NFL Player News

Akins is the only healthy tight end on the Browns' roster heading into Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

David Njoku (ankle) is considered week-to-week after hurting his ankle in the Browns' 33-17 loss to Dallas in Week 1, and he has already been ruled out against Jacksonville. Akins filled in capably after Njoku got hurt, finishing the season opener with three catches on four targets for 27 yards. The Browns will likely elevate at least one of Geoff Swaim, Cameron Latu or Blake Whiteheart from the practice squad to provide depth behind Akins.

Hudson won't participate in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Hudson caught two of his three targets for 18 yards during Cincinnati's loss to the Patriots in Week 1, but he looks to have picked up a knee injury along the way. The knee issue might have played a part in Hudson logging just nine offensive snaps Week 1, less than fellow tight ends Drew Sample (27) and Mike Gesicki (18). However, it's also possible that Hudson's playing time will lag behind the other two players even if he's able to move past the knee injury ahead of Sunday's game in Kansas City.

Stephens (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.

Stephens was unable to practice last week leading up to missing the team's Week 1 win over the Browns. His absence from practice Wednesday will have him on a trajectory to miss Sunday's game against the Saints as well, especially if he is unable to practice in any form Thursday.

Schultz did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Schultz played 79 percent of the offensive snaps in Houston's Week 1 win over Indianapolis while securing three targets for 16 yards, but he appears to have sustained an ankle injury in the process. The starting tight end will have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation before Houston potentially tags him with an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Bears. If Schultz ends up limited or has to sit out Week 2, Brevin Jordan would likely step in as the Texans' primary tight end.

Holker practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Holker missed Week 1 due to an ankle injury that's plagued him since mid-August. The undrafted rookie tight end will project to handle a depth role for New Orleans if he manages to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Cowboys.

Moreau practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a concussion.

Moreau departed in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's win against the Panthers to be evaluated for a head injury and was quickly ruled out. The Saints unsurprisingly are listing the tight end with a concussion this week, but his ability to handle some on-field work Wednesday indicates he's making progress through the five-step protocol for head injuries. In any case, Moreau will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play in Sunday's game at Dallas.

Ferguson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.

While he never stood much chance to practice three days after suffering a bone bruise and MCL sprain, Ferguson said Wednesday that his pain is already down to a "zero" on a 1-to-10 scale, per Patrick Walker of the Cowboys' official site. The injury clearly isn't as bad as it initially looked when he made an early exit from the Week 1 win at Cleveland, with Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reporting Wednesday that head coach Mike McCarthy is optimistic about Ferguson's chances of playing against the Saints this Sunday. Even if he doesn't end up playing this week, Ferguson should avoid a stint on injured reserve and push to return within the next few games.

Tremble (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Tremble has been sidelined since August and missed Week 1, but he now has a shot at playing this Sunday against the Chargers. Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders handled a 71 percent snap share and 66 percent route share in the season opener at New Orleans, catching his lone target for four yards, with Jordan Matthews taking on 36 percent snap share as the No. 2 tight end for an offense that was missing Tremble and Ian Thomas (hamstring). Both Sanders and Matthews could lose playing time once Tremble returns.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Ferguson (knee) will work with the rehab group at practice Wednesday, and the Cowboys remain optimistic about his chances of playing Sunday against the Saints, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee during Dallas' win over the Browns in Week 1, but he's surprisingly not yet been ruled out for Week 2. The tight end will have two more opportunities to upgrade his practice participation before receiving an injury designation for the weekend. If Ferguson is able to make enough progress, the Cowboys may not hesitate to clear him to play versus New Orleans. Backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke will both be candidates to handle increased offensive reps in the event that Ferguson misses any time.

Firkser reverted to the Jets' practice squad Wednesday.

Firsker was promoted by the team to the active roster ahead of their Monday night loss to the 49ers, which saw him play one snap on offense and nine on special teams.