NFL Player News

Though Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle) was spotted catching passes Wednesday, he's not in line to participate in practice, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com reports. 

We'll revisit Allen's status no later than Thursday, but at this stage the Colts consider the tight end day to day in advance of Sunday's game against the Titans.

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said Tuesday that tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle) is day-to-day, reports Kevin Bowen of Colts.com.

Allen's had trouble staying healthy to this point in his career, but his injury from Monday's game against the Jets doesn't sound too serious. If Allen misses any time, Coby Fleener gets a large value boost, as the two tight ends typically limit each other's upside.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen left Monday night's game against the Jets with an ankle injury and will not return, reports Kevin Bowen of Colts.com.

Allen suffered from ankle issues much of last season, so this is troubling news for those who've been counting on him as a TE2. Coby Fleener should see an expanded role in the Colts' offense while Allen remains out.

Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham caught one pass for 11 yards on two targets in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Packers. 

Eight of Russell Wilson's 30 pass attempts went to Doug Baldwin, who was the only Seattle player with more than 36 receiving yards. Graham drew a bunch of targets late in Seattle's Week 1 loss to the Rams, but his usage (or lack thereof) has been disappointing to owners so far.

Although a Week 3 home game against the Bears appears quite favorable from a matchup perspective, the Seahawks may be able to get by with only a minor contribution from their passing attack.

Giants tight end Larry Donnell caught four of his six targets for 28 yards and a touchdown.

He'll be in the mix most weeks, and he'll see some red-zone looks, but the tight end typically isn't a major part of the Giants offense.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham caught one of five targets for seven yards and a touchdown in Houston's loss to Carolina in Week 2.

Graham was an afterthought in Houston's season-opening loss, but had a greater role this week when Ryan Griffin (knee) was unavailable.

Tight end Joseph Fauria was released by the Cardinals on Saturday. 

The Cardinals dropped Fauria from the 53-man roster in order to make room for running back Kerwynn Williams, who was added from the practice squad with the impending absence of Andre Ellington for Sunday's game against the Bears. Fauria was inactive for the Cardinals' Week 1 win over the Saints.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew will be out for Sunday's game, leaving tight end Tim Wright as the team's only tight end aside from Eric Ebron, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reports.

After being inactive in Week 1, Wright figures to make his debut for Detroit on Sunday. A very different player than Pettigrew, who is more of a blocker, it will be interesting to see whether Wright will get some opportunities flexed out while Ebron plays a more traditional Y role.

Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (hamstring) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

With three consecutive full practices to his name, Niklas should be fine to serve as the Cardinals' No. 3 tight end, after logging just three snaps in Week 1.

The 52nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Niklas has a 6-6, 270-pound frame that should at least make him useful as a blocker, but he's struggled to stay healthy thus far.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game in Minnesota.

Pettigrew was a non-participant throughout the week of practice, after drawing just one target and suffering a hamstring injury during Week 1 against the Chargers. Eric Ebron impressed as the primary receiving tight end, with four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Pettigrew's absence may impact the Detroit running game a bit, even though he's not a particularly good blocker.

With undersized Tim Wright the only other tight end on the roster, Ebron will presumably handle the in-line role, unless the Lions sign a blocking specialist before Sunday's game.