NFL Player News

Lewis (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Vikings, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lewis sandwiched Thursday's missed practice between limited sessions Wednesday and Friday, but he's apparently feeling healthy enough to suit up Sunday. The veteran tight end is poised to share reps with Jace Sternberger behind Robert Tonyan, who has emerged as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite target at the position.

Keene (knee) is questionable for Sunday's contest in Buffalo.

Keene was added to Friday's practice report with a knee issue, a hint that his injury may have been sustained during weekly practices. The rookie third-round pick played 24 of 52 offensive snaps during his pro debut Week 7, in which he caught his only target for eight yards. Keene isn't yet on the radar for fantasy production, but New England's offense is in dire need of a boost, so it'll be worth monitoring what the young tight end does with his opportunities if he's able to play against Buffalo.

Alie-Cox (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Alie-Cox hasn't suited up since Week 5 in Cleveland, but it looks like he has a fair shot to take the field against Detroit. With fellow tight ends Jack Doyle and Trey Burton both healthy, Alie-Cox could be relegated to a limited role even if he does manage to play Sunday.

Bryant is set to reprise his role as Cleveland's top tight end Sunday against the Raiders, as Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram reports that Austin Hooper (appendix) has been ruled out.

Bryant scored two touchdowns in Hooper's first absence of the season last week against the Bengals, and he once again figures to serve as an important piece of a Cleveland passing attack that will be missing wide receiver Odell Beckham (knee) in addition to Hooper. Fellow tight end David Njoku, who also found the end zone last week, should also see the field more as a result of Hooper's absence.

Hooper (appendix) won't play Sunday against the Raiders, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hooper underwent an appendectomy last Friday, so it's not surprising that he's slated to miss his second straight game. The Browns are on bye Week 9, so Hooper seems to have a good shot to return to action for the team's Nov. 15 contest against the Texans. In his continued absence, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku will head the Browns' Week 8 tight end corps.

Hurst brought in five of seven targets for 54 yards in the Falcons' 25-17 win over the Panthers on Thursday night.

The third-year pro continued to churn out solid numbers Thursday, enjoying an expanded role with Calvin Ridley exiting the game in the second quarter due to an ankle injury. Hurst checked in second to Julio Jones in receptions, receiving yards and targets, and he now has at least Thursday's 54 receiving yards in three straight games, his best stretch of play yet during his first season with Atlanta. Hurst also exactly matched his 2019 totals of 30 receptions and 349 yards in Baltimore with Thursday's production, leaving him poised to establish new career bests in both categories in a Week 9 home interconference affair against the Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Everett (illness) practiced fully Thursday, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

A day removed from missing practice due to illness, Everett was back in the saddle Thursday and even handled every rep. Meanwhile, position mate Tyler Higbee remained limited by a hand contusion, which sidelined him this past Monday against the Bears. If Higbee doesn't gain clearance to play Sunday in Miami, Everett again will be in line to be the Rams' primary TE after going for a 4-28-1 line on five targets Week 7.

Higbee (hand) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Higbee has strung together back-to-back limited sessions, with Thursday's showing coinciding with the Rams' most rigorous workout of the week, per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com. On Wednesday, coach Sean McVay referred to Higbee's hand injury as "a pretty gnarly hand contusion," so it remains to be seen if he'll be able to cap his time away from the field to just one game. Elsewhere in the TE room, Gerald Everett (illness) followed up Wednesday's DNP with a full practice Thursday, giving the Rams at least one of their top two tight ends for Sunday's contest at Miami.

Fant (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Just like last week, Fant opened Week 8 as a limited participant Wednesday before upgrading to full activity a day later. Now that he's further removed from the sprained ankle he sustained Oct. 1, Fant will look to deliver better results Sunday against the Chargers after the Chiefs limited him to three receptions for 38 yards in his return from a one-game absence last week. Fant still played 70 percent of the offensive snaps in that contest, and he should see a slight uptick in work moving forward after playing no fewer than 73 percent of the snaps in any of the Broncos' first three games.

Kmet (back) practiced in full Thursday.

Kmet has consistently played around 30 percent of the snaps on offense each week this season, but the rookie second-rounder only recently has been making an impact in the box score, gathering in all four targets for 65 yards and a TD over the last two games. He kicked off this week with a limited showing Wednesday but bucked the back injury on the second Week 8 practice report. While he'll continue to play second fiddle to starting TE Jimmy Graham, Kmet seems to be developing a rapport with starting quarterback Nick Foles.