Durham could have an expanded role Sunday in Dallas with Cade Otton (knee) listed as doubtful for the contest, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

More snaps for Durham may not result in an expanded role in the passing game, as he's earned just two targets in 13 games this season. Position mates Ko Kieft and Devin Culp, a rookie seventh-round pick, haven't been targeted at all, though, so Durham at least should be an option for QB Baker Mayfield considering the workload he likely will be taking on. In 26 appearances as a pro to date, Durham has a 7-92-0 line on nine targets, which is good for a 77.8 percent catch rate and 10.2 YPT.

Strange (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Strange was limited in practice all week but is good to go for Week 16. With Evan Engram (shoulder) done for the season, Strange sits atop the depth chart at tight end and is coming off an 11-73-0 line on 12 targets and 82 percent of the offensive snaps last week against the Jets. Strange has consistently produced useful fantasy box scores when Engram has missed games this season, and he gets a juicy matchup Sunday versus Las Vegas.

The Texans signed Smith to their active roster Friday.

Smith, a 2019 second-round pick from Alabama, has already played in two games with the Texans this season, failing to record a stat across 48 total snaps (39 offensive and nine on special teams). He's expected to serve as Houston's No. 2 tight end in Saturday's matchup against the Chiefs, playing behind Dalton Schultz.

Higbee (knee/illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

The Rams listed Higbee as a full participant on seven consecutive practice reports before an illness sidelined him Thursday. He was back to full participation Friday and now appears set to make his 2024 debut, returning from the ACL and MCL tears he suffered in a playoff loss to the Lions in January. Higbee has a long track record of handling huge snap counts but probably won't be tasked with that type of workload in his first game back from major surgery and a prolonged absence.

Ertz (concussion/shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Ertz was diagnosed with a concussion during the Commanders' Week 15 win at New Orleans, but after missing Wednesday's practice, he was limited Thursday while wearing a black, non-contact jersey and maintained that activity level one day later. He still must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up this weekend, and ultimately his status will be clarified about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, at the latest. John Bates and Ben Sinnott are on hand to cover for Ertz if the latter is inactive.

Russell (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

The Colorado product is now in line to miss his second consecutive game Sunday due to a foot injury. Russell has played just 33 offensive snaps over 11 appearances this season, so his absence won't significantly alter Seattle's offensive game plan. Expect the Seahawks' tight end room to consist of Noah Fant, AJ Barner and Pharaoh Brown in Week 16.

Otton (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Otton returned to practice Friday as a limited participant, using a large brace over his left knee, with Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles telling reporters that he expected the tight end to be a game-time decision Sunday. Things may not have gone as well in practice as Bowles was hoping for, and the Bucs now consider Otton unlikely to play, leaving Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp as candidates to pick up extra snaps at tight end. Durham has been getting the most playing time of the bunch in recent weeks, but he's caught just two passes all season (which is two more than Kieft or Culp).

Musgrave (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Musgrave has operated with a cap on his practice reps since the Packers designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday. He wasn't activated for the team's Week 15 win at Seattle, but coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Musgrave "potentially" may be able to play Monday against the Saints, as the tight end has "looked pretty good out there the last couple days," per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Saturday's injury report will reveal whether or not Musgrave has a designation for that contest.

Johnson (foot) was a limited practice participant Friday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

He played through the same injury last week, catching two of three targets for 12 yards in a 20-19 loss to the Commanders while handling a 71 percent snap share and 77 percent route share. Johnson's ability to log limited practices Thursday and Friday puts him on track to play Monday against the Packers, at which point he'll likely be catching passes from QB Spencer Rattler.

Njoku (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku didn't practice either Wednesday or Thursday but was able to return to the field for Friday's session. In terms of the tight end's status for this weekend's contest, head coach Kevin Stefanski told Oyefusi on Friday that Njoku is "very motivated to play. We'll see how he responds to practicing today and make the decision." Either way, with the team kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Njoku's Week 16 status will be known prior to the first wave of games.