NFL Player News

Njoku (ankle) was back at practice Sunday after missing Saturday's session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The 29th overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft is in a good position to easily eclipse his rookie-year numbers -- 32 catches for 386 yards and four TDs. It helps that the Browns should enjoy a higher level of QB play this season, with Tyrod Taylor set to start and top overall pick Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings. At 6-foot-4, 246 pounds, Njoku possesses the size and athleticism to be a difference-maker in an improved Cleveland attack that will also funnel targets to wideouts Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon and running back Duke Johnson.

James suffered a back contusion during Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

James was removed in the second quarter after a high pass exposed him to a big hit, finishing the afternoon with two catches for 17 yards on six targets. With fellow tight ends Vance McDonald (foot) and Xavier Grimble (wrist) already in danger of missing the start of the season, Bucky Hodge is left as the team's only healthy player at the position. James and McDonald were expected to compete for the starting job, but the latter may have lost his chance after missing the vast majority of training camp and the first three weeks of the preseason. McDonald should still have a role on passing downs once he's healthy, potentially working in a timeshare with James.

Goedert caught two of five targets for 26 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to Cleveland.

That Goedert got the start alongside Zach Ertz and saw Nick Foles' first target of the day just goes to show how highly the Eagles prize their first-round rookie. The South Dakota State product has impressed in three preseason games thus far, racking up nine catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. The strong showing has him firmly ahead of Richard Rodgers (knee) on the tight end depth chart as the Eagles head into their final tuneup against the Jets.

Ertz caught four pass attempts for 26 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Browns.

Ertz saw five targets in all out of Nick Foles' 17 pass attempts and now has 46 yards on five catches in his two preseason games. Additionally, the 27-year-old is one of the few healthy pass-catching options on the team at the moment. The six-year veteran is poised once again to be a top-flight tight end this season.

Engram won't return to Friday's game against the Jets after suffering a concussion.

Engram was crunched by two Jets players after making a catch and went down holding his head before being escorted to the locker room by training staff. He'll enter the concussion protocol and figures to be out for several days as he works his way back. He ends the day with three receptions for 23 yards. Look for Jerell Adams to see some extra snaps now that Engram is sidelined.

Njoku hauled in all four of his targets for 25 yards during Thursday's preseason 5-0 win over the Eagles.

Njoku was able to get back into the box score after being held without a reception in the team's second preseason game last week. The second-year tight end has shown good chemistry with both Tyrod Taylor (wrist) and Baker Mayfield in training camp and preseason game action, and there should be little that holds him back from breaking out in 2018, especially if he secures an every-down role.

Hollister (undisclosed) won't play Friday against the Panthers, Jeff Howe of The Athletic Boston reports.

This was an expected outcome, but just an FYI for those considering Hollister as an option in DFS formats. For now, consider the reserve tight end day-to-day.

Hollister (undisclosed) is not expected to play Friday night against the Panthers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear what's bothering the tight end, but it looks like his next chance to suit up won't arrive arrive until next Thursday's preseason finale. Looking ahead, we'd expect Hollister to survive roster cutdowns and provide depth behind veterans Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen. In that scenario, Hollister's fantasy value is limited, but given his pass-catching skills, he probably offers more upside in the event that Gronkowski misses any time.

Hurst has a stress fracture in his foot and likely will be out for 3-to-4 weeks, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Hurst will have a procedure Friday to insert a screw in his injured foot, with the Ravens holding out hope he can return at some point in September. The rookie first-round pick was making a strong case to take Nick Boyle's spot atop the depth chart, getting regular run with the starting offense throughout the preseason. Boyle is now locked in as the Week 1 starter, and rookie third-round pick Mark Andrews could make a late push for a role on passing downs. With Baltimore scheduled for the Thursday game in Week 2, ESPN's Jamison Hensley believes Hurst is unlikely to be available any sooner than Sept. 23 against the Broncos (Week 3).

Graham isn't expected to suit up for Friday's preseason game at Oakland, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Graham rewarded the Packers in his debut for the green and gold last Thursday, parlaying a red-zone look from Aaron Rodgers into an eight-yard touchdown. The coaching staff likely was envisioning such connections upon Graham signing with the organization in March, but his next chance to do so should come in the season opener Sunday, Sept. 9 against the Bears.