NFL Player News

Johnson reverted to New Orleans' practice squad Monday after recording one catch for five yards during Sunday's 26-23 overtime win against the Bears, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Johnson's workload was certainly encouraging, as the 24-year-old led all Saints skill-position players in fielding 64 of 74 offensive snaps. His three targets were also tied for fourth most on the team, but New Orleans may be getting some of its perimeter weapons back this week in a road trip to Tampa Bay -- most notably, Michael Thomas (hamstring), who has potential to make his first appearance since the season opener after logging limited practice sessions Thursday and Friday of last week.

Sternberger caught three passes for a career-high 46 yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

One week after scoring the first regular-season touchdown of his career Sternberger set a new career high in single-game receiving yards. He also played a career-high 28 snaps and -- at least for fantasy purposes -- seems to have pulled ahead of Marcedes Lewis in the Packers' tight end hierarchy. While Sternberger is becoming more involved in the offense and the Packers like utilizing multiple tight ends, he remains both a distant second behind Robert Tonyan on the depth chart and a fringe option in most fantasy leagues.

Lewis (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report.

The veteran played his usual blocking-heavy role during Sunday's loss to the Vikings and didn't receive a target, though he uncharacteristically was charged with a pair of holding penalties. Lewis has been bothered by the knee issue for much of the season but so far has only missed the Week 4 matchup with Atlanta.

Alie-Cox (knee) caught three of four targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 41-21 win over the Lions.

Alie-Cox led Colts tight ends in receiving yards but was kept out of the end zone while both Jack Doyle and Trey Burton found pay dirt, giving Doyle and Burton a combined five touchdowns in the past two weeks. Even though he was the most productive of the three tight ends when healthy earlier this season, Alie-Cox will have a hard time carving out value in the Colts' three-man tight end rotation if he plays second fiddle in the red zone.

Kittle is expected to miss eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The timeline would have Kittle returning for a Week 17 matchup against the Cardinals, and that's only if the recovery progresses as planned. With injuries ravaging the 49ers' top skill players at every position, the team may not be in playoff contention at that point, in which case Kittle likely wouldn't return to action. Kittle is expected to be placed on injured reserve soon. Ross Dwelley tops the tight end pecking order for now, but Jordan Reed (knee) could return from IR for Thursday's game versus the Packers.

Dwelley could have an increased role in the offense with George Kittle (foot) expected to be out for eight weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kittle suffered a broken bone in his foot during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and could be out for the rest of the season. After Kittle's exit, Dwelley caught a 16-yard touchdown, and he also had five catches for 54 yards during Kittle's two-game absence earlier this year. However, Jordan Reed (knee) worked as the primary tight end before going down with his own injury. Reed is back at practice and could be on the field for Week 9, but if he's not ready to go Dwelley should operate as San Francisco's top tight end.

Kittle suffered a small fracture in his foot during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and is expected to miss substantial time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While the initial diagnosis didn't reveal anything broken in Kittle's ankle, further testing revealed that the superstar tight end picked up a significant foot injury. There's no clear timeline for his return, but his absence furthers the 49ers' injury woes, as Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) is out long term as well. Kittle is a candidate for injured reserve, which would keep him out of the lineup for at least three weeks. Jordan Reed (knee) could return from IR for Thursday's game versus the Packers, and Ross Dwelley should see an uptick in usage as well.

Firkser recorded two receptions on three targets for 36 yards in Week 8 against Cincinnati.

Firkser recorded the majority of his production in the fourth quarter as the team tried to come behind from a deficit. He made catches of 10 and 26 yards on back-to-back plays, helping Tennessee move down the field on a drive that ended with a touchdown. Firkser could be in line for more targets over the middle of the field if Adam Humphries (head) is unable to suit up in Week 9 against Chicago, though Jonnu Smith remains clearly atop the depth chart.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Hooper "will definitely be back" for the Week 10 matchup against Houston, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Hooper has missed the past two games after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, but he's expected to return to practice following the team's Week 9 bye. Barring an unforeseen setback, he'll be given the green light against the Texans. Rookie Harrison Bryant carved out a substantial role during Hooper's absence and produced a 7-81-2 line over two games, but Hooper will operate as the No. 1 tight end upon his return to the lineup. Hooper could see more targets as well because Odell Beckham (torn ACL) is done for the year.

Vannett was diagnosed with a foot bruise after an MRI on Monday and should be able to play Week 9, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

The 27-year-old received the start Sunday with the Broncos starting out in a two-tight end set, but he ended up playing only 11 offensive snaps. Vannett has only five catches for 33 yards in six games this season, so even if available this weekend, he's unlikely to be a significant factor in the passing game.