NFL Player News

Keene (neck) practiced fully Wednesday.

Keene was limited in practice last Thursday and Friday, eventually getting a questionable designation before being among the Patriots' inactive players for Sunday's win over the Dolphins. With a full session under his belt, the 2020 third-round pick can set his sights on making his professional debut this weekend in Seattle. It'll be interesting to see if Keene can break into a tight-end rotation led by Ryan Izzo and supplemented by Devin Asiasi, assuming he's active.

Everett (back) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

While he got the start Week 1 against the Cowboys, Everett played second fiddle to Tyler Higbee, earning 24 offensive snaps to the latter's 65 (out of 73 total). Everett incurred a back injury in the second half, though, so the breakdown of work is understandable. On Monday, coach Sean McVay didn't consider any of the Rams' health concerns to be serious, but just two days later, Everett was unable to take any reps on the practice field. Everett has two more days to put himself in a position to suit up Sunday at Philadelphia.

Deguara was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a shin injury, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

In his NFL debut Week 1 at Minnesota, Deguara ranked third among Packers tight ends in offensive snaps behind Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, and ahead of Jace Sternberger. In the process, Deguara hauled in one of two targets for 12 yards. This injury could inhibit him some throughout the week, and Friday's injury report will provide a sense of his ability to play Sunday against the Lions.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said that Kittle (knee) won't practice Wednesday, but the tight end remains on track to play Sunday against the Jets, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan also noted that even if Kittle fails to practice all week, he could still suit up against the Jets as long as he gains medical clearance ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. In a related note, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Kittle isn't expected to practice Thursday or Friday either, as the 49ers are evidently inclined to take a cautious approach with their top weapon in the passing game while he battles a sprained left knee. Kittle missed just one snap in Week 1 and finished with four receptions for 44 yards and one carry for nine yards. Assuming Kittle gets the green light to play Week 2, he should remain locked in as a high-end fantasy option at his position.

Saubert was waived by Chicago on Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Saubert was one of five tight ends to originally make the 53-man roster, but he was inactive in Week 1 and is now getting waived by the Bears. Kicker Cairo Santos is taking the roster spot vacated by Saubert.

Moreau did not garner any targets during Sunday's 34-30 win against the Panthers.

Moreau was on the field for 19 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps, but it was tight ends Darren Waller (eight targets) and Jason Witten (one target) who benefitted from action in the passing game. The LSU product attracted multiple targets in nine of his 13 appearances last year, but the arrival of Witten has potential to evaporate Moreau's already-limited role as a pass-catcher.

Smith hauled in both of his targets for 17 receiving yards during Monday's 26-16 loss to the Steelers.

The second-year tight end out of Stanford actually enjoyed more fantasy production in the opener than did Evan Engram, who only came down with two of seven targets for nine yards. Engram is expected to be featured as the clear No. 1 receiving tight end throughout 2020, but Smith has produced himself when granted the opportunity. Across seven career starts, his most recent of which came Monday night against Pittsburgh, Smith has averaged 4.6 catches and 40.6 receiving yards per game. Week 2 presents a matchup against a Bears defense that surrendered five catches, 56 yards and a touchdown to Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson on Sunday.

Brown signed with the Texans' active roster Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans placed Kahale Warring (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday and elevated Brown to the active roster in a corresponding move. Brown played in nine games for the Browns last season and recorded two receptions for 27 yards over 182 offensive snaps.

Firkser recorded two receptions for five yards in the team's Week 1 win over Denver.

Firkser was the primary receiving tight end after Jonnu Smith, as he logged 32 offensive snaps. However, he was only targeted twice, with his longest reception of the contest going for six yards. Firkser lost out on a chance to find the end zone when Ryan Tannehill instead connected with MyCole Pruitt for a one-yard score in the second quarter.

Pruitt hauled in his only target for a one-yard touchdown in Week 1 against Denver.

Pruitt opened the scoring for Tennessee, hauling in his short touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill in the end zone. Despite the early contribution, Pruitt worked as depth among the tight end corps, playing near an equal amount as Anthony Firkser and behind Jonnu Smith. Pruitt worked primarily as a blocker in past seasons, and will again to begin the 2020 campaign.