NFL Player News

Okwuegbunam (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Cowboys.

Okwuegbunam played in the last four games as the backup tight end but failed to catch a single pass over that span. Instead, Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra will handle the backup tight end duties behind Dallas Goedert.

Conklin caught four of six targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Texans.

Conklin filled his customary role as the distant third option in New York's passing game behind Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, who combined for 17 catches, 194 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets. While Conklin has reached 50 receiving yards in six games this season, he has yet to surpass 70 yards in a game or score a touchdown heading into a Week 15 road game against the Dolphins.

Thomas is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Saints with an ankle injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

The third-string tight end did not record a catch before exiting. Thomas has four catches for 51 yards and no touchdowns in 2023.

Smartt (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Broncos, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Smartt will be the odd man out at tight end for the Chargers after appearing in all 12 games for the team this season. The team will opt to dress Nick Vannett and Stephen Anderson as their No. 3 and No. 4 tight ends behind Gerald Everett and Donald Parham, respectively.

Knox (wrist) is listed as active Sunday at Kansas City.

Since the Bills designated Knox for return from injured reserve Wednesday, he didn't have any practice restrictions but still entered the weekend as questionable for Sunday's game. With his status now confirmed for Week 14 action, he'll be making his first appearance since undergoing wrist surgery following a Week 7 loss at New England. Knox wasn't particularly productive before going on IR, hauling in 15 of 28 targets for 102 yards and one touchdown in seven appearances, so he may play second fiddle to rookie TE Dalton Kincaid as a pass catcher due to the latter's cumulative 56-474-2 line on 64 targets so far this season.

Long (knee) was carted to the locker room and is considered doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Ravens, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Long appears to have sustained a signficiant knee injury at some point during the first half, as his departure via a cart likely indicates he won't be available to return for the remainder of the contest. The third-year tight end appeared in just three game coming into Sunday, but his absence will now leave the Rams without their top two tight ends, as starter Tyler Higbee (neck) is already inactive. Brycen Hopkins and rookie Davis Allen will have to step into bigger roles for the time being.

Sullivan (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Sullivan was able to practice fully Friday, so it's not a surprise he's suiting up in New Orleans. The 27-year-old has three catches for 49 yards over the past three games with Hayden Hurst (concussion) sidelined, and Sullivan will likely have a similar offensive role Sunday with Hurst still unavailable. Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble are also active, so Carolina will likely have a three-man rotation at tight end.

Tremble (hip) is active for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

The 23-year-old was considered questionable despite putting in a full practice Friday, so it's not a major surprise he' suiting up for the divisional matchup. No. 1 tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) remains sidelined Sunday, but Tremble has just two catches for 11 yards and a touchdown in two games with Hurst out.

Johnson (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers.

A quadriceps injury capped Johnson to limited sessions during the entirety of Week 14 prep, but it won't stop him from being available to the Saints offense Sunday. With WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and TE Taysom Hill (foot/hand) inactive, Johnson could play a bigger role than usual behind the team's top pass catcher Chris Olave (illness). On the season, Johnson boasts a modest 18-142-1 line on 32 targets in eight appearances.

Higbee (neck) is listed as inactive Sunday at Baltimore, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Higbee emerged from last Sunday's win against the Browns with a neck stinger, which didn't allow him to practice during Week 14 prep. With his first absence of the season now imminent, Higbee will yield TE duties to some combination of Hunter Long, Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins. Considering that trio has combined for four catches this year, quarterback Matthew Stafford instead may turn his focus to WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and RB Kyren Williams.