NFL Player News

Coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged Monday that McBride remains in the concussion protocol, but he's "looking good" in his recovery, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

McBride sustained a concussion during the Cardinals' Week 3 loss to the Lions, and he wasn't able to practice last week before the team ruled him out ahead of this past Sunday's game against the Commanders. Arizona won't reconvene for practice until Wednesday, when the team will post its first injury report of Week 5. At that point, McBride's ability, or lack thereof, to take part in drills may forecast his odds to suit up Sunday at San Francisco. In McBride's place Week 4, TEs Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman served as co-starters, but only Higgins (2-12-0 on three targets) made an impact in the box score.

Kieft (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.

Kieft was able to play through his ankle injury in the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles, tallying 22 total snaps (three offensive and 19 on special teams) without recording a stat. The third-year tight end is still expected to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Falcons unless his participation is downgraded either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he expects Njoku (ankle) to practice this week, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Stefanski declined to state whether he expects Njoku to actually suit up Week 5 against the Commanders, but it's at least encouraging that the athletic tight end is on track to get back on the field. Njoku missed last Friday's practice before being ruled out for a third straight contest, despite having logged a limited session Thursday. Jordan Akins has handled the Browns' starting tight end gig for three consecutive games with Njoku sidelined, securing six of 10 targets for 49 yards and zero touchdowns in that span.

Kolar was not targeted on 18 snaps against the Bills on Sunday night.

Kolar continues to have a role as a blocker as he's played at least a third of Baltimore's snaps on offense in back-to-back weeks, but his usage in the passing game is minimal. Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews are struggling to draw targets, so it stands to reason that Kolar also isn't getting much work in that facet of the game. The Ravens face the Bengals on the road Week 5.

Likely had one catch for 26 yards on two targets in Sunday's win over the Bills.

Likely's usage continues to be a fraction of what it was in the season opener, when he drew 12 targets. He made a splash with his lone catch Sunday night with an impressive leaping grab for a 26-yard gain that was Baltimore's longest completion of the night. Likely is playing a healthy snap share at 60 percent over the first four games. However, Baltimore has gone to a more run-heavy approach of late and is mixing and matching its tight-end personnel. This development not only is limiting Likely's chances, but the entire group of pass catchers as a whole. The Ravens have attempted fewer than 20 passes in each of the last two games, both of which were wins. Likely and the Ravens head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals in Week 5.

Thomas (calf) is expected to be designated to return from injured reserve this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Thomas has missed the minimum four games and is now eligible to return to action. Once he is officially designated to return, he'll be able to practice with the team, but that doesn't guarantee he'll return this Sunday against the Bears. More clarity on his status for the matchup will likely come later in the week.

Washington secured both of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts.

Washington didn't have more than five receiving yards in any of the first three games of the season, but he tallied double-digit yards on both of his receptions during Sunday's defeat. He still didn't see as much work as starting tight end Pat Freiermuth, who secured five of seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. Although Washington looked good when he had the ball in his hands Sunday, he hasn't yet carved out a high enough target share to make him a reliable fantasy option.

Strange secured all three of his targets for 19 yards during Sunday's' 24-20 loss to the Texans.

Strange has drawn three straight starts at tight end with Evan Engram (hamstring) sidelined, and has been the busier pass-catcher over Luke Farrell (zero catches, one target versus Houston). In that span, Strange has caught eight of 14 targets for 96 yards and one score. If Engram is able to get back on the field against the Colts in Week 5, however, Strange figures to return to a depth role.

Hurst caught one of his three targets for six yards in the 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.

Hurst played more than his teammate Will Dissly (35 snaps to 20), but the Chargers' two-TE sets haven't been favorable for either player's pass-catching production. The team's run-heavy offensive scheme is limiting the fantasy upside of both tight ends, as neither Hurst nor Dissly have topped 35 yards in a game this season.

Dissly caught two of his three targets for 24 yards in the 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.

Hayden Hurst saw the bigger side of the tight end platoon this week, tallying 35 snaps compared to Dissly's 20, but it was the latter who had the marginally better fantasy day. Neither tight end is in a viable fantasy situation given the Chargers' preference to run the ball and rely on their defense to keep games close.