NFL Player News

Waller (knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Waller played 70 of the Raiders' 74 offensive snaps in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Bills, hauling in nine of his 12 targets for 88 yards. The tight end isn't believed to have suffered any setbacks coming out of that contest, so his limitations Wednesday were likely maintenance-related.

Akins (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Akins was concussed on a helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Harrison Smith in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, which also led to an ejection for Smith. The third-year tight end, who is also dealing with an ankle injury, was coming into his own as Houston's top pass-catcher at his position, but Akins is still dealing with the aftereffects of Smith's hit and seems unlikely to suit up this weekend against the Jaguars. Akins will need to clear the concussion protocol before he can return to the field.

Smythe (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Miami's backup tight end is coming off a solid two-catch, 30-yard performance against the Seahawks in Week 4, but he may have picked up a knee injury along the way in that one. It's also possible that this was just a routine day off, and Smythe's practice participation in the coming days should help us form a better idea of his status for Sunday's trip to San Francisco.

Coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday that Fant (ankle) is a "longshot" to suit up in Sunday's game against the Patriots, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Fangio noted that Fant hasn't yet been officially ruled out for Week 5, but the starting tight end would have to make exceedingly quick progress in practice for any chance at suiting up. Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported that the second-year tight end will be considered week-to-week going forward. Rookie fourth-round pick Albert Okwuegbunam hasn't yet been active this season, but he could get a shot to make his NFL debut versus the Patriots if Fant is indeed sidelined.

The Jets placed Cager (undisclosed) on the practice squad injured list Wednesday.

Cager's placement on the injured list allows the Jets to restore fellow wideout Donte Moncrief (undisclosed) to the practice squad. Coach Adam Gase said he expects Cager to miss multiple weeks.

The Browns designated Njoku (knee) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

The transaction opens up a 21-day window during which the Browns can evaluate Njoku in practice, but he isn't expected to require the full period before Cleveland adds him back to the 53-man roster. Since Njoku has already missed Cleveland's last three games, he'll be eligible to play Sunday against the Colts, assuming his sprained knee responds well to practice. Though Austin Hooper sits atop the Browns' depth chart at tight end, Njoku was more involved in the passing game of the two in his lone appearance Week 1 in Baltimore, hauling in all three of his targets for 50 yards.

Sternberger went untargeted during a 30-16 Monday Night Football win against the Falcons.

Sternberger collected the first, second and third catches of his career Week 3 in a win against the Saints, after failing to record a reception over his first eight NFL appearances. Robert Tonyan had a monstrous night at tight end for the Packers with six receptions, 98 yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta, but Sternberger wasn't able to get in on any of the offensive production this time around. Sternberger remains the No. 2 tight end behind Robert Tonyan heading into Green Bay's Week 5 bye, as Marcedes Lewis (knee) continues to work his way back from injury.

Smith caught his only target for a 10-yard gain during Sunday's 17-9 loss to the Rams.

Smith has seen an average of 25 offensive snaps and two targets per game through the first quarter of the Giants' regular-season slate, but he has yet to register more than 17 receiving yards in a contest and remains without a touchdown on the year. He's the No. 2 pass-catching tight end in an offense that has only mustered 47 points all season and a measly 18 points the past two weeks. New York's Week 5 opponent, Dallas, has struggled to stop anybody this season, including tight ends. The Cowboys rank among the NFL's 10 worst teams in both receptions (26) and receiving yards (257) allowed to the position.

Deguara suffered a torn ACL in Monday's win over the Falcons and has been ruled out for the season, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

It was Deguara's second career NFL game after being selected in the third round of April's draft, and the rookie hasn't had much of a chance to impact the team's offense. He'll focus on rehabbing to return in 2021 at 100 percent. For the time being, Robert Tonyan will continue to lead the team's tight ends while Jace Sternberger and Marcedes Lewis (knee) rotate in.

The Giants signed Tomlinson to the active roster Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Tomlinson was cut by the Giants last Friday and landed on the team's practice squad, but he's being brought back up ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Cowboys. He likely won't be utilized much on offense, however, as Evan Engram, Kaden Smith and Levine Toilolo are all healthy.