NFL Player News

Smith (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Smith didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday either, so the tight end appears to be trending toward a second straight absence Sunday against the Titans. If Smith is unavailable this weekend, Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox would once again be in line for added snaps within the Bengals' tight-end corps, while Tanner Hudson could be elevated from the practice squad to provide additional depth to the position group.

LaPorta caught four of five targets for 56 yards during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay.

LaPorta looked like he was on his way to a big night after getting loose for a 35-yard gain within the game's opening minutes. While he received another four targets before halftime, he didn't see another pass come his way in the second half with Detroit protecting a large lead with the run game -- and successfully limiting Green Bay to less than three minutes of fourth-quarter offense in the process. While this muted finish is disappointing for LaPorta's production, through three weeks only 12 other tight ends have a per-game target average that is at or above the rookie's first-half involvement from Thursday, which also ties the rookie's minimum number of targets from his Week 1 professional debut. With only Zach Ertz seeing a larger team target share among all tight ends, the ascending LaPorta will be a high-quality fantasy option when Detroit reconvenes for a Week 5 matchup with Carolina.

Kraft was targeted twice and caught two passes for five yards in Thursday's 34-20 loss to the Lions.

Kraft went catchless over the first three games of his rookie season, but he recorded the first two receptions of his career in Week 4. He could see more opportunities in Week 5 if Luke Musgrave (head) is unable to go, but with the Packers going from a Thursday game to a Monday contest, Musgrave will have more time to recover than usual.

Deguara secured all four of his targets for 34 yards in the Packers' 34-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.

Deguara finished second in receptions for the Packers on the night and tied for third in targets. The fourth-year tight end's season-best line was largely the byproduct of position mate Luke Musgrave leaving the game for good in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Despite Thursday's modest spike in production, Deguara figures to return to a complementary role behind Musgrave if the latter is cleared to return against the Raiders for a Week 5 matchup on Monday night, Oct. 9.

Musgrave (head) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Musgrave originally exited the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury and did not record a catch prior to his exit. Positively, he'll have plenty of time to clear the league's concussion protocol, as the Packers don't play again until Oct. 9. Tucker Kraft and Josiah Deguara have each seen an uptick in playing time with Musgrave sidelined.

Musgrave left Thursday's game against the Lions to be evaluated for a concussion, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Musgrave exited in the second quarter and was initially evaluated in the medical tent before heading to the locker room. He failed to make a catch prior to his exit. Josiah Deguara should see an uptick in playing time so long as Musgrave is absent.

Dissly (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The tight end practiced after coach Pete Carroll indicated earlier in the day that he would sit out the session. Dissly missed the previous three practices with a shoulder injury lingering from Seattle's Week 2 win over Detroit. Dissly may now have a chance to return for Monday night's game against the Giants.

Higbee (Achilles) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Higbee has kicked off Week 4 prep with consecutive absences from practice due to an Achilles injury. With just one more chance to practice this week, another absence may spur the Rams to rule him out ahead of Sunday's game at Indianapolis. If Higbee is limited or sidelined this weekend, Brycen Hopkins, Davis Allen and potentially practice-squad member Nikola Kalinic could be bigger parts of the Rams offense.

Everett (illness) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Everett has now missed two straight practices, so what the tight end is able to do Friday -- if anything -- will be telling with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Raiders. If Everett ends up sitting out this weekend, Donald Parham would be in line for an expanded role at tight end.

Moreau (ankle ) was a limited participant during practice Wednesday.

Moreau is moving in the right direction after logging a DNP on Wednesday. The fifth-year pro missed the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Packers but appears to still have a chance to suit up in Week 4 against Tampa Bay.