NFL Player News

LaPorta (calf) is listed as active Sunday in Tampa Bay.

LaPorta made a sudden appearance on the Lions' practice report Thursday, sitting out that session due to a calf injury. Coach Dan Campbell revealed Friday that LaPorta was dealing with a calf strain, which the rookie second-round pick said he likely suffered last Sunday against the Panthers before it flared up at Wednesday's practice, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, LaPorta's status for Sunday was subject to a pregame workout, and after checking out OK, he'll be available versus a Buccaneers defense that has contained opposing TEs to a 21-152-0 line on 29 targets through four games on the campaign.

Andrews caught four of six targets for 69 yards in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Titans.

While Zay Flowers led the Ravens in catches and was on the other end of Lamar Jackson's only TD, it was Andrews who paced the team in receiving yards, with much of his damage coming on a 38-yard grab in the fourth quarter that was the longest of the day for Baltimore. The veteran tight end has caught at least four passes in five straight games after missing the team's opener, posting a 24-294-3 line on 34 targets. He could be headed for a big day in Week 7 against a Lions defense that allowed the most catches and the second-most yards to TEs through its first five games.

FitzPatrick (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

FitzPatrick was active for the previous four games, but he played primarily on special teams. In his absence, Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith and MyCole Pruitt are the only active tight ends for Atlanta on Sunday.

Sullivan (hip) is active for Sunday's game against Miami.

Sullivan has yet to play this season but was activated from injured reserve Saturday. He practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday, and could serve a depth offensive role in the absence of Ian Thomas (calf).

Njoku (hand) is active Week 6 against the 49ers.

Njoku continues to tend to burns on his hands and face sustained prior to the team's Week 4 loss to Baltimore (which he played in), and he'll again take the field this week, as anticipated. He'll have to do so with his third quarterback of the season, as PJ Walker will be filling in for Deshaun Watson, who continues to tend to a shoulder injury. Further working against Njoku is the matchup, as the 49ers are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends in PPR formats.

Whyle exited Sunday's game against the Ravens to be evaluated for a concussion, Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

Per the report, Whyle, who caught his only target for 11 yards Sunday prior to his exit, is not slated to return to the contest. In his absence, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco and Kevin Rader are available to handle the Titans' TE duties.

The Lions are reportedly planning for LaPorta (calf) to be active for Sunday's game against the the Buccaneers, Jeff Darlington of ESPN reports.

Darlington's report supports the notion previously relayed by Adam Schefter of ESPN that LaPorta is trending in the right direction ahead of the contest. That said, Schefter suggested that the tight end was expected to work out pre-game to finalize his availability, so those considering LaPorta in Week 6 lineups are still advised to verify his status ahead of Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff.

LaPorta (calf), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, appears to be trending in the right direction as the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Before finalizing a decision on LaPorta's status, the Lions will put the rookie tight end through a pregame workout to see how his strained calf responds. LaPorta sat out Thursday's practice with the injury before returning to the field Friday in a limited fashion, and he's seemingly made some progress since that time. Though the Lions will know after the workout whether LaPorta will play, fantasy managers may not hear word on his status one way or the other until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Brock Wright would step in as the Lions' starting tight end if LaPorta is unable to go.

Knox (wrist), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Despite carrying a questionable tag into Sunday, Knox was able to practice Wednesday through Friday, albeit in a limited fashion. Though Knox is expected to play through his health concern, the status of fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid (concussion) is less certain. Like Knox, Kincaid was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, but no reports have surfaced yet indicating that Kincaid cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. If Kincaid ends up on the inactive list ahead of the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, Knox could have a path to playing more snaps and running more routes than usual.

Waller (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Buffalo, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Waller finished the week with two consecutive limited practice sessions to take a designation into Sunday, but the Giants are apparently optimistic he'll be able to play through the health concern. With Sunday's game starting at 8:20 p.m. ET, Waller's status won't be officially confirmed until the team releases its inactive list approximately 90 minutes before kickoff. If Waller is cleared to play, he could struggle to replicate his 8-86-0 receiving line and 11 targets in Week 5 while playing with fill-in starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in place of the injured Daniel Jones (neck).