NFL Player News

Pruitt (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

It was seen as a possibility that Pruitt would be able to play in the Vikings' Week 2 matchup with the Packers, but being held out of practice on Wednesday definitely puts his availability in question. Pruitt will have to log practice time in at least a limited fashion these next two days to have a shot at playing Sunday.

Ertz (rib/shoulder) may be facing an extended absence, Philly.com reports. "It's a dangerous situation with a displaced bone," head coach Doug Pederson said. "You are talking up around the neck and head area, so any type of blow again could do further damage to that. That's why it's a week-to-week deal to see how it heals and recovers."

Ertz suffered a displacement of the first rib on his left side, which puts him at risk for a more serious injury in his shoulder/neck area. He played through the injury in Sunday's win over the Browns, but he wouldn't have been allowed to do so if the exact nature of the issue had been known at the time. As such, he'll need medical clearance before he's allowed to retake the field, even if the pain quickly subsides. The Eagles therefore consider Ertz "week-to-week", suggesting he's in serious danger of missing multiple games. Brent Celek figures to play the vast majority of offensive snaps while Ertz is sidelined, with Trey Burton (calf) potentially also taking on an expanded role. It will be a major surprise if Ertz is available Monday in Chicago.

Dray (ankle) is listed as a limited participant for the second straight day Wednesday (the Bills had a walkthrough) and is questionable for Thursday's game against the Jets, ESPN's Mike Rodak reports.

Dray isn't much of a fantasy option with a career high of 26 catches back in 2013, but we suppose he's at least worth a mention should anything happen to Charles Clay. Clay is also listed as questionable with a knee injury, while Dray is second on the depth chart.

Donnell's lone reception was a 15-yard touchdown in Sunday's win over Dallas.

Walked out to the slot midway through the second quarter, Donnell split the seam, got behind the defensive back and hauled a touchdown in the back of the end zone. That lone catch made Donnell a solid play in Week 1. The weeks to come are less clear. Donnell never reached 40 yards in eight games in 2015 and scored just twice. Though he is listed atop the depth chart, backup Will Tye - who served admirably when Donnell went down to injury last season - saw more targets on Sunday.

McFarland has been released by the Eagles with an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McFarland was one of five tight ends remaining on the Eagles' roster after first cuts, but was eventually waived and reverted to injured reserve. The settlement gives him a chance to try his luck with another team.

Dray (ankle) was listed as limited in practice as the Bills held a walkthrough workout Tuesday.

The second-string tight end re-injured his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Ravens, leaving his status unknown for Thursday's game against the Jets. If Dray is ruled out, expect Nick O'Leary to have an expanded role in the Week 2 game plan.

Bowman was waived by the Jets on Tuesday.

Bowman was acquired a little over a week ago, but will once again head into the open market. The move came as Sheldon Richardson returned from his one-game suspension this week, which meant one cut was needed to return the roster to 53 players. Bowman was inactive for Week 1, but will hope to find his way onto a team's roster or practice squad.

Graham (shoulder) was released by the Broncos on Tuesday, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports.

Graham was placed on IR at the end of the preseason due to a shoulder injury, and the Broncos finally decided to cut ties with the tight end. He'll look to return to full strength in the hopes that he can return to an NFL roster next season.

Higbee caught one pass (on four targets) for two yards in Monday night's loss to the 49ers.

Higbee's production is hardly mentionable, but it's worth noting that his four targets exceeded fellow tight end Lance Kendricks' three. A far more athletic player than Kendricks, Higbee could develop into a good target down the seam as a rookie, but judging by his performance both Monday and during the preseason, he'll need to improve his catch efficiency before expectations can get off the ground.

James caught five passes (on seven yards) for 31 yards in Monday's win over the Redskins.

James figures to be the Steelers' starting tight end while Ladarius Green (ankle) misses at least the first six weeks of the season and did a good job of finding room underneath Monday. At six-foot-seven, 261 pounds, James is a hulking target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but given the number of more dynamic targets in Pittsburgh's offense, he's most likely to be subject to spare looks intended to move the sticks. That proved true Monday, but on the whole, James' size gives him good upside as a red zone target as the season unfolds.