NFL Player News

Bellinger (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Bellinger exited early in Monday's 24-3 loss to the Seahawks with the knee injury and was a limited practice participant throughout Week 5 prep, but he evidently made enough progress for the Giants to feel comfortable keeping him active Sunday. However, Dan Duggan of The Athletic suggests that Bellinger is likely well below 100 percent healthy, so the second-year player could be subject to a lower snap count than usual behind starting tight end Darren Waller. In his three healthy games this season, Bellinger has handled snap shares ranging between 40 and 68 percent, recording just two total receptions in those contests.

Musgrave (concussion) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's matchup versus the Raiders, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Musgrave was a full participant in all three practice sessions, paving the way for the rookie tight to return to the starting lineup. Prior to the early exit in the Week 4 loss to the Lions, Musgrave had played in at least 75 percent of the team's offensive snaps and tallied 15 targets combined in the three contests. As a result, the 23-year-old could be situated in a nice spot to have a productive outing against a vulnerable Raiders defense.

The Cowboys elevated McKeon from their practice squad Saturday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McKeon was elevated for the first time last week to face New England, and he ended up logging 17 snaps on offense and 13 on special teams without registering any stats. The tight end should serve as depth for Dallas against San Francisco on Sunday, with Peyton Hendershot ruled out due to an ankle injury.

Mitchell (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against Carolina.

Mitchell practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday but popped up on the injury report with a DNP due to a hamstring issue Friday. It doesn't bode well for the tight end's likelihood of playing Sunday that the injury occurred late in the week, though his potential absence probably won't have a major impact on the Lions' game plan since he hasn't logged more than 10 offensive snaps in any contest so far this season.

Musgrave (concussion) was a full practice participant Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Back-to-back full practices have Musgrave on track to avoid any missed games after an early exit from last Thursday's loss to Detroit, though there still hasn't been any announcement from the Packers about the rookie clearing the concussion protocol. Fantasy managers thus should continue to consider the possibility of Musgrave missing Monday's game in Las Vegas, even if suiting up is the more likely outcome at this stage. The timing of the game is suboptimal if he ends up listed as questionable, especially given the lack of attractive TE alternatives on the rosters of the two teams playing Monday night.

Hendershot (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Hendershot hasn't practiced since he was listed on last Friday's injury report as limited due to an ankle concern. He'll thus miss his second contest in a row, giving Luke Schoonmaker another opportunity for an elevated workload behind starting tight end Jake Ferguson. Hendershot's next chance to suit up is Monday, Oct. 16 at the Chargers.

Johnson (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in New England, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Johnson suffered a calf injury in Week 4 pregame warmups and was unable to practice at all this week prior to being ruled out for Week 5. Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham should continue to hold down the fort at tight end Sunday while Johnson sets his sights on trying to return Week 6 against the Texans.

Smith (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Arizona.

Smith's set to return from a two-game absence after logging full practices Thursday and Friday. Prior to getting hurt, the starting tight end caught five of nine targets for 27 yards across his first two games with the Bengals.

Bellinger (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Miami, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Bellinger is apparently in some danger of sitting out at least one full game as he recovers from the knee injury that forced him out of Monday's game versus Seattle. If he is sidelined, Lawrence Cager would be in line to play second fiddle to Darren Waller at tight end in Week 5.

Washington could be in store for a larger role Sunday against the Ravens, as fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) has been ruled out.

Freiermuth's absence could lead to larger roles for both Washington and Connor Heyward. Washington has been used primarily for blocking purposes through four games, as the 2023 third-round draft pick out of Georgia has just one catch in his young career.