NFL Player News
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Theo Johnson TE | NYG
Giants' Theo Johnson: Absent from practice Wednesday
Johnson (illness) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson missed New York's win over the Raiders in Week 17 due to an illness that continues to prevent him from taking part in practice. He'll have two more opportunities to resume practicing in at least a limited capacity ahead of the Giants' regular-season finale against the Cowboys on Sunday. If Johnson can't gain clearance to play Week 18, expect Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz to again lead New York's tight end position.
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Mason Taylor TE | NYJ
Jets' Mason Taylor: Won't practice Wednesday
Taylor (neck) will not practice Wednesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Taylor hasn't played since Week 14. If the rookie tight end is unable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bills, the Jets will once again roll with Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods at tight end.
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Harold Fannin Jr. TE | CLE
Browns' Harold Fannin: Not slated to practice Wednesday
Fannin (groin) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Fannin exited the Browns' Week 17 win over the Steelers after appearing to aggravate a groin injury that first cropped up this past Friday. He'll now have two more chances to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Bengals, but if he and/or David Njoku -- who hasn't played since Week 14 due to a knee injury -- are out this weekend, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates (shoulder) and practice squad member Sal Cannella could be available to handle Cleveland's Week 18 tight end duties.
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Will not practice Wednesday
Njoku (knee/personal) will not practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku hasn't played since Week 14 and seems unlikely to return for the regular-season finale against the Bengals. Across 12 appearances this season, Njoku has recorded just 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Njoku's 24.4 yards per game are his fewest since 2020.
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Dawson Knox TE | BUF
Bills' Dawson Knox: Limited listing on tap
Knox (knee) will be listed as limited in Wednesday's walk-through, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
As will Dalton Kincaid (knee), with both tight ends now having two more chances to upgrade to full participation before the Bills post their Week 18 injury designations Friday. It remains to be seen how the team plans to proceed with its banged up players as Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets approaches, with Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com noting Wednesday that at this stage coach Sean McDermott hasn't provided any updates on who will or won't be playing this weekend.
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Dalton Kincaid TE | BUF
Bills' Dalton Kincaid: To be limited in walk-through
Kincaid (knee) will be listed as limited in Wednesday's walk-through, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
The same goes for fellow TE Dawson Knox (knee). Kincaid was inactive for the Bills' 13-12 loss to the Eagles in Week 17, and at this stage it's plausible that the team could elect to err on the side of caution with their top tight end in Week 18, with Kincaid still managing his knee issue ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets. Per Alec White of the team's official site, the Bills are currently the No. 7 playoff seed in the AFC and are still in play to be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depending on how things transpire this weekend.
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Moliki Matavao TE | NO
Saints' Moliki Matavao: Notches first two NFL receptions
Matavao played 27 of the Saints' 54 snaps on offense and recorded two catches for 10 yards in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Titans.
After being signed off the practice squad prior to the Week 17 contest, Matavao ended up ranking second among Saints tight ends in playing time, with Jack Stoll's (knee) early exit opening up more snaps behind top option Juwan Johnson. Matavao took advantage of the added snaps by producing his first two NFL receptions, but the rookie seventh-round pick will remain far off the fantasy radar Week 18 at Atlanta so long as Johnson is available for the Saints.
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David Martin-Robinson TE | TEN
Titans' David Martin-Robinson: Notches rare reception in Week 17
Martin-Robinson played eight of the Titans' 74 snaps on offense and recorded a nine-yard catch on his lone target in Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Saints.
The reception was the third of the season for Martin-Robinson, who previously had a one-yard touchdown grab in Week 6 and a six-yard catch in Week 14. The second-year tight end has suited up in all 16 of the Titans' games to date, but he's seen most of his playing time on special teams while Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm have worked ahead of him on offense.
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George Kittle TE | SF
49ers' George Kittle: Trending in right direction
San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that Kittle (ankle) is trending in the right direction to suit up Saturday night versus the Seahawks, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Kittle wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out to face the Bears in Week 17, but he managed to get in limited on-field reps during Tuesday's session. Barring any setbacks, the standout tight end looks on track to return to action versus Seattle on Saturday, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be officially assigned an injury designation on Thursday's practice report. Kittle's status will be crucial for Brock Purdy and the 49ers' offense, as the victor of Saturday's showdown will not only win the NFC West but also the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.
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Nick Kallerup TE | SEA
Seahawks' Nick Kallerup: No targets in Week 17
Kallerup went without a target while playing seven of the Seahawks' 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.
The undrafted rookie tight end out of Minnesota has now suited up in nine consecutive games for the Seahawks, but he's been targeted just once during that stretch and has yet to notch his first NFL reception.