NFL Player News

Kieft (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Kieft opened the week with back-to-back DNPs due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Broncos. The 2022 sixth-round pick has given himself a chance at playing Sunday after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. If Kieft cannot play in Week 4, then rookie seventh-round pick Devin Culp would serve as the Bucs' No. 3 tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that the Vikings will discuss whether to open Hockenson's (knee) window next week when he's first eligible to practice, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Minnesota placed Hockenson on the reserve/PUP list on cut-down day Aug. 27, thus ruling him out for the first four games of the campaign as he continued his recovery from ACL and MCL tears that he suffered in his right knee Dec. 24 of last season. During Week 1 prep, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the team was believed to be targeting a return for Hockenson following the team's Week 6 bye, and now that seems to be the likely goal because the Vikings' Week 5 matchup with the Jets will be taking place in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, whose surface is synthetic for NFL games. If Minnesota takes such a course with Hockenson, a Week 7 showdown with his former team, the Lions, awaits Sunday, Oct. 20. In the meantime, Johnny Mundt (five targets this season) and Josh Oliver (two) will continue to man tight end for the Vikings.

Hurst (Achilles) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chiefs and is expected to play.

Hurst was limited Wednesday and Thursday, but he got in a full practice Friday and is cleared to play against Kansas City. The veteran tight end has yet to top two catches in a game this season and enters Week 4 with a 5-53-0 receiving line. Hurst isn't a recommended fantasy play.

Fant (toe) remained limited in Friday's practice, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

The toe injury is nothing new for the veteran tight end, and he's played through it all year to this point. Fant's fantasy stock gets a slight boost this week in what projects as a shootout at Ford Field against the Lions. On the season, Fant has a 9-85-0 line on 13 targets and is coming off a six-catch game in Week 3.

Henry (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

After logging limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, Henry worked in full to close out the week, setting the stage for him to be available to face San Francisco on the road this weekend. Henry's been a hit-or-miss fantasy option out of the gate this season in the Patriots' Jacoby Brissett-helmed offense, with two-catch efforts in Weeks 1 and 3, and an 8-109-0 line on 12 targets in the team's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks. In that context, he profiles as a speculative lineup option for Week 4, given the inconsistency of his team's passing game.

Allen (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Allen has missed the last two games but was upgraded to a full practice Friday after getting in limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday. If Allen is able to return against the Bears, it would likely push Hunter Long back to TE3 duties. Colby Parkinson has virtually been an every-down tight end for Los Angeles.

Kittle (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle returned to practice Wednesday and continued participating throughout the week, eventually showing enough to avoid a game designation. Deebo Samuel, meanwhile, is listed as questionable with a calf injury, so it isn't yet clear if the 49ers will have all of their top pass catchers available.

Musgrave (quadriceps) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.

Both of the Packers' top two tight ends tended to injuries this week, but Tucker Kraft was able to get back to full participation Thursday, while Musgrave did the same Friday. Considering both are clear for Week 4 action, Musgrave will continue to work behind Kraft, which so far has equated to snap shares in the range of 25-56 percent and a cumulative 2-9-0 line on four targets.

Engram (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Engram, who last saw game action Week 1, thus will target a potential return to action Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Colts. In Engram's continued absence, Brenton Strange once again is slated to lead the Jaguars' TE corps this weekend.

LaPorta (ankle) was a full participant in practice Friday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

LaPorta thus is set to play in Monday's game against the Seahawks, with full practice participation confirming a quick recovery from the ankle sprain that limited his snaps in the second half of last week's win over the Cardinals. He's been a huge disappointment to fantasy managers this season, but the overall struggles of the TE position make it especially wise to practice patience.