NFL Player News

Njoku caught six of 11 targets for 69 yards during Sunday's 12-9 overtime win against the Ravens.

Njoku's team-high 11 targets also marked a career high for the second-year tight end, as quarterback Baker Mayfield constantly looked his way Sunday. Njoku's increase in targets could lead to more touchdowns, as Njoku has yet score this season after finding the end zone four times as a rookie in limited playing time in 2017. The second-year pro will look to continue his rapport with Mayfield next Sunday against the Chargers.

Uzomah caught both of his targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 27-17 win over Miami.

Uzomah outplayed fellow tight end Tyler Kroft (zero catches, one target) in the team's first game without Tyler Eifert, who was placed on IR with an ankle injury. Kroft also got hurt in the game and might not be able to go next week. While Uzomah will benefit from Eifert's absence, don't expect him to match the usual starter's production. He'll face the Steelers at home in Week 6.

Higbee (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Higbee will give it a go Sunday, but with a total of three catches (on five targets) for 38 yards and a TD in four games to date, he's only a fantasy consideration in deep formats.

Kroft left Sunday's game against the Dolphins with a right foot injury and is questionable to return.

The Bengals were already in dire straits at tight end, having lost Tyler Eifert for the season last week. Now they're down to C.J. Uzomah and Mason Schreck at the position if Kroft can't return.

Hurst (foot) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

With Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reporting that Hurst could start in his NFL debut Sunday, it's clear that the Ravens have plans for the No. 25 overall pick in April's draft. That said, in his first game as a pro, the 25-year-old tight end still could share work with Nick Boyle, Mark Andrews and Maxx Williams, so he's a speculative fantasy play in Week 5.

Hurst (foot) is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday against Cleveland, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Ravens and Browns will kick off at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Hurst, who was a limited practice participant all week, not only will make his debut but per a source will start against the Browns, who rank 20th in yards per game allowed to tight ends. The Ravens have used a trio of players at tight end, all of whom have combined for 31 catches, 342 yards and a touchdown through four games, so they have the luxury of bringing Hurst along at a measured pace.

Uzomah is expected to serve as the Bengals' primary tight end in Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Though it was Tyler Kroft who acted as the primary replacement for Tyler Eifert in 2017 when Eifert required season-ending back surgery, Terrell relays that Uzomah has since passed Kroft up on the depth chart. That development was evident based on the two reserve tight ends' usage in the Week 4 win over the Falcons, during which Eifert exited with a fractured ankle that ultimately required another season-ending procedure. Uzomah logged 51 offensive snaps in that contest to Kroft's 20, though both players were targeted only one time apiece. While the duo will benefit from enhanced snaps going forward with Eifert out of the picture, both players are probably worth avoiding in most fantasy settings until one delivers any sort of meaningful production.

Allen was on the field for 12 of the Patriots' 69 snaps on offense in Thursday's 38-24 win over the Colts.

Allen was not targeted in the game and the solid blocker remains a fantasy afterthought as long as top tight end Rob Gronkowski finds his way into the Patriots' lineup.

Hollister was on the field for four of the Patriots' 69 snaps on offense in Thursday's 38-24 win over the Colts.

In his return from a two-game absence due to a chest injury, Hollister was not targeted. His fantasy upside remains capped as long as Rob Gronkowski is healthy enough to play.

Graham (knee) was listed as a full participant in Friday's practice.

The activity allowed Graham to avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend, ensuring he'll be available to fill his usual role as the Packers' starting tight end Sunday in Detroit. After recording his first touchdown of the season a week earlier against Buffalo, Graham could have a good opportunity to build on that performance in Week 5. One of the Packers' three starting wideouts, Randall Cobb (hamstring), has already been ruled out for the contest, and the other two starters, Davante Adams (calf) and Geronimo Allison (concussion/hamstring), are listed as questionable. That leaves a trio of unproven rookies (Marquez Valdes-Scantling, J'Mon Moore and Equanimeous St. Brown) as the only healthy wideouts on the roster, which could prompt quarterback Aaron Rodgers to look Graham's way more often.