NFL Player News

Kittle secured five of eight targets for 79 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 34-31 win over the Rams on Saturday.

The Rams managed to do a good job on Kittle in the first half, but the star tight end made plenty of noise after halftime. Kittle ultimately paced the 49ers in receptions, receiving yardage and targets, and his seven-yard touchdown grab just past the halfway point of the fourth quarter erased a 28-24 deficit for San Francisco at the time. Kittle has four touchdown receptions in the last six games -- as well as a three-game streak of at least eight targets -- and he'll look to make an impact once again in a pivotal Week 17 NFC West showdown against the Seahawks.

Graham (wrist/groin) doesn't carry an injury designation for Monday night's game against the Vikings.

Graham -- who has caught 33 passes for 382 yards and three TDs in 14 games to date -- hasn't missed a regular-season tilt since 2015, but a lack of consistent volume has hindered his fantasy impact this year. He's been held to one catch in three of his last four contests and remains a speculative lineup option in Week 16.

Graham (wrist/groin) remained limited Friday at practice.

Graham rarely leaves the injury report but hasn't missed a game since 2015. His lack of volume is the real concern for fantasy managers, with the veteran tight end drawing five or fewer targets in each of the Packers' past 10 games. Graham should be fine for Monday's game in Minnesota.

Vannett (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Vannett was unable to practice Thursday due to the illness, but it won't impact his status for this weekend. The 26-year-old is coming off his best game of the season after catching five of six targets for 40 yards during last week's loss to the Bills.

Fant (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Fant missed some time during the Broncos' Week 15 loss at Kansas City with a right shoulder injury. Afterward, X-rays were returned negative, and coach Vic Fangio told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic that Fant "should be fine." Fant maintained limited practices throughout the week, but with a 'questionable' tag for Sunday, his status for Week 16 won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that Njoku has "responded well" after being a healthy scratch Week 15, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Both Monken and head coach Freddie Kitchens acknowledged Njoku's improved attitude, but neither coach discussed the tight end's status for Sunday's home meeting with the 12-2 Ravens. Njoku had a promising start to the season with a touchdown, four catches and six targets in the season opener before sustaining a Week 2 injury that forced him to miss 11 games.

Fant (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Though Fant's reps were capped for a second day in a row, the Broncos are optimistic he'll be ready to play when Sunday's game against the Lions rolls around. Ideally, Fant would eliminate ambiguity about his status by practicing fully Friday, a development that would likely allow him to enter the weekend without an injury designation. Fant ranks second among all qualified tight ends this season with 14.8 yards per reception, but his relatively low volume -- he's only exceeded five targets twice in 14 games -- makes him a rather boom-or-bust fantasy option.

Everett (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's contest at San Francisco, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio reports.

When Everett was absent Weeks 13 through 15, he didn't step foot on the practice field at all, instead focusing on rehab of his knee injury. On this occasion, he was limited Tuesday before wrapping up the week with back-to-back uncapped sessions. After Thursday's practice, coach Sean McVay said the tight "will be OK to go" this weekend, but it remains to be seen what kind of role he'll be afforded. The primary sticking point is the presence of Tyler Higbee, who notched at least seven catches for 100-plus yards in each of the contests with unfettered access to TE reps.

Graham (wrist/groin) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Such is Graham's routine at this point in the season. The limitations haven't exactly helped him produce on game day, as he's surpassed 50 receiving yards just three times while scoring three TDs across 14 contests. In Week 15, Graham even ranked behind fellow veteran Marcedes Lewis in terms of offensive snap share (42 versus 54 percent). Consequently, Graham is a far cry from the fantasy star that roamed the field for the Saints and Seahawks earlier in the decade.

Vannett (illness) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The severity of Vannett's ailment isn't known, but if he's able to return to practice Friday, there won't be much concern about his status for Sunday's game against the Jets. After playing 92 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps and catching five of six targets for 40 yards in last week's loss to the Bills, Vannett will likely see his role get downsized Sunday with top tight end Vance McDonald (concussion) tracking toward a return. McDonald remains in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Thursday, but he practiced fully for a second straight day to begin Week 16 prep.