NFL Player News

Otton (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Otton also kicked off last week with back-to-back DNPs before getting back on the field as limited Friday while donning a large brace on his left knee. He was listed as doubtful and then ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's game at Dallas, but it remains to be seen how the Buccaneers tag him ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Panthers. If Otton is inactive again Sunday, Payne Durham would pick up the slack at tight end for Tampa Bay.

Tremble (shoulder/back) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report.

Tremble didn't appear on Wednesday's injury report (which was a reflection of the Panthers' half-speed practice Tuesday), but it appears he is working through shoulder and back injuries that he might have picked up during Carolina's Week 16 overtime win over Arizona. Tremble's practice participation Friday will indicate his status heading into Sunday's NFC South clash against the Buccaneers. Rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders would see an increased snap count on offense if Tremble is unable to play Sunday.

The Chargers list Hurst (illness) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.

He's one of two Chargers tight ends taking a questionable tag into the weekend, as Will Dissly (shoulder) is also carrying a designation coming off a two-game absence. Hurst had missed five straight games with a hip injury before coming off injured reserve last week and playing eight snaps in this past Thursday's win over the Broncos. With the illness resulting in him logging just one limited practice this week, Hurst may not be in store for a dramatic increase in playing time Saturday if he's cleared to suit up.

The Chargers list Dissly (shoulder) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.

Dissly has missed the Chargers' last two contests, but he looks like he'll have a chance to play Saturday after he was able to resumed practicing in a limited fashion Tuesday and Wednesday before bumping up to full participation Thursday. Official word on Dissly's status will arrive when Los Angeles posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. In addition to Dissly, Hayden Hurst (illness) is also listed as questionable, so Stone Smartt and Tucker Fisk could be in store for elevated snaps at tight end if neither Dissly nor Hurst is able to play.

Njoku (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Ashley Bastock of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, with the tight end's absence from Thursday's session putting the focus on what, if anything, he's able to do Friday. If Njoku is limited or out versus the Dolphins on Sunday, Jordan Akins would be in line to see an expanded role in Cleveland's Week 17 offense.

Likely secured his only target for a nine-yard touchdown in the Ravens' 31-2 win over the Texans on Wednesday.

Likely found the end zone for the second time in four days on his late-second-quarter scoring grab. The second-year tight end hasn't eclipsed 38 receiving yards in five straight contests, but he's capable of emerging in the Ravens' highly efficient and versatile offense in any given game.

Andrews brought in both targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 31-2 win over the Texans on Wednesday.

Andrews led the Ravens in receiving yards, with his 67-yard grab late in the first half representing the bulk of the damage. His yardage total tied the season high he previously set in Week 10, and his one-yard touchdown catch in the latter portion of the third quarter extended his streak with a scoring reception to five games.

The Chargers listed Dissly (shoulder) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

After missing the Chargers' last two games with the shoulder injury, Dissly has now gone down as a limited participant on both of the team's first two Week 17 injury reports. He may need to put in a full session Thursday in order to approach Saturday's game at New England without an injury designation.

Schultz recorded two receptions for 21 yards on six targets in Wednesday's 31-2 loss to the Ravens.

Schultz was coming off his best fantasy performance of the season in Week 16 (5-45-1 receiving line on eight targets), but he followed the big outing up with a Christmas Day dud. The veteran tight end has experienced a downward trend in production in his second season with Houston, carrying a mediocre 50-503-2 receiving line while starting all 16 of the Texans' games in 2024. Schultz will look to finish the regular season on a high note when the Texans visit the Titans next weekend.

Freiermuth caught seven of eight targets for 60 yards in Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.

The tight end led the Steelers in catches, targets and receiving yards on the day, benefiting from Russell Wilson being under constant pressure and needing to get rid of the ball quickly. Freiermuth is seven catches away from setting a new career season high with 64, and he has a shot at reaching that mark in Week 18 against the Bengals. He posted a season-best 6-68-1 line on seven targets in the first meeting between the two teams back in Week 13.