NFL Player News

Stephens (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Stephens was limited throughout the practice week. With Jake Ferguson due back this week, Stephens may be inactive either way. Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford are set for backup duties behind Ferguson.

Kittle (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kittle was first listed on the injury report Thursday as a non-participant and then missed another practice Friday. It's bad timing for a 49ers offense that's already without RB Christian McCaffrey (IR, Achilles) and WR Deebo Samuel (out, calf), leaving WR Brandon Aiyuk as the far-and-away No. 1 option after he caught only six of 10 targets for 71 yards over the first two weeks of the season. Eric Saubert figures to start at tight end this Sunday, but Aiyuk and fellow wideout Jauan Jennings are more likely to benefit from Kittle's absence in a way that matters for fantasy football. Jake Tonges could play ahead of Saubert in passing situations, and it's also possible the various injuries lead to FB Kyle Juszczyk getting more snaps and/or touches.

Gesicki (calf) remained limited in practice Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Gesicki has logged back-to-back limited sessions as the Bengals prepare to face the Commanders on Monday. He'll look to raise his participation and avoid Saturday's injury report altogether, which would be a relief for Gesicki's fantasy managers, as alternatives will be limited for those relying on Gesicki to fill a lineup spot Monday.

Pruitt (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

In Pittsburgh's heavy-tight end offense, Pruitt has played 68 offensive snaps and has recorded one catch for nine yards on two targets. With Pruitt out against Los Angeles, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward will soak up the snaps.

Fant (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Fant's good to go, while backup Pharaoh Brown (knee) is listed as questionable. Despite handling at least 75 percent of the snaps on offense in both of Seattle's first two games, Fant has seen minimal involvement in the passing attack, catching just three of seven targets for 25 yards. He'll look to turn his significant playing time into more production Sunday against a Dolphins team that has allowed just 38 yards to tight ends through two games.

Kraft (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Kraft was a limited participant in all three of Green Bay's practices during the week, but he did enough to avoid an injury designation and plans to suit up Sunday. He has worked ahead of fellow second-year pro Luke Musgrave thus far in 2023, and while Green Bay hasn't utilized the tight end position much in the passing game, Kraft's ceiling would get a substantial boost if starting quarterback Jordan Love (questionable, knee) gains clearance to return after missing the previous game.

Engram (hamstring) didn't practice Friday.

Engram has missed Jacksonville's first two practices in preparation for Monday's game against the Bills after getting hurt in pregame warmups ahead of the team's Week 2 loss to the Browns. Brenton Strange filled in atop Jacksonville's tight end depth chart and posted 65 receiving yards in Engram's absence. While Engram will have one more chance to take the practice field Saturday before Jacksonville publishes its Week 3 injury report, his fantasy managers should start lining up alternatives, as Engram appears to be trending toward another absence.

Ferguson (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Ferguson was a full practice participant Friday, upgrading from limited the previous two days. He missed only one game after suffering an MCL sprain Week 1, giving QB Dak Prescott his full complement of pass catchers with WR CeeDee Lamb (ankle) also avoiding a Week 3 injury designation. Ferguson profiles as a mid-to-low-range fantasy starter at the production-lacking TE position even with some added risk of an in-game injury/setback.

Kittle (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's a poor sign for his Week 3 availability after Kittle was a mid-week addition to the injury report, as he initially was listed as a non-participant Thursday. Another absence suggests this is more than just caution over minor soreness or tightness, likely setting Kittle up for a game designation on the final injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Rams.

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

Akins had just one target and actually handled a lower snap share (49 percent) in Njoku's absence Week 2 than he did in the season opener, when Njoku exited early and Akins proceeded to catch three of four targets for 27 yards while playing 57 percent of the snaps on offense. Blake Whiteheart was elevated from the practice squad to provide depth behind Akins last week, which may happen again for Sunday's game.