NFL Player News

Coach Pete Carroll admitted that the Seahawks fear Dissly ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 32-28 win over the Browns, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Initial diagnostic tests on Dissly haven't proven conclusive, but it's apparent the Seahawks are bracing for the worst once his MRI results become available. If Carroll's fear comes to pass, it would mark the second significant injury in as many seasons for Dissly, whose rookie campaign was cut short by a patellar tendon tear in his right knee. Luke Willson (56 snaps) and Jacob Hollister (29 snaps) filled in at tight end Sunday following Dissly's early exit, but neither player represents a major threat in the passing game.

Engram (knee) said he's "pretty optimistic" that he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

After spraining the MCL in his left knee in an Oct. 6 loss to the Vikings, Engram was unable to make it back for the Giants' loss to the Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 6. With additional time to recover, Engram looks to be in a better place physically to begin Week 7 preparations, as he was able to take part in individual drills during a light practice Monday. The Giants will see what he's able to do in their official practice sessions Wednesday through Friday before making a more definitive ruling on his status for the matchup with Arizona.

Engram (knee) is going through individual drills at Monday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Recovering from an MCL sprain, Engram managed just one limited practice last week (Tuesday), ultimately being ruled out on the final injury report for Thursday's loss to the Patriots. His ability to practice in any capacity Monday suggests the tight end has a shot to return for a Week 7 matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday.

Akins caught three of three targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Chiefs in Week 6.

It was a big target day for Houston's tight ends, as Akins and Darren Fells combined for 10 targets, their most since Week 3. Neither found the end zone, but both were targeted in the red zone again while Akins' five red-zone targets are tied for second on the team behind Will Fuller. Akins, who has caught at least one pass in all six games thus far, has 13 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Vannett caught his only target for five yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Chargers.

Vannett has yet to see more than two targets in a game this season, but he was on the field for 36 snaps compared to 39 for Vance McDonald, who was dealing with a shoulder stinger heading into this contest. The Steelers' run-heavy philosophy in Week 6 also hindered this already erratic TE picture, though McDonald could sneak back into fantasy relevance in Week 8 versus the Dolphins after a bye. Vannett would return to the background if McDonald can heal up in the interim.

Smith hauled in one of his two targets for eight yards in Week 6 against Denver.

Smith hauled in his lone catch with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, delivered by Ryan Tannehill. He received just one target from starter Marcus Mariota, which came deep down the field late in the second quarter. Smith had outpaced longtime starter Delanie Walker in both Weeks 4 and 5, though Walker's three-reception, 43-yard performance makes it clear that Smith will not have the tight end targets to himself moving forward.

Henry (knee) caught eight of his nine targets for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-17 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

So much for concerns about a limited snap count. The starting tight end was making his return to the field after a four-game absence due to a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee. Henry was the primary beneficiary of a spirited fourth-quarter rally, catching three passes, including two touchdowns, in the fourth quarter. With the Steelers' defense hell-bent on stopping Keenan Allen, both Henry and Mike Williams received the largest target volume as the two combined for 19 targets, although most of that production occurred in the second half as the Chargers tried to erase a three-score deficit. While Henry isn't likely to benefit from that level of garbage-time production moving forward, the 6-foot-5 tight end clearly will be a major red-zone weapon moving forward.

Brown started at tight end and caught his lone target for nine yards in Sunday's 32-28 loss to the Seahawks.

Brown took over the starting job from Demetrius Harris, who had been the primary fill-in for the injured David Njoku (wrist) but was losing playing time to Brown and Ricky Seals-Jones. The catch was just Brown's second on three targets. Since Njoku's injury, Seals-Jones, who scored his second touchdown of the season and was the snap leader Sunday, has been the target leader at the position.

Hill rushed three times for 17 yards in the Saints' 13-6 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Hill continues to be uninvolved at quarterback, as Teddy Bridgewater has commanded the Saints' offense brilliantly, leading the team to a 4-0 record sans Drew Brees. Hill has attempted only one pass in four games with Bridgewater as the starter, and his usage as a gadget player makes him an unappealing deep-league option.

Everett caught two of five targets for nine yards during Sunday's 20-7 loss to the 49ers.

Although Everett finished second on the team in targets, he caught just two of the balls thrown his way and managed to net positive yards just once. This was a large dropoff after Everett caught 12 of 19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown over the prior two games, but it can be attributed by a horrific showing by the passing game as a whole. This was a reminder that the tight end's role in the offense can't be taken for granted despite his recent success, even if next week's road matchup against the Falcons appears favorable on paper.