunday's game, but his presence likely won't impact Cleveland's offense one way or another. He saw just two targets through 16 regular-season games in 2020, and both Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant are set for Sunday while No.3 tight end David Njoku (hamstring) is questionable.

Njoku (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against Kansas City, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who logged back-to-back DNPs Wednesday and Thursday, returned to a limited session Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. However, with Austin Hooper clearly the Browns' top pass-catching tight end and Harrison Bryant also in the mix, Njoku isn't a high-percentage fantasy option these days.

Conklin completed the 2020 campaign catching 19 of his 26 targets for 194 yards and one touchdown.

In his third season with the Vikings, the 2018 fifth-round pick had career highs in receptions and yards. The tight end also scored his first NFL touchdown and began to show his ability as a pass catcher toward the end of the regular season after No. 2 tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) landed on IR. With Rudolph under contract through 2023 and 2019 second-rounder Irv Smith ahead of him on the depth chart, Conklin will have difficulty being a regular in Minnesota's offense as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

Fumagalli caught eight of 15 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in eight games during the 2020 season.

Fumagalli -- who entered the league as a fifth-round pick by Denver in 2018 -- returned to his original team following a stint with the Texans practice quad, after a rash of injuries hit the Broncos' tight-end room. He showed some flashes, including a four-catch outing against Carolina. Injuries derailed Fumagalli's first go-around in Denver, but -- depending on what the team does in the offseason -- he might be worth bringing back as a TE3 behind Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam in 2021.

Vannett brought in 14 passes of 21 targets for 95 yards and a score in 15 games during the 2020 campaign.

Vannett stepped up a bit following the season-ending knee injury to fellow tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. The 27-year-old had three of his four multi-catch games during the final six contests of the season, including a four reception outing in Week 13 against Carolina. He did well in providing QB Drew Lock with a safety blanket underneath. The question heading into 2021 is whether that's worth $3.6 million against the cap when cutting him would cost just $875,000. Vannett is a strong blocker and a solid veteran presence, but he might be squeezed out with returning youngsters Noah Fant, Andrew Beck and Okwuegbunam.

Okwuegbunam (knee) caught 11 of 15 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown during the 2020 season. 

Okwuegbunam quickly renewed his chemistry with former Mizzou teammate Drew Lock. The rookie was targeted six times in his debut in Week 5 against New England and then caught all seven of his targets against Kansas City in Week 7. He nabbed an acrobatic, game-turning touchdown in the comeback win over the Chargers before tearing his ACL in Week 9 at Atlanta. Okwuegbunam is an enticing weapon with true 4.5 speed at 260 pounds. With a full offseason ahead of him, he could be a tantalizing TE2 to pair with Noah Fant depending on what the Broncos do with veteran Nick Vannett in the offseason.

The Steelers signed Rader to a reserve/future contract Thursday.

Rader appeared in two games with the Steelers this season, Week 17 and last weekend's wild-card loss to the Browns. The tight end out of Youngstown State will now get an opportunity to continue his development with the organization.

Lewis (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Lewis saw his practice reps capped due to a lingering knee injury this week, but it never appeared as though his availability for Saturday's game was in much real danger. He stands to handle his usual role behind top tight end Robert Tonyan versus Los Angeles.

Hill (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Hill missed a second straight practice, as did RB Latavius Murray (quad). The Saints should be alright without one or both of them, but it's definitely an interesting situation for fantasy purposes, impacting he outlooks for Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees and the New Orleans pass catchers. Including last week's playoff game, Hill has 18 carries, six targets and three TDs in four appearances since Drew Brees returned from IR.

Njoku (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Back-to-back absences suggest the tight end is in some danger of missing Sunday's game at Kansas City. It wouldn't be too big a loss for the Cleveland offense, as Njoku played only 31 percent of snaps in the team's wild-card win over Pittsburgh, catching one pass for seven yards. Austin Hooper logged 90 percent of snaps and a team-high 11 targets, while rookie Harrison Bryant got 33 percent of snaps and zero targets. Bryant would be the favorite to pick up most of Njoku's vacated snaps.