NFL Player News

Kelce has already begun the rehab process with his knee and could be ready to play in the Chiefs' Week 2 matchup with the Jaguars on Sept. 17, Jay Glazer reported on the "Fox NFL Sunday" pregame show.

Glazer noted that Kelce went through a set of workouts Saturday without the knee swelling up afterward, giving the Chiefs some early optimism that he'll be ready to play Week 2. When Kelce went down with the knee injury in practice Tuesday, the Chiefs were initially concerned that he suffered a tibial plateau fracture, which would have kept the tight end out for the season. Fortunately for Kelce and the Chiefs, he avoided a fracture but was diagnosed with a deep bone bruise in the knee, which kept him out of Thursday's season-opening loss to the Lions. Kelce is now hard at work to try to return next week.

Muse (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Muse turned in a strong preseason and training camp to make the 53-man roster but is behind T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt on the team's tight end depth chart.

Mallory (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Mallory was taken by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His next opportunity to make his NFL debut will come in Week 2 against the Texans on Sept. 17.

Willis (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Steelers.

Willis made the team after getting selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, but he still remains behind Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, and of course, George Kittle on the team's tight-end depth chart.

FitzPatrick (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The Falcons called up Parker Hesse from the practice squad Saturday. FitzPatrick will have to wait until Week 2 against the Packers for his first action of the 2023 season.

Durham (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Vikings, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Durham won't make his NFL debut Week 1, as the team will opt to roll with Cade Otton, Ko Kieft and David Wells at tight end Sunday. The fifth-round rookie will now work to earn the chance to play in Week 2 against the Bears.

With fellow tight end Mark Andrews (quadriceps) inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Texans, Likely is in line to serve as the Ravens' top tight end in Week 1.

Andrews will thus target a potential return next weekend, but in Baltimore's season opener, Likely has a chance to see enough snaps and targets to yield fantasy utility. In that context, the 2022 fourth-rounder profiles as a streaming option, as well as a lineup fill-in for those impacted by Andrews' absence.

Kittle (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

A groin injury limited Kittle's practice participation from Wednesday through Friday and resulted in him carrying a questionable tag into the season opener, but as anticipated, the standout tight end has been cleared to play Sunday. No reports have indicated that Kittle's snaps will be limited against the Steelers, so expect him to maintain an integral role in the 49ers' passing game while also serving as a key blocker for the team's ground attack.

Andrews (quadriceps) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against Texans.

Andrews was limited in practice this past week, but the Ravens will play it safe with their star tight end with the rest of the season in mind. In Andrews' absence, Isaiah Likely is in line to step into an expanded role in Week 1, with Charlie Kolar also on hand to see complementary TE snaps. Andrews will now target a potential return to action Sept. 17, when the Ravens face the Bengals.

Ertz (knee) is active for Sunday's game at Washington, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ertz has made a speedy recovery from the ACL and MCL injuries that he suffered Week 10 last season. Making an appearance Week 1 of the current campaign was the goal all along, which was made possible by him coming off the active/PUP list Aug. 15 and logging limited practices Wednesday through Friday this week. The potential exists for Ertz to be eased into action, especially due to the presence of second-year tight end Trey McBride. Since joining the Cardinals in October 2021, Ertz has gathered in 103 of 150 targets for 980 yards and seven touchdowns in 21 contests.