NFL Player News

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).

Njoku (face/hand), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Njoku is still recovering from burns to his face and hand from an accident that occurred at his home Sept. 29, but he proceeded to play just two days later in the Browns' Week 4 loss to the Ravens. Despite sitting out the Browns' first two practices following a Week 5 bye, Njoku was able to take a questionable tag into the weekend after practicing on a limited basis Friday. He appears to be trending in the right direction as a result, but his Week 6 status won't be made official until the Browns release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Parham (wrist) is listed as questionable for Monday's contest against the Cowboys.

Parham was a full participant in practice both Thursday and Friday, yet the Chargers still chose to keep him on the injury report ahead of Monday's contest. The big-bodied tight end sprained his wrist back in Week 4 and certainly seems to be trending in the right direction following the team's Week 5 bye. More information regarding his status will likely emerge prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Saints elevated Holtz from the practice squad Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Holtz was let go by the Saints on Aug. 30 after failing to make the 53-man roster, but he signed with the team's practice squad Wednesday. He could see some action on special teams if he plays Sunday against the Texans.

Trautman caught one of his targets for four yards in Thursday's 19-8 loss to the Chiefs.

Trautman continued to operate as the Broncos' No. 1 tight end Thursday, playing 69 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Greg Dulcich (hamstring) returned to action for the contest, but after just 11 snaps, he aggravated the hamstring injury that caused him to miss the past four weeks on injured reserve. Despite being Denver's top choice at tight end, Trautman has failed to maintain consistent fantasy relevance. The 26-year-old will likely continue to see the most playing time at the position going forward, especially if Dulcich is forced to miss time again. With that said, Trautman doesn't inspire much confidence as a fantasy option. The Broncos will host the Packers in Week 7.

The Panthers activated Sullivan (hip) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Sullivan has yet to play in 2023, as he landed on IR prior to the start of the regular season with a hip injury. The fourth-year pro was able to practice in full both Thursday and Friday this week, so despite being questionable for Week 6, he should be good to go for Sunday's contest in Miami, where he'd play a depth role. Sullivan's return is timely because Carolina placed fellow tight end Ian Thomas (calf) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Thomas (calf) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

As a result, Thomas will miss at minimum of four weeks. Primarily a blocking specialist, the sixth-year tight end has just two catches through six weeks and has played only 85 total offensive snaps, far fewer than when he averaged over 600 the past two seasons. Stephen Sullivan (hip) was activated off injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Alie-Cox (concussion) was cleared of his injury designation Saturday and will be available Sunday against the Jaguars.

Alie-Cox won't end up missing any time after clearing the five-step concussion protocol following his exit from last Sunday's win over the Titans with the brain injury. He's seen his playing time slip in 2023 with the likes of Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree taking on expanded roles in the Colts' tight-end rotation, but the big-bodied Alie-Cox should still be a candidate for looks in the red zone.

Higgins (illness) is considered questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Rams, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Higgins logged a limited workload at Friday's practice after missing the first two days of the week, a reason for optimism that he is trending in the right direction. Still, final confirmation of his status is unlikely to come until the Cardinals release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Mitchell (hamstring) will remain sidelined for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell's absence will mark his second straight due to a hamstring injury. Star rookie Sam LaPorta (calf) has been deemed questionable, which leaves Brock Wright and Darrell Daniels as the Lions' only current healthy options at tight end. Mitchell now will focus on a potential Week 7 return at Baltimore.