NFL Player News

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.

Hurst (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh.

Hurst kicked off Week 3 prep with back-to-back limited sessions due to an ankle injury, but it won't stop him from being available this weekend. There's a cloud hanging over QB Justin Herbert due to a high ankle sprain, which eventually may thrust Easton Stick into the starting lineup Sunday. Hurst has turned only five targets into three catches for 38 yards through two games this season, indicating his lack of sway in the Chargers' passing game.

Allen (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against San Francisco, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Rams' No. 2 tight end will miss his second straight game. With Allen out last Sunday against the Cardinals, Colby Parkinson was essentially an every-down tight end before the starters were pulled late in the blowout loss. Hunter Long played 10 snaps mostly in mop-up duty and will be Parkinson's backup against the 49ers.

Njoku (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Giants, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku wasn't able to practice this week and thus will miss his second straight game. In the tight end's continued absence, Jordan Akins is in line to see added snaps versus New York, while Cameron Latu, Geoff Swaim and Blake Whiteheart are potential practice-squad elevations ahead of Week 3 action.

Njoku (ankle) remained sidelined at Friday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told Oyefusi on Friday that Njoku is unlikely to play Sunday against the Giants, so the tight end's continued absence from practice isn't surprising. Friday's injury report will reveal if Njoku heads into the weekend with any chance of suiting up for Week 3 action.

Hooper was on the field for 30 of a possible 52 snaps on offense in Thursday's 24-3 loss to the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

In a game in which the Patriots offense was held in check, Hooper caught one of his four targets for 19 yards, while fellow TE Hunter Henry (33 snaps) hauled in two of his three targets for nine yards. Hooper's fantasy upside remains modest as long as Henry remains available.

Henry was on the field for 33 of the Patriots' 52 snaps on offense in Thursday's 24-3 loss to the Jets en route to catching two of his three targets for nine yards in the contest, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After racking up eight catches on a team-high 12 targets for 109 yards in this past Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Seahawks, Henry's volume dipped Thursday night in a game in which New England's offense stalled. Meanwhile, WR DeMario Douglas led the team with nine targets. Looking ahead, Henry figures to have outings where he'll make more of an impact, but the team's inconsistent passing attack makes him a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

Ruckert caught both of his targets for 15 yards in Thursday's 24-3 win over the Patriots.

Ruckert made his first two catches of the season as Aaron Rodgers completed multiple passes to eight different players. While this was Ruckert's best game of the young season, that was also the case for Tyler Conklin, who cemented his standing as the Jets' top tight end with five catches for a team-high 93 yards on six targets.

Conklin brought in five of six targets for 93 yards in the Jets' 24-3 win over the Patriots on Thursday night.

Conklin was the surprise co-leader in receptions on the night for the Jets while also setting the pace in receiving yards by a very wide margin. Conklin recorded multiple chunk gains, including his game-long 22-yard grab in the second quarter that got the ball down to the Patriots' six-yard line. There had been preseason talk of Conklin being a potential beneficiary of Rodgers being under center, but Thursday night was the first time that came to fruition after the veteran tight end generated just a 2-16-0 line through the first two games. Conklin will look to carry over the momentum into a Week 4 home matchup against the Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Russell (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Russell opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity Thursday. His participation in Friday's session will provide a better indication of his status for Week 3 against the Dolphins. Russell has primarily operated on special teams over the first two games of the regular season, and while he is listed as the Seahawks' fourth tight end on the depth chart, he could see more action Sunday if Noah Fant (toe) and/or Pharaoh Brown (foot) cannot play.