NFL Player News

The Packers have designated Sternberger (ankle) to return from IR, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Sternberger will be eligible to practice this week, and he could return to action as soon as Week 9 against the Chargers. The rookie third-round pick is nursing an ankle injury sustained during Green Bay's final preseason game. The Packers are hoping Sternberger can make an immediate impact in their tight end room, which currently houses Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan (hip) and Evan Baylis.

Kittle (undisclosed) didn't take part in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle popped up on the practice report last Friday as a limited participant due to a groin injury, inducing a questionable designation for a Week 6 matchup with the Rams. He proceeded to suit up and play 83 percent of the offensive snaps this past Sunday en route to his first 100-yard game of the season. Wednesday's report will reveal what's ailing Kittle as well as his activity level.

Dissly will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday to address a torn Achilles, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Seahawks feared Dissly suffered a serious injury during Sunday's over the Browns, and follow-up tests ultimately confirmed as much. The injury is a major blow both to the Seahawks offense and the tight end's outlook moving forward, as his rookie season was previously cut short due to a patellar tendon tear in his right knee. On a brighter note, Dissly is expected to be ready to go for the 2020 campaign.

Engram (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram sat out New York's loss to the Patriots in Week 6 due to a sprained MCL in his left knee, but he looks like he'll return to action after missing just one game. Barring any setbacks, Engram is on track to suit up Sunday, taking on a Cardinals defense that has consistently struggled to slow down tight ends this season. Star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) also practiced in full Wednesday and is trending toward availability Week 7.

Kroft (ankle) is practicing fully Wednesday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Coming out of a bye week, Kroft appears ready to make his Bills debut Sunday against the Dolphins. He recovered from offseason foot surgery in time for Week 3, but then sprained the ankle on his other leg during practice. With rookie tight end Dawson Knox making a strong impression, it isn't quite clear how Kroft will fit in with the Buffalo passing attack, though a three-year, $18.75 million contract suggests the veteran will at least get some snaps.

Swaim (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

With James O'Shaughnessy (knee) out for the season, Josh Oliver still recovering from a hamstring injury and Swaim in the concussion protocol, Seth DeValve and Ben Koyack are left as the healthy tight ends in Jacksonville. There's a chance that Swaim and/or Oliver could be ready for Sunday's game in Cincinnati. Swaim and DeValve drew two targets apiece in last week's 13-6 loss to the Saints.

Uzomah caught two of three targets for 26 total yards during Sunday's 23-17 loss to Baltimore.

Uzomah made his biggest mark early in the second quarter, taking a pass over the middle and barreling ahead for 22 yards. Uzomah has caught multiple passes in back-to-back games after being catchless in the prior three contests. He's unlikely to see many passes, so Uzomah's value depends on big plays with 53.7 percent of his 108 yards on the season coming on just two plays. He'll have a shot to make a play or two downfield against a Jaguars pass defense that is 25th in the league in opponent receiving yards per catch at 12.3 and just traded away Jalen Ramsey.

Lewis caught two passes for 50 yards in Monday's victory over the Lions.

Lewis gobbled up 25 yards on both of his catches in Monday's game, with each topping his previous season high for yards in a game. He has now caught two passes in three straight games, but he remains the clear No. 2 tight end in Green Bay, averaging 27 snaps over his last three games compared to top tight end Jimmy Graham's 54.3. That makes him tough to trust for fantasy players, but he will at least have the matchup in his favor in Week 7, facing a Raiders defense that has been among the worst at stopping opposing tight ends up to this point of the season.

The Patriots signed Tomlinson on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In the wake of Matt LaCosse suffering an MCL sprain last Thursday against the Giants, the Patriots' tight end group was whittled down to just one healthy body (Ryan Izzo). Reinforcements thus were needed, with Tomlinson and reportedly Ben Watson brought into the fold. Tomlinson doesn't bring much pass-catching utility, though, as he has 16 career catches in 39 appearances between the Jets and Giants.

Graham caught two passes for 17 yards in Monday's victory over the Lions.

Graham was targeted five times Monday, including twice in the red zone, but he was only able to come away with the two receptions for minimal yardage. Graham has had productive weeks and a few duds thus far, but he is still seeing the bulk of the work at the tight end position for the Packers, playing at least 70 percent of the snaps in four of his last five games. His next game will come against a Raiders team that is coming off a bye but has allowed opposing tight ends to find paydirt three times in five games this season.