NFL Player News

Ferguson (knee) is believed to have avoided an ACL tear based on initial tests, and X-rays on his knee came back negative Sunday, but he will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury he suffered in Sunday's 33-17 win over the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ferguson isn't out of the woods, but at least he seems to have avoided a season-ending injury to his ACL. A recovery timeline will likely be established after additional testing clarifies the nature and extent of Ferguson's injury. His next chance to take the field will be Sept. 15 against the Saints.

Smythe failed to secure any of his three targets during Sunday's 20-17 win over Jacksonville.

Smythe interestingly drew one more target than offseason addition Jonnu Smith, though the latter TE was able to secure one of those looks for seven yards. Though Smythe is the better blocker and Smith the better pass catcher, Miami seems willing to deploy both tight ends relatively interchangeably. Smythe, though, notably lacks the YAC abilities that Smith has previously demonstrated, so he'll warrant fantasy consideration only in the deepest of formats Week 2 versus Buffalo on Thursday Night Football.

Smith secured one of two targets for seven yards in the Dolphins' 20-17 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Smith actually had less targets than fellow TE Durham Smythe, who drew three looks from Tua Tagovailoa but wasn't able to log a single catch. Considering his YAC abilities and the two-year, $10 million contract Smith signed this offseason, he seemed a better candidate for pass-catching work than Smythe, even if both always projected to split positional reps. More productive days could still materialize for Smith, but Miami's aerial attack will always filter through top WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who each cleared 100 yards versus Jacksonville. Smith will look to make more of an impact against Buffalo on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.

Njoku (ankle) exited the locker room in a walking boot after Sunday's 33-17 loss to the Cowboys, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game that Njoku will have more testing done Monday on the ankle injury that he suffered in the second half of Sunday's season opener. Njoku didn't return to the game after going to the locker room with trainers in the third quarter. An update on his availability for Week 2 against the Jaguars should surface after Monday's tests, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Njoku is feared to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, which would likely entail a multi-week absence.

Pitts recorded three receptions on three targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers.

The distribution of targets in Atlanta was surprising, as Ray-Ray McCloud led the team with seven looks followed by Bijan Robinson. In that context, Pitts had a decent showing that was highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown late in the first half. Pitts has never found the end zone more than three times in a season and hadn't scored earlier than Week 5 entering 2024. Despite the disappointing volume Sunday, Kirk Cousins should elevate the Falcons' offense, in turn improving Pitts' production.

Ferguson (knee) went to the locker room in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Browns, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Ferguson went down holding his knee after getting tackled at the end of a two-yard catch, which brought him up to three catches for 15 yards on five targets. The severity of the starting tight end's injury will likely be clarified after additional testing, but with the Cowboys holding a comfortable 27-10 lead at the time of his injury, Ferguson probably won't return to action Sunday.

Njoku (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku went to the locker room with team trainers in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Cowboys, per Field Yates of ESPN. The veteran tight end went to the medical tent after taking a big hit at the end of a catch and run in the third quarter, and he gingerly made his way to the locker room shortly thereafter. Njoku had four catches on five targets for 44 yards prior to the injury.

Engram brought in one of four targets for five yards in the Jaguars' 20-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

The veteran tight end came into Week 1 with sky-high expectations due to a pair of offseason departures and his own career-best 2023, but Engram's Week 1 production was an undeniable dud. Trevor Lawrence flashed the most chemistry with newcomers Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas in the loss, and the entire air attack was ineffective as the second half unfolded. Engram will aim to revert to his typically more voluminous workload during a Week 2 visit from the Browns next Sunday.

Henry brought in two of three targets for 18 yards in the Patriots' 16-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

Henry had a quiet afternoon but certainly wasn't alone among his pass-catching teammates, as the Patriots leveraged dominant performances by Rhamondre Stevenson and their defense for a season-opening upset victory. The veteran tight end should continue to enjoy a steady role throughout the season while working with either veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye, as both should value his reliability when dropping back. However, how much passing volume there will be week to week remains an open question, so Henry's outlook isn't particularly bright heading into a Week 2 home battle against the Seahawks.

Kincaid caught one of two targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Cardinals.

Kincaid was expected to take on a larger role in Buffalo's passing game after the team traded away top receiver Stefon Diggs in the offseason, but the tight end was quiet to begin his second NFL season. Fellow tight end Dawson Knox also got two targets, catching one for 23 yards. Buffalo had 33 running plays compared to just 23 throws for Josh Allen, so a lack of volume could be a concern for Kincaid moving forward if he continues to split opportunities with Knox and the Bills keep calling a run-heavy offense. The 2023 first-round draft pick will look to bounce back Thursday in Miami.