NFL Player News

Bryant (elbow) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.

Bryant has filled in for Michael Mayer (NFI - personal) as the in-line/blocking TE since September, with John Samuel Shenker then getting more playing time when Bryant missed Week 8. It's not a role with much fantasy appeal, but Bryant's return may cost Brock Bowers a few snaps/routes.

Smartt (ankle) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns.

Smartt was unable to practice all week after likely sustaining an ankle injury in the Chargers' Week 8 win over the Saints, so it's no surprise that he's not expected to play Sunday. If the Old Dominion product is unable to suit up, the Chargers' tight end room will likely consist of Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Eric Tomlinson.

Dissly (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Browns after practicing without limitations Friday.

The same applies to fellow tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) -- who has missed two straight games -- so Dissly could lose some volume in Week 9 after racking up 18 targets in Weeks 7 and 8. In that context, he profiles as a hit-or-miss fantasy option, especially with wideouts Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston (who had missed back-to-back contests) and Joshua Palmer slated to play Sunday.

Fant (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Fant will miss a game for the first time this season right ahead of Seattle's Week 10 bye. His absence leaves more playing time for fellow tight ends AJ Barner, Pharaoh Brown and Brady Russell, with Barner being most likely of the bunch to have significant involvement in the passing game.

Franks (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints.

Franks was unable to practice all week after sustaining a concussion in the Panthers' Week 8 loss to the Broncos, so it's no surprise he won't suit up for Sunday's divisional matchup. With Franks sidelined in Week 9, Carolina's tight end room will likely consist of Tommy Tremble (back), Ja'Tavion Sanders and Ian Thomas.

Goedert (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Goedert hasn't practiced since suffering the hamstring injury Week 6 and now will miss a third straight game. Grant Calcaterra has been filling in with a near-every-down role at tight end, replacing all of Goedert's usual snaps but seeing fewer targets.

Hockenson (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Colts.

With a trio of full practices behind him this week, Hockenson is poised for his first game action since he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee Dec. 24. With Hockenson healthy, QB Sam Darnold will have his full allotment of skill-position talent available this weekend, namely WR Justin Jefferson, RB Aaron Jones, Hockenson and WR Jordan Addison.

Njoku (ankle/hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Some doubt over Njoku's availability crept in after he missed practice Thursday, but he's good to go for the Browns' second game with Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback. Njoku showed strong chemistry with Winston in Cleveland's 29-24 Week 8 win over the Ravens, posting five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. In Njoku's last five games started by a quarterback other than Deshaun Watson (Achilles), which includes games in 2023 when Joe Flacco was under center, Njoku has 434 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Tremble (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After missing games in Week 6 and 7 due to the back injury, Tremble returned to the lineup for this past Sunday's loss to Denver, playing 57 percent of the snaps on offense while recording two catches for 13 yards on three targets. The back issue has still been affecting Tremble's practice time, as he was a non-participant in Wednesday's session before returning to the field Thursday as a limited participant. He submitted a full practice Friday, however, and provided he didn't experience any setbacks, Tremble will likely be cleared to play Sunday. He'll presumably be splitting work at tight end with rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 9.

Njoku (ankle/hand) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku didn't practice Thursday, so his return to the field a day later bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Chargers. If the tight end is able to work fully Friday, he could head into the weekend without a Week 9 injury designation.