NFL Player News

Alie-Cox (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, but coach Shane Steichen said Alie-Cox will play, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Alie-Cox wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday or Thursday before logging a DNP on Friday. It sounds like he's avoided a serious injury, and the Colts expect him to be available versus Denver. The Colts like to use multiple tight ends, rendering none of them useful in fantasy outside of the deepest of formats. Alie-Cox has 11 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets across 13 games this season.

Long secured both of his targets for 17 yards during Thursday's 12-6 victory against the 49ers.

The two catches by Long were his first since Week 9, despite averaging 19 snaps per game in the five contests between catches. The three-man rotation at tight end is likely to add a fourth name to that list next week as Tyler Higbee (knee) is likely to return, which will almost certainly depress Long and Davis Allen's already meager snap counts even more.

McBride (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

A limited practice participant earlier in the week, McBride upgraded to full participation Friday, suggesting he should be ready for his usual, target-hogging role in a matchup with New England's subpar defense. He still hasn't scored a receiving TD this season but ranks top two among tight ends in catches, yards and targets.

McBride (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

A limited practice participant earlier in the week, McBride upgraded to full participation Friday, suggesting he should be ready for his usual, target-hogging role in a matchup with New England's subpar defense. He still hasn't scored a receiving TD this season but ranks top two among tight ends in catches, yards and targets.

Parkinson secured two of five targets for 21 yards during Thursday's 12-6 victory against the 49ers.

The veteran tight end helped to ice the game in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, converting a big third down with a 14-yard catch just after the two-minute warning. Parkinson was second on the team behind Puka Nacua in targets, and his 32 snaps on offense outpaced fellow tight ends Hunter Long (22) and Davis Allen (15). His 21 yards receiving was his highest total since Week 7 against the Raiders, however, and this lack of production, along with the impending return of Tyler Higbee (knee), makes it hard to trust Parkinson for fantasy purposes. A Week 16 matchup against a stalwart Jets defense further dampens any hope for a breakout performance.

Njoku, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, said Friday that he's dealing with tightness in his hamstring but hopes to play this weekend, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After coach Kevin Stefanski deemed Njoku day-to-day due to a hamstring injury Wednesday, the tight end proceeded to sit out all three Week 15 practices. The Browns are keeping the door open for Njoku to suit up this weekend, and he even noted Friday that the team will have a better idea of his status Sunday morning, implying his availability will be tied to a pregame workout. Ultimately, Cleveland will reveal whether or not Njoku will be able to play about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Coach Sean McVay said Higbee (knee) is expected to make his season debut Sunday, Dec. 22 at the Jets, barring a setback in his recovery, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Higbee has been listed as a full participant on Rams injury reports the past two weeks, but the team opted not to activate him for Week 14 or 15. Los Angeles must do so by this coming Wednesday, or else he'll remain on the reserve/PUP list for the rest of the campaign. Higbee is in the final stages of his recovery from the ACL and MCL tears that he suffered in his right knee Jan. 14 in a playoff loss at Detroit.

Njoku (hamstring) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com and Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram report.

Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and also wasn't spotted at Friday's session, per Oyefusi, but the tight end evidently has a chance to suit up Sunday. Look for added context regarding his Week 15 status to arrive prior to the Browns' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but heading into the weekend, Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart are the team's top healthy and available TE options.

Morris (shoulder/groin) is questionable for Sunday's game versus Detroit.

Morris missed last week's loss to the Rams, but he did practice fully earlier this week and is practicing Friday. Dalton Kincaid (knee) is also listed as questionable to face the Lions. Dawson Knox and Zach Davidson would handle tight end duties if both players were unable to play Sunday.

Head coach Sean McDermott noted Friday that Kincaid (knee) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

Kincaid, who has missed the Bills' last three games, was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough and Thursday's practice estimate, and he'll work Friday in some capacity. If he's available versus Detroit, the tight end likely would step back into a key role in Buffalo's passing game. However, given his looming questionable designation, confirmation of Kincaid's Week 15 status won't arrive until inactives are posted ahead of Buffalo's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.