NFL Player News

Engram (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears in London.

For the first time since the Jaguars' season-opening loss to the Dolphins, Engram is slated to play after missing the previous four games while recovering from the hamstring strain he suffered during pregame warmups in Week 2. Engram still had a cap on his reps in each of the Jaguars' three practices this week, and while he's expected to reclaim a starting role in his return to the lineup, he could have his workload managed to some degree. Engram had been one of the top fantasy producers at tight end during the 2023 season, putting together a 114-963-4 receiving line on 143 targets over 17 games.

Engram (hamstring) remains listed as questionable but is likely to play in Sunday's game versus Chicago in London, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter's report follows an earlier one from Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, who described Engram as trending toward playing. The tight end thus looks set to put an end to a four-game absence after injuring his hamstring during pregame warmups prior to Cleveland's second game of the campaign. Brenton Strange has been filling in for Engram as the Jaguars' starting tight end and will likely revert to a backup role Sunday.

Thomas (calf) was activated off injured reserve Saturday and is expected to suit up Sunday versus Atlanta, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Thomas injured his calf in early August and hasn't yet suited up this season. That's expected to change Sunday, as the tight end is expected to make his 2024 debut, per Zietlow. Thomas will likely take over the starting role at the position, and his return comes at a good time for Carolina with Tommy Tremble ruled out Sunday due to a concussion.

Conklin (hip) is listed as questionable for Monday's contest against the Bills, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Conklin was a limited participant in practice all week, which typically is a positive sign in regard to gameday activation. The veteran is coming off one of his better days on the young season, tallying six catches for 55 yards in the team's Week 5 loss. Expect more information regarding his status to arrive before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff Monday.

Engram (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup in London against the Bears, is trending toward playing, Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reports.

Fantasy managers still must check in on the tight end's status before the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff in London, but this seems to echo the optimism head coach Doug Pederson had regarding Engram making his return after a four-game absence. Should the veteran tight end be cleared to return, Brenton Strange would wind up operating in a reserve capacity.

Akins will be the top backup in Sunday's game against the Eagles, as starter David Njoku (knee, ankle) no longer has an injury designation on the Browns' injury report.

Njoku, who aggravated an ankle injury and sustained a knee injury last week and has yet to play a complete game in 2024, will resume his normal role as Cleveland's top tight end. When Njoku's been unavailable, Akins has been forced into a larger role, including that of the top tight end in three of five games thus far, and has led the team's tight ends in snaps in four of five games. Akins has 12 catches on 17 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Pruitt (knee) is out for Sunday's matchup against Las Vegas, according to the Steelers' official site.

Pruitt was a limited participant in each of the Steelers' practices this week, so his inactive designation doesn't come as too much of a surprise. The 6-foot-2 tight end hasn't played since Week 2 against the Broncos and has one catch for nine yards on the year.

The Raiders placed Mayer (personal) on the reserve/non-football illness list Friday.

Mayer has been away from the team since at least Sept. 26 as he tends to a personal matter that has sidelined him the last two games and will keep him out through the Raiders' Week 10 bye. He'll be first eligible to get back on the active roster Sunday, Nov. 17 at Miami, but in the meantime, Harrison Bryant and John Samuel Shenker will handle the TE reps that don't go to rookie sensation Brock Bowers.

Freiermuth (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Freiermuth upgraded to full practice participation Friday after being listed as limited Thursday. He'll continue to work as Pittsburgh's top tight end and will try to extend his touchdown streak to three games Sunday.

The Packers placed Musgrave (ankle) on injured reserve Friday.

During a media session Thursday, coach Matt LaFleur revealed that Musgrave "more than likely" would require an IR stint due to the ankle injury that has plagued him the last two weeks, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. Now that the move is official, the team will lean on Tucker Kraft to continue handling a majority share of the TE snaps, while Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick, who was signed off the Falcons' practice squad this week, will be on hand for any reps that linger. LaFleur also told Hodkiewicz that there's hope Musgrave will return later in the season, which implies he may miss more than the required four games on IR during his recovery.