NFL Player News

Supernaw (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Supernaw was only able to log one limited practice this week, which might not be enough for him to gain clearance by the time Sunday rolls around. The 27-year-old is third on the depth chart at tight end and won't have a major role in the passing attack if active in Week 15.

James could see his offensive snap share increase in Sunday's game against the Patriots with Vance McDonald (shoulder) ruled out for the contest.

Though James is the Steelers' clear top tight end, McDonald has been mixed liberally into the game plan when he's been able to suit up this season, logging no fewer than 15 offensive snaps in any of his eight appearances. As such, McDonald's absences have afforded James a little extra playing time, especially in recent weeks. When McDonald missed Weeks 11 through 13 with an ankle injury, James averaged 66 snaps per game. McDonald returned to suit up for last week's win over the Ravens, but exited with the shoulder issue in that contest, enabling James to log 71 snaps, which he used to catch a season-high 10 passes for 97 yards. Given that James hadn't recorded more than six receptions or 42 receiving yards in any of the Steelers' previous 12 games, a repeat performance shouldn't be expected in Week 15, but McDonald's absence at least makes the possibility a little bit more likely.

Kroft (hamstring) turned in a full practice Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Kroft's full practice cleared up any concern the Bengals' coaching staff might have had about the tight end's health heading into the weekend. While Kroft should start and see the bulk of the snaps at tight end Sunday, he hasn't been a primary option in the Bengals' passing attack in recent weeks. Over the team's last five games, Kroft has hauled in eight of 16 targets for 60 yards and two scores.

Njoku (foot/wrist) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Neither injury looks like it will inhibit Njoku in Week 15, but his inconsistent production in recent games will make him a high-variance fantasy play at tight end. After turning in back-to-back four-catch outings in Weeks 12 and 13, Njoku failed to make an impact in the Browns' loss to the Packers last Sunday, hauling in just one of two targets for three yards.

Graham (ankle) isn't on the Seahawks' final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Per usual, the Seahawks limited Graham's practice workload in an effort to keep him fresh for Sunday. He'll be looking to bounce back from a zero-catch outing in last week's 30-24 loss to the Jaguars.

The Vikings promoted Carter to the 53-man roster Friday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Carter is expected to dress as the No. 2 tight end behind David Morgan for Sunday's game against the Bengals with Kyle Rudolph (ankle) doubtful for the contest and Blake Bell (shoulder) landing on injured reserve. The Penn State product totaled 84 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns during his four-year college career, but has yet to make his NFL debut since turning pro in 2016. Don't expect him to see much involvement in the passing game in Week 15.

Bell (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

The Vikings will shut down Bell for the season after he suffered a shoulder injury in the Week 14 loss to the Panthers that left him unable to practice this week. The Oklahoma product, who caught two passes and a two-point conversion against Carolina, probably would have been in line for an increased role if he had been available for Sunday's game versus the Bengals with starting tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) doubtful to play. It's now expected that David Morgan will handle most of the reps at the position in Week 15.

Graham (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Graham theoretically regressed in terms of activity level, but the Seahawks held an actual practice Thursday after a walk-through Wednesday, so his lack of work isn't surprising in the least. Whether or not he leaves Week 15 prep with a designation, the touchdown machine seems like a safe enough play Sunday against a Rams defense that has surrendered seven TDs to tight ends in 13 games this season.

Kroft (hamstring) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

After missing Wednesday's practice, Kroft is trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Vikings approaches. Added clarity regarding his playing status will arrive Friday, though at this stage it remains to be seen if the tight end draws a questionable designation, or is removed altogether from the Bengals' final Week 15 injury report.

Bell (shoulder) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Just like Bell, fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) was also sidelined for the second day of practice in a row. Though Rudolph, the team's starting tight end, is the far superior fantasy option, Bell's status is of more import heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals with Rudolph looking iffy for the contest. If Bell and Rudolph are both sidelined, the Vikings could be forced to turn to David Morgan -- who has yet to receive official clearance from the NFL's concussion protocol -- to handle nearly all the snaps at tight end Sunday.