NFL Player News

Hudson (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Hudson has been sidelined since the Week 1 opener versus New England. In his absence, Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample and rookie Erick All have claimed tight end duties in Cincinnati. If Hudson is cleared to play Sunday, it's unclear how much action he'll see on offense.

Mayer (personal) won't play in Sunday's game against the Browns, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Mayer showed up on the Raiders' injury report Thursday as a non-participant due to a personal matter, which now won't allow him to suit up Week 4. Brock Bowers is the clear-cut top tight end for Las Vegas, but Harrison Bryant and practice-squad members Justin Shorter and John Samuel Shenker will be candidates to fill in behind the rookie first-rounder in place of Mayer.

Carlson suffered a serious collarbone injury during Thursday's practice and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Carlson's injury happened while he was catching a pass on the final play of Thursday's session, and it sounds like he's looking at a multi-week recovery at the very least. He had just signed with the 53-man roster off the practice squad earlier in the week. Carlson played only one special teams snap for the Bears last season and otherwise hasn't appeared on offense in a regular-season contest since 2020 with Cleveland.

Oliver (wrist) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Packers and is expected to play, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Oliver missed some practice reps earlier in the week with the wrist issue but is good to go in a key divisional matchup with Green Bay. The veteran tight end has played more of a blocking role alongside Johnny Mundt at tight end for the Vikings. Oliver has two catches for 27 yards on three targets through three games.

Higgins is expected to play an expanded role in Sunday's game against the Commanders, as Trey McBride (concussion) has been ruled out, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Higgins is the logical next man up at tight end for the Cardinals, as his 30 pass routes are second to McBride's 84 at the position in Arizona. On that limited playing time, Higgins has reeled in all four of his targets for 41 yards and one touchdown. Higgins was a sixth-round choice in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, but he was amongst Miami's final cuts last year and was claimed off waivers by Arizona. Higgins is an above-average athlete and is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues this week against Washington.

LaPorta (ankle) returned to practice Friday, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

It's his first practice of the week, and he'll have another opportunity Saturday before the Lions host the Seahawks on Monday. LaPorta played through the ankle injury during last week's win at Arizona, but his playing time was scaled way back in the second half after he suffered the injury at the end of the second quarter.

Akins again is expected to operate as Cleveland's top tight end Sunday against the Raiders, as David Njoku (ankle) has been ruled out for a third consecutive game.

Akins set season bests in last week's loss to the Giants, working 67 percent of the offensive snaps into a 4-29-0 line on seven targets. The veteran tight end has eight catches for 66 scoreless yards on 12 targets through three games but hasn't shown much of a ceiling for fantasy purposes. He looks like a touchdown-or-bust fantasy bet versus Las Vegas.

McBride (concussion) will not play Sunday against the Commanders, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Coach Jonathan Gannon made the announcement Friday morning, with McBride still unable to practice after taking a big hit and entering concussion protocol during last week's 20-13 loss to the Lions. McBride's Week 4 absence leaves Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman as Arizona's top tight ends, with Higgins being more likely to draw enough targets to generate fantasy interest.

Coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Njoku (ankle) isn't slated to practice Friday and won't play Sunday against the Raiders, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

With Njoku in line to miss his third straight contest, Jordan Akins will continue to lead the Browns' tight end corps versus Las Vegas, while Blake Whiteheart is on hand in reserve. Geoff Swaim and Cameron Latu are possible practice squad elevations. Njoku will target a potential return to action Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Commanders.

Speaking with the media Friday, coach Doug Pederson said Engram (hamstring) is doubtful to play Sunday against the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Injured in pregame warmups ahead of Week 2, Engram hasn't practiced since and remains a question mark ahead of Week 5 against the Colts. Brenton Strange has started in Engram's place the last two weeks, reeling in five of 11 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown. Strange remains a fringe TE1 or TE2 for fantasy purposes for however long Engram is sidelined.