NFL Player News

Njoku (ankle) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.

Njoku was able to log multiple limited practices this week, setting the stage for a return from a three-game absence. Assuming no limitations, Njoku will presumably retake the role of primary tight end from Jordan Akins, who had been filling in during his absence. Though it's a small sample size, the Commanders have been tough against tight ends this season, giving up the second-fewest fantasy points per game in both standard and PPR formats.

McBride (ribs) is listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday versus San Francisco, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McBride missed Week 4 against Washington while in concussion protocol but was able to return to full practice sessions Thursday and Friday during Week 5 prep. However, he surprisingly popped back up on the injury report Saturday due to an injury to his ribs and was given a questionable tag. Despite the fact that he's now nursing a new injury, McBride looks like he will be able to play through the issue Sunday, ensuring that the Cardinals have one of their top pass catchers for a key NFC West battle with the 49ers. The Cardinals won't officially clear McBride to play until they release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Kittle (ribs) is listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday versus the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kittle missed a pair of practices during Week 5 prep but was able to return to a limited practice session Friday. The limited session looks to have been enough for the 49ers to feel confident about Kittle's chances of playing Sunday, and it doesn't appear that he'll have any limitations. Kittle missed Week 3 against the Rams due to a hamstring injury, then hurt his ribs in the first half of the team's Week 4 win against New England but was able to return after halftime and finish out the contest. An official ruling on Kittle's status for Sunday's game will come around 2:35 p.m. ET, when the 49ers will release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Musgrave, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams due to an ankle issue, will go through a pregame warmup with the hope of playing Week 5, but he'll be "limited at best" if he's active for the contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Musgrave has been managing an ankle injury all week and wasn't able to participate in any practice sessions. Though he's aiming to play at less than full health, the tight end is shaping as a game-time call ahead of the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, and his fantasy ceiling will be limited if he does suit up. As it is, Musgrave has logged over 50 percent of Green Bay's offensive snaps in only one contest this season and has just five receptions for 22 yards through four games.

Njoku (ankle) is listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Njoku missed the past three games due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered against Dallas in Week 1. He managed just two limited practices this week, though it's worth noting that his absence from Thursday's session was a scheduled day off. Because he isn't yet practicing fully and is coming off a three-game absence, Njoku could be subject to a more limited snap count than what he might usually handle. The Browns elevated tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad Saturday as insurance for Njoku.

Hill (ribs) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's matchup against the Chiefs, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Hill failed to practice all week as the Swiss army knife of an offensive player is dealing with fractured ribs suffered in Week 4. Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson will likely each take a share of the work, but neither can comfortably fill the shoes of Hill from a fantasy perspective.

Thomas (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas gave himself a shot at returning from injured reserve after logging limited practice sessions all week, but he'll have to wait until Week 6 against Atlanta to potentially make his 2024 debut. Thomas has been on IR since injuring his calf in early September.

Engram (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, is not expected to play, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Engram sustained the hamstring injury during pregame warmups back in Week 2, and the talented tight end looks as though he'll miss a fourth consecutive game as a result. He had been a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday, but the Jaguars may want to see Engram upgrade to full participation before clearing him for game action. Brenton Strange has taken over as the clear starter in Engram's absence, tallying eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown across 14 targets over the past three contests.

The Cardinals list McBride as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a rib injury.

McBride cleared concussion protocol earlier this week after missing the team's Week 4 loss to the Commanders, but despite being a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday, he apparently picked up a rib injury at some point along the way. Elijah Higgins was the de facto starting tight end in his absence last week and would likely see most of the playing time if McBride were to miss a second straight game. Expect more clarity on McBride's status to emerge when the Cardinals release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Browns elevated Swaim from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Swaim will be elevated for a third straight week to provide depth at tight end in case David Njoku (ankle) is unable to play Sunday against the Commanders. This is the last time Cleveland can call Swaim up from the practice squad, and even if he's inactive for Sunday's contest, he would need to be signed to the active roster in order to suit up for the Browns moving forward.