NFL Player News

Long (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Long was placed on IR with a hamstring injury in early September. The Rams designated him to return this week, and the tight end was able to log three full practice sessions. However, the team isn't yet ready to activate him. Long's next chance to make his regular-season debut with Los Angeles will come Week 9 in Green Bay.

Graham (illness) is questionable to play in Sunday's Week 8 matchup against Indianapolis.

There appears to be a bug going around the Saints' locker room, as Graham is among three players listed as questionable due to an illness heading into the weekend. The veteran tight end has just one catch so far this season, though that was an eight-yard touchdown grab Week 3 against the Packers.

Jordan (foot) has been deemed out for Sunday's contest in Carolina.

Jordan practiced in limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday. That unpromising sequence has resulted in him being ruled out for Week 8. Jordan hasn't gotten more than two targets or played more than 20 percent of Houston's offensive snaps in any game so far this season, so his absence Sunday is unlikely to cause many fantasy waves.

Njoku (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after practicing in a limited fashion Thursday and Friday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The tight end sat out Wednesday's practice, but in the wake of consecutive limited sessions, Njoku -- who caught five of his nine targets for a season-high 54 yards in last weekend's win over the Colts -- has been cleared for Sunday. In six games to date, Njoku has recorded a 24-216-0 receiving line on 31 targets.

Everett (hip) practiced fully Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Everett has trended in the right direction throughout the week, upgrading from no practice activity Wednesday to limited participation Thursday before taking every rep in Friday's session. He exited the Chargers' Week 7 loss to the Chiefs with what was previously termed as a quadricep injury. While Everett's full participation Friday suggests he's more likely than not to suit up, his questionable tag may cause unease for those relying on the tight end in fantasy. Replacement options will be limited since the Chargers don't kick off until 8:20 p.m. on Sunday.

Henry (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Henry was removed from the injury report Friday and will look to shake his recent slump Sunday in Miami. After notching at least five targets in each of New England's first four games and topping 50 yards three times over that span, Henry has just eight targets and 34 receiving yards in the last three games combined. In the Patriots' previous matchup with Miami in Week 2, Henry caught six of seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Johnson (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Indianapolis.

Johnson is cleared to return from a four-game absence after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. He'll likely return his role as the Saints' top pass-caching tight end, a job that had largely been filled by Taysom Hill (chest) in recent weeks.

Musgrave (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Minnesota, with head coach Matt LaFleur suggesting Friday that he's been impressed by the tight end's progress, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports. "He's one tough sucker now," LaFleur said. "I don't think too many guys would've been able to come back that quickly from what happened to him."

Fantasy managers should view the tight end as a game-time decision ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday, considering LaFleur's optimism didn't extend to making any predictions about the tight end's availability this Sunday. Fellow rookie Tucker Kraft played every snap on offense last week after Musgrave's departure early in the fourth quarter of a 19-17 loss to the Broncos, but that won't necessarily be the plan if the Packers are forced to play without their starting tight end again. Musgrave was in a walking boot earlier this week before returning to practice Friday as a limited participant, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

Hockenson (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup with the Packers.

Hockenson's availability comes as no surprise after the foot injury cost him just a snap or three during a 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday. He finished the game with season highs for catches (11), yards (86) and targets (12), pushing his per-game averages up to 6.7 receptions for 55.7 yards. The volume alone makes Hockenson a strong No. 1 tight end for fantasy teams, even with his average depth of target sitting at a career-low 6.3 and his red-zone target share at a surprisingly low 10.5 percent. The latter number will likely rise as the season progresses, particularly given that target-hogging wideout Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will miss at least two more games while on injured reserve.

Waller (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com relays that the Giants have confidence Waller will be available this weekend, even though the tight end was a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday. Waller is coming off a season-best 8-97-1 receiving line in last week's win over the Commanders and is on track to again serve as the top target for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who will make a third consecutive start in place of Daniel Jones (neck). Jones still doesn't have medical clearance for contact and appears in serious danger of missing more games beyond Week 8.