NFL Player News

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.

Ferguson secured all seven targets for 49 yards in the Cowboys' 20-15 win over the Giants on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Dallas.

Ferguson tied CeeDee Lamb for the team lead in receptions while checking in second to his teammate in both receiving yards and targets. The third-year tight end generated a combined 13-144-0 line on 18 targets over Weeks 3 and 4, further cementing that he's essentially developed into the team's No. 2 pass catcher behind Lamb, at least for the moment. Ferguson should be poised for another busy day when the Cowboys travel to take on the vaunted Steelers defense on Sunday, Oct. 6, a game in which the tight end's prowess in the short and intermediate passing windows might be especially relevant given the limited time Dak Prescott may often have.

Brown (foot) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Brown was held out of the first two games of the season due to a foot injury he sustained during training camp. He made his regular-season debut in Week 3 against the Dolphins, when he caught one pass (on two targets) for nine yards while playing 26 snaps on offense. His limited session Thursday could just be injury management, and Brown will have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Monday's game against the Lions.

Fant (toe) was limited in practice Thursday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Fant has been tending to a toe injury all season, but he's been able to suit up for all three of the Seahawks' games, culminating in a 6-60-0 line on six targets during this past Sunday's win against the Dolphins. Such output easily surpassed the combined three catches (on seven targets) for 25 yards that he had in the first two contests, signaling volatility from week to week for fantasy purposes. In any case, Fant will have two more chances this week to prove his health before Seattle potentially hands him a designation for Monday's visit to the Lions.

McBride (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

McBride's lack of involvement Thursday doesn't come as much of a surprise after he wasn't present during the media-access portion of the session, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. The third-year pro thus seems to be trending in the wrong direction due to the fact he hasn't made any noticeable progress through the concussion protocol. Ultimately, the Cardinals may make a ruling on McBride's availability on Friday's injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders. If he eventually sits out this weekend, fellow TE Elijah Higgins would be the primary beneficiary for fantasy purposes, though rookie third-rounder Tip Reiman may actually see more snaps than Higgins due to his blocking prowess.

Stephens (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Giants, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Stephens missed the first three games of the regular season due to a hamstring issue, but he appears to be healthy scratch for Thursday's contest. His next opportunity to suit up will be Week 5 against the Steelers on Oct. 6. Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford will be the Cowboys' three tight ends for Thursday's game.

Kittle (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle has put together back-to-back capped sessions during Week 4 prep, implying that he's doing everything in his power to keep his absence to just one game after he popped up on last Thursday's injury report due to hamstring tightness. He may have to upgrade to full at Friday's practice in order to go into the weekend without a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Patriots.