NFL Player News

Taylor (quadriceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Taylor wasn't included on the Jets' initial Week 8 injury report released Wednesday, but he then sat out Thursday's practice due to the quad issue before returning to the field Friday as a limited participant. The rookie appears to have made enough progress since Friday's session to give it a go Sunday, though it's possible that the Jets monitor his snaps closely if he's operating at less than 100 percent. Whenever he's on the field for passing downs, Taylor will likely rank as one of the top targets for quarterback Justin Fields, especially with No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) slated to miss a second straight game.

Njoku (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

After being inactive for the Browns' Week 7 win over the Dolphins, Njoku logged limited practices Wednesday through Friday before being deemed questionable for Sunday's contest. In his return to action, barring any limitations or in-game setbacks, Njoku should see his share of snaps and targets alongside fellow TE Harold Fannin. Despite missing last weekend's game, Njoku is second on his team with 23 catches (for 223 yards and a touchdown on 36 targets), trailing only Fannin (32 catches on 43 targets for 290 yards and a TD) in that category.

Taylor (quadriceps), who has been deemed questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Taylor popped up on Thursday's injury report after missing practice due to the quad injury, but he practiced in a limited fashion Friday and now appears likely to give it a go Sunday, barring a setback. In that scenario, Taylor will again be trying to catch passes from Justin Fields, who will remain the team's starting quarterback for at least another week, perhaps partly as a result of backup Tyrod Taylor being ruled out due to a knee injury. Expect Taylor to rank as one of Fields' preferred targets Sunday due to top wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) being slated to miss another game.

Carlson was elevated to the Bears' active roster Saturday, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.

The 28-year-old's elevation provides Chicago with depth at tight end, as Cole Kmet (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens. Carlson played in the Bears' Week 4 win over the Raiders, failing to record an offensive stat across 15 total snaps (10 on offense, five on special teams). He's likely to have a depth role in Chicago's tight-end corps, playing behind Colston Loveland and Durham Smythe.

Rucci was elevated to the Dolphins' active roster Saturday.

The Wisconsin product's elevation provides Miami with much-needed depth at tight end, as both Darren Waller (pectoral) and Julian Hill (ankle) are sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons. Rucci has yet to appear in an NFL game after posting 11 catches for 125 yards and no touchdowns during his final collegiate season in 2023.

Yankoff (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Chiefs, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Yankoff likely sustained a hamstring injury during Friday's practice, and the issue now appears serious enough for him to miss Monday night's contest. The UCLA product has appeared in all seven of Washington's games this season, failing to record an offensive stat while playing 184 total snaps (140 on special teams, 44 on offense). While he's sidelined in Week 8, the Commanders' tight-end room will likely consist of Zach Ertz, John Bates and Ben Sinnott.

Schultz (back/shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the 49ers after practicing fully Friday.

With wideouts Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) both ruled out for the contest, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 suggests that the Texans figure to lean heavily on Schultz on Sunday, along with rookie wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, in addition to Xavier Hutchinson. While recording a 75 percent snap share in this past Monday's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks, Schultz racked up nine catches on 10 targets for a team-high 98 yards.

The Saints claimed Mitchell-Paden off waivers from the Ravens on Friday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell-Paden will get a new opportunity with the Saints after being let go by the Ravens on Thursday. The 26-year-old will add to a Saints tight end room that consists of Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill and Jack Stoll. Mitchell-Paden logged one catch (on two targets) for three yards through six regular-season games for the Ravens before being waived.

The Seahawks signed Saubert on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

As expected, Saubert is back with the Seahawks after he was released in a procedural move Wednesday. Saubert has just one catch for 12 yards across seven appearances this season but has been a big asset as a blocker.

Yankoff (hamstring) was limited in Friday's practice, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

Yankoff wasn't on the injury report Thursday, so it's possible he was injured in Friday's session. The Commanders will practice again Saturday ahead of Monday night's game against the Chiefs. Yankoff also dealt with a hamstring injury at the end of last season.