NFL Player News

Vannett (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Vannett has now been limited in two straight practices, which is a sign that he is making progress with his recovery from an ankle sprain. When he does return to game action, he will sit behind Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson at tight end and is unlikely to make any kind of fantasy impact.

Graham (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports.

Graham has slowly but surely increased his comfort within the offense through three games, culminating with six catches (on nine targets) for 100 yards and one touchdown this past Sunday against the 49ers. The development may be tied to putting last year's torn patellar tendon further in the rearview mirror, but San Francisco's defense has allowed the second-most yards (248) to opposing tight ends this season. With another friendly matchup on top in Week 4 -- the Jets have conceded a 71-percent catch rate to TE -- Graham is poised for back-to-back relevant outings.

The Cardinals placed Niklas (wrist) on injured reserve Tuesday, the team's official site reports.

Each team is able to activate one player from injured reserve under new league rules, but the Cardinals are unlikely to do so with Niklas, who is slated for at least four months of rehab on his wrist, according to Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix. In any case, Niklas wasn't making inroads on starting tight end Darren Fells and recorded precisely no yards on his sole catch this season. In a corresponding move, Ifeanyi Momah was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Allen caught three passes (on five targets) for 35 yards in a win over the Chargers on Sunday.

With the Colts using more two-TE sets with Donte Moncrief sidelined, both Allen and Jack Doyle were on the field for more than two-thirds of the plays on offense. However, it's somewhat unsettling that Doyle got more targets (six), as Allen may see fewer targets due to his blocking ability.

Though Kroft started ahead of C.J. Uzomah on Sunday, he didn't receive any targets in the loss to the Broncos, and he was on the field for only four more snaps than Uzomah.

Meanwhile, Tyler Eifert continues to make good progress in his recovery, so any chance Kroft might have had will be gone soon.

Uzomah had two catches for 31 yards on four targets in the Bengals' Week 3 loss to the Broncos.

Even though Uzomah was the reserve behind Tyler Kroft for this game, he saw just four fewer snaps and had four targets to zero for Kroft. This might all be moot, however, as Tyler Eifert is due back soon.

Donnell caught three of four targets for 11 yards Sunday versus the Redskins.

Donnell is splitting reps with fellow TE Will Tye, mostly catching short passes in head coach Ben McAdoo's offense.

Niklas injured his wrist during Sunday's loss at Buffalo, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. In a Monday media session, head coach Bruce Arians said the issue "could be severe."

Niklas has received a consistent snap count this season, earning between 18 and 24 in the first three games, but he's been contained to blocking duties, as evidenced by one reception on two targets for no yards. If the third-year tight end is sidelined for any length of time, his reps will likely be redistributed between Darren Fells and Jermaine Gresham.

Henry could get another start at tight end if Antonio Gates (hamstring) is unable to play, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Gehlken suggests the veteran tight end wasn't even close to healthy enough to play Sunday, a notion that should perk up the ears of Henry's owners. Filling in for Gates against the Colts, Henry played every offensive snap and caught all five of his targets for 76 yards. While he did suffer a key fumble late in the fourth quarter, Henry figures to have done enough offensively to see more targets in the coming weeks if Gates misses any more time.

Ertz (ribs) is expected to return for the Eagles' Week 5 game against the Lions, according to coach Doug Pederson.

Ertz has been sidelined since suffering a displaced rib during Philadelphia's season-opening win, but with the Eagles now entering a Week 4 bye, he could return for their next appearance. Should that transpire, adding Ertz would only figure to boost an offense that has already impressed to begin this season. That being said, by Ertz reclaiming the Eagles' starting tight end position, both Brent Celek and Trey Burton would probably be pushed down the pecking order in Philadelphia's passing game.