NFL Player News

Allen (back) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Cardinals, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Allen was originally deemed doubtful on Friday's final injury report, but his status was subsequently downgraded to out. The tight end is dealing with a back injury that kept him out of practice entirely throughout the week. Allen's upcoming absence Sunday will likely move Hunter Long into the Rams' No. 2 tight-end role behind Colby Parkinson.

Spann-Ford is on track to back up Luke Schoonmaker in Week 2 versus the Saints, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

With Jake Ferguson (knee) doubtful, Spann-Ford is on track to back up Schoonmaker at tight end. Spann-Ford was on the field for 18 offensive snaps in Week 1 but didn't receive any targets. Given his move up the depth chart, he could potentially see a little more action against New Orleans.

Brown (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Brown is now in line to miss his second consecutive game in Week 2 as he recovers from the foot injury he sustained in mid-August. Expect AJ Barner to continue serving as Seattle's No. 2 tight end until Brown has recovered enough to make his Seahawks debut.

Allen (back) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Allen was held out of practice all week due to a back issue, so it's no surprise that he likely won't be suiting up in Week 2. If the Clemson product misses Sunday's contest as expected, Hunter Long will likely serve as the Rams' No. 2 tight end behind Colby Parkinson.

Schoonmaker is in line to be the Cowboys' No. 1 tight end Sunday against the Saints with Jake Ferguson (knee) doubtful to play, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

A 2023 second-round pick, Schoonmaker has yet to miss a game in his brief NFL career, but he also has just eight catches (on 15 targets) for 65 yards and two touchdowns in 18 regular-season contests. As such, he won't hold as much sway as Ferguson for as long as the latter is sidelined due to an MCL sprain, but the increased opportunity for Schoonmaker should result in more regular looks from quarterback Dak Prescott. The other options to fill in at the position are Brevyn Spann-Ford and practice-squad member Princeton Fant.

Schultz (ankle) was a full participant in practice Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Schultz sat out a pair of practices Wednesday and Thursday, but it looks like those absences were mostly for maintenance, as he will again be able to play through the ankle injury he suffered early in the 29-22 Week 1 win over the Colts. He stayed in that game after initially sustaining the injury. Schultz's fantasy managers can deploy him as usual when the Texans host the Bears for Sunday Night Football.

Moreau (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Dallas, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Moreau was a limited practice participant Wednesday before upgrading to full Thursday and Friday. The lack of an injury designation suggests he's already cleared concussion protocol and will handle his normal role against the Cowboys. Moreau ran routes on only 44 percent of the Saints' pass plays in a Week 1 blowout of the Panthers, but he played 77 percent of snaps overall and put up a 4-43-1 line with four targets on his 11 routes.

Ferguson (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against New Orleans, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday morning that Ferguson would miss another practice but could still play in Sunday's game if he returns for a light practice Saturday and looks comfortable working out. The Cowboys apparently consider it highly unlikely, setting up Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford to fill in at tight end ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Ferguson is recovering from an MCL sprain suffered in the Week 1 win over Cleveland, and while he said the pain subsided quickly, he may still be bothered by stiffness and/or swelling.

Ferguson (knee) didn't practice Friday, but coach Mike McCarthy said the tight end still could play Sunday against the Saints if he practices Saturday, Patrick Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Ferguson hasn't practiced this week, even though he said Wednesday that his pain was a "zero" on a 1-10 scale, per Walker. Playing in a game seven days after suffering an MCL sprain has always been somewhat of a long shot, but it's at least promising for Ferguson's Week 3 availability that the Cowboys haven't yet ruled him out for Week 2. It sounds like Ferguson will be listed as questionable or doubtful on the final injury report Friday afternoon.

Knox wasn't targeted in Thursday's 31-10 win over the Dolphins.

Knox surprisingly matched Dalton Kincaid with two targets apiece in Week 1, but the Week 2 distribution was closer to preseason expectations, with Kincaid getting all four targets among Buffalo's tight ends. Barring an injury to Kincaid, Knox will likely be used primarily in a blocking role in Week 3 against the Jaguars and beyond.