NFL Player News

The injury Kittle picked up Sunday against the Seahawks has been clarified as a foot injury rather than an ankle injury, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports reports.

The severity of Kittle's injury is still unknown at this time, though he remains questionable to return. The 49ers' chances of coming back from down double digits in the fourth quarter are even slimmer with neither Kittle nor starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) on the field.

Kittle (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kittle limped off the field and into the locker room under his own power early in the fourth quarter. The 49ers host the Packers at home Thursday, and both Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and Tevin Coleman (knee) have also been forced out with injuries, so it's conceivable that the team could be motivated to err on the side of caution regarding the star tight end's health. Kittle had two catches for 39 yards on four targets before leaving Sunday's game.

Waller reeled in five of his six targets for 28 receiving yards during Sunday's 16-6 win against the Browns.

Las Vegas managed just 112 yards and one touchdown through the air during Week 8 as the Raiders took charge on the ground, pounding the rock 45 times for 208 yards. Waller at least still garnered a team high in targets, though his receiving yardage total was his lowest of the year other than a two-catch, nine-yard day against New England in Week 3. An upcoming matchup against the Chargers isn't especially encouraging, as Los Angeles entered its Sunday matchup against Denver allowing the sixth-lowest reception total (26) to opposing tight ends.

Higbee (hand) brought in two of four targets for 14 yards in the Rams' 28-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Higbee made his return from a one-game absence due to a hand contusion, but he didn't stand out in a loss that was more lopsided than the final score implies. Outside of a spectacular three-touchdown day in Week 2 against the Eagles, Higbee hasn't done much of note through the first half of his season, topping out at the five catches and 54 yards he posted in that contest in terms of single-game highs. He'll look to utilize the bye week to further recover before a key Week 10 matchup against the Seahawks.

Hockenson caught seven of 10 targets for 65 yards during Sunday's 41-21 loss to the Colts.

Hockenson saw the second-most targets of his young career in a game in which he served as a quality safety valve for quarterback Matthew Stafford. While the exit of top receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) likely had something to do with his increased workload, Hockenson has been a steady contributor all season and drawing double-digit targets is certainly within his range of outcomes even on days when Golladay stays healthy. Regardless of Golladay's health, Hockenson should remain a solid option at a thin fantasy position when Detroit takes on a poor Vikings defense in Week 9.

Tonyan caught five of seven targets for a game-high 79 yards in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Vikings.

While Davante Adams saw more volume (12 targets) for Green Bay, Tonyan ended up with more yards thanks largely to a 45-yard grab in the third quarter. Adams, however, caught all three of Aaron Rodgers' TD passes, reinforcing who the top dog in the Packers' passing game is. Tonyan's seven targets were still a season high for the third-year tight end, and he should remain a crucial part of the Packers' offense in Week 9 against the 49ers.

Kelce caught eight of 12 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-9 win over the Jets.

Kelce's three-yard touchdown put the Chiefs up 21-9 with 58 seconds left in the first half, and he led the Chiefs in targets, catches and receiving yards as Patrick Mahomes piled up 416 yards and five touchdowns through the air. The league's most dependable receiving option at the tight end position has 48 catches for 610 yards and six touchdowns through eight games, putting Kelce on pace to eclipse 1,200 receiving yards for a third consecutive season. He'll face the Panthers in Week 9.

Keene (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

With Devin Asiasi (personal) also unavailable Sunday, the Patriots' Week 8 tight end duties will be handled by Ryan Izzo.

Alie-Cox (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Though Alie-Cox's availability came down to a pregame workout, the Colts were evidently pleased enough with the health of his knee to clear him to rejoin the lineup. Since erupting for a five-catch, 111-yard performance Week 2, Alie-Cox has been limited to four receptions for 63 yards in his most recent three outings combined. He'll likely be limited to a bit role in the Colts' passing game with both Trey Burton and Jack Doyle seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order for reps at tight end.

Higbee (hand) is listed as active Sunday in Miami, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Despite his hand injury described as a "pretty gnarly" contusion, Higbee will miss just one game as a result. While he may play second fiddle to fellow TE Gerald Everett, Higbee will look to produce against a Dolphins defense that has allowed just 6.6 YPT and no touchdowns to the position this season.