NFL Player News

Falcons TE Chase Coffman, CB Robert Alford and DT Corey Peters are active Week 8 against the Cardinals. 

Alford has been dealing with an ankle injury. Peters has a shoulder issue, and Coffman is battling a knee injury.

As expected, Redskins tight ends Jordan Reed and Logan Paulsen were both ruled active for Sunday's Week 8 showdown on the road against the Broncos despite being listed on the injury report.

Reed had been nursing a hip injury and Paulsen had a knee injury. Both tight ends made it through practice without any concerns Friday and were never in any danger of missing game action.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew is active for the Week 8 game against Dallas from Detroit Sunday. Pettigrew had been considered probable on the official injury report due to a hamstring issue. He has 23 catches this season over seven games for 194 yards and one touchdown. 

Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray, tight end Kevin Brock, safety Bradley McDougald, linebacker Dezman Moses (toe), center Eric Kush, guard Rishaw Johnson and defensive lineman Jaye Howard were among the team's inactives Week 8 vs. Cleveland.

Despite reports earlier in the day that Jimmy Graham has a partially torn plantar fascia, the Saints tight end is active for Week 8 against the Bills, though he's expected to be limited with the injury. His availability will depend partially on his ability to tolerate the pain.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has a partially torn plantar fascia and will be a game-time decision Week 8 vs. Buffalo, according to FOX Sports. Graham is going to test the injury in pregame warmups.

Graham said his injury is a pain-tolerance issue. He said he felt better Friday, but it's still very painful. If he can play, then the Saints are expected to limit his snaps.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is listed as questionable for today's game vs. Buffalo after practicing on a limited basis on Friday with a foot injury. But according to ESPN, "don't get your hopes up" about his availability. Per reporter Chris Mortensen, there isn't much optimism he'll be active. 

Ben Watson is expected to play in Graham's place in the event he is inactive. 

I promised the people in my Friday chat I'd do a little research on Andrew Quarless, so here it is. Quarless was the primary tight end for the Packers following the injury to Jermichael Finley, which makes sense since he was their No. 2 tight end going into last week's game. 

After watching some snaps of his this year I found Quarless to be well sized but not fast. That might be because of knee surgery for a torn ACL in 2012. His hands are all right. 

The reality is that he's no different than Jarrett Boykin was last week: Any opportunity to play a lot with Aaron Rodgers could result in some good numbers. Finley had 5.7 targets per game this year -- a number that could apply to Quarless for the foreseeable future. The only catch is that the Packers have another tight end named Brandon Bostick who could swipe some work, though he's considered fairly raw. 

Nearly all the players listed on the Friday injury report for the Lions are probable. The most prominent are wide receiver Calvin Johnson, running back Reggie Bush and safety Louis Delmas with knee injuries and cornerback Rashean Mathis (groin).

Others are linebacker Ashlee Palmer (ankle), tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), defensive lineman Andre Fluellen (concussion) and running back Theo Riddick (concussion).

As expected, wide receiver Nate Burleson (forearm) and tackle Corey Hilliard (knee) have been ruled out. Offensive linemen Jason Fox (knee) and Riley Reiff (hamstring) are questionable.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (foot) will likely be a gametime decision for Week 8 against the Bills, after making his return to practice Friday. Graham participated in Friday's practice on a limited basis, and is officially considered questionable for Sunday's game.