NFL Player News

LaPorta caught five of five targets for 39 yards during Thursday's 21-20 win over the Chiefs.

Although he may not be a significant fantasy factor yet, LaPorta looked like a natural receiver in his first career regular-season game. It could be an issue for fantasy purposes if he has more blocking responsibilities than most stars at the tight end position considering LaPorta only ran a route on about 70 percent of his snaps, but the Iowa product drew a target on about a fifth of them en route to finishing fourth in targets behind Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine), Josh Reynolds (seven) and Marvin Jones (six). If his volume improves just a little bit one way or another, LaPorta could easily enter the conversation as a low-end fantasy starter.

Gray brought in three of five targets for 31 yards in the Chiefs' 21-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.

Gray drew the start for Travis Kelce (knee), but it was fellow tight end Blake Bell who scored a touchdown between the two fill-ins. However, Gray tied for second in receptions and third in receiving yards on the night for the Chiefs, who used an all-hands-on-deck approach in their attempt to make up for Kelce's absence. The third-year pro took a sizable step forward in his production in 2022 with a 28-299-1 line on 34 targets, so Thursday's production could be somewhat indicative of what could be another incremental bump in volume in the new season, even when Kelce is healthy.

Bell brought in two of three targets for 12 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs' 21-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.

Bell and Noah Gray filled in for the sidelined Travis Kelce (knee) on Thursday, and the former did his share by recording a four-yard touchdown grab late in the first half to snap a 7-7 tie. The veteran tight end's score marked only his second career trip to the end zone across 101 regular-season games, and if Kelce is healthy enough to suit up for a Week 2 visit to the Jaguars a week from Sunday, Bell should be back to his very minor pass-catching role.

Kelce (knee) is officially inactive for Thursday night's game against the Lions.

Kelce suffered a hyperextension and a bone bruise in his knee during Tuesday's practice, and he'll sit this one out with an eye toward potentially returning to action in the Chiefs' Week 2 contest against the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 17. In his absence, Noah Gray figures to fill in as the team's top pass-catching tight end, though Kelce's normal allotment of targets likely will be spread around between Gray and the team's other pass catchers, a group that includes fellow TEs Blake Bell and Matt Bushman, as well as Kansas City's key WRs and RBs.

Gray is expected to serve as the Chiefs' starting tight end for Thursday's game against the Lions with Travis Kelce (knee) inactive for the contest, Sports Radio 810 WHB Kansas City reports.

The Chiefs have Blake Bell and practice-squad call-up Matt Bushman available as additional options at tight end, but Gray is listed second on the depth chart and should thus be first in line to fill in for Kelce, who will miss his first game since Week 16 of the 2021 season. Gray technically already has nine other NFL starts to his name, but Thursday's contest should represent the most prominent opportunity he's had in his three-year career to date. Even while backing Kelce up the past two seasons, Gray has averaged 1.3 targets per contest, but expect the Duke product to pick up at least a couple extra looks from Patrick Mahomes while he represents the Chiefs' top pass-catching option at tight end.

Kittle (groin) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kittle has been dealing with an adductor strain since Aug. 10 that still may be lingering because he played 12 offensive snaps during the 49ers' preseason finale on Aug. 25. In any case, he's been able to manage back-to-back capped sessions to begin Week 1 prep, and the team may clarify his status for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh upon the release of Friday's injury report.

Kelce (knee) is not slated to play Thursday night against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation of Kelce's status will arrive once the Chiefs' Week 1 inactives are posted, but in his looming absence, Noah Gray, Blake Bell and Matt Bushman are in line to handle the team's TE duties. Per James Palmer of NFL Network, Kelce pushed to play Thursday, a context that bodes well for his Week 2 status.

Kelce (knee), who is listed as questionable, is expected to sit out Thursday's game against the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, the tight end still may test out his injured knee in a pregame workout, but his official status will be confirmed either way about 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:20 p.m. ET starting time. If Kelce ends up inactive for the Week 1 contest, his next chance to play will arrive Sunday, Sept. 17 against the Jaguars.

Philadelphia cut Russell from its practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Colorado will now have to look for another opportunity to make an impression with a different team. Russell is old for a rookie at age 25, and only time will tell if he can overcome the late start to catch on at the NFL level.

Andrews (quad) remained limited at Thursday's practice.

Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, when asked about his quad injury Thursday, Andrews replied, "It's one of those things that's been a little tricky, but I'm feeling better," while adding that he's taking it "day-by-day" as Sunday's season opener against the Texans approaches. Friday's injury report will clarify whether the star tight end heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared for Week 1 action.