NFL Player News

Smith exited Saturday's game against the Bengals with a head injury and is questionable to return, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.

After he was initially evaluated in the blue medical tent on the New England sideline, Smith headed to the locker room to presumably undergo further evaluation for a possible concussion. He's the second Patriots tight end to leave Saturday's contest early, as Hunter Henry was already ruled out for the rest of the game with a knee injury. The 6-foot-5, 217-pound Scotty Washington, who is listed as a receiver but has previous experience at tight end, is likely to fill in as the Patriots' tight end the rest of the way if Smith is unable to return.

Quitoriano is considered questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Titans due to a right knee injury.

Quitoriano failed to record any receptions before exiting the contest. If he is ulitmately unable to return, Brevin Jordan would be the lone backup at tight end behind Jordan Akins.

Ferguson (concussion) has been deemed active for Saturday's game versus Philadelphia, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Ferguson missed last Sunday's loss to Jacksonville after sustaining a concussion during the Week 14 win over Houston. The rookie tight end was then limited in each practice during Week 16 prep, though he apparently cleared protocols ahead of Saturday. Ferguson has caught 16 of 19 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns this season, and he should reprise his role as Dallas' No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz.

Henry (knee) won't return to Saturday's game against the Bengals, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Initially labeled questionable after exiting the Patriots' first possession with the knee injury, Henry will remain on the sideline for the rest of the afternoon and will finish the day without any recorded statistics. Jonnu Smith is the Patriots' only healthy tight end and should play nearly every snap during the second half of the contest.

Henry is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Bengals due to a knee injury.

Henry went without a target before exiting the contest to have his knee evaluated. If Henry is done for the day, Jonnu Smith will serve as the Patriots' primary tight end for the rest of the afternoon.

Granson (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Chargers.

Granson was unable to practice at any point during Week 16 prep due to an ankle injury, so the Colts' ruling on his status Saturday comes as no surprise. With the second-year pro sidelined for the second time this season, Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods will handle most of the TE reps for Indianapolis on Monday.

Sweeney (coach's decision) has been deemed inactive for Saturday's game against the Bears.

Sweeney will be a healthy scratch for the second straight week. The 27-year-old has not logged a target since Week 6, as Quintin Morris has served as the No. 2 tight end behind Dawson Knox for the majority of the season. Barring injuries to Morris or Knox, it's likely Sweeney will remain inactive for the final two weeks of the regular season as well.

Fant (knee) is active for Saturday's game against the Chiefs.

Fant managed just one limited practice this week while he battled the knee issue, but head coach Pete Carroll said after Thursday's session that the tight end would be good to go for Saturday. As anticipated, the 25-year-old will indeed suit up for the Week 16 contest, and assuming he avoids any in-game setbacks with the ankle, Fant and fellow tight end Will Dissly could be both in store for larger roles in the Seattle passing game. The Seahawks are without starting receiver Tyler Lockett (hand) this weekend, leaving Fant, Dissly and wideout Marquise Goodwin as candidates to absorb some of the looks that don't go to top target DK Metcalf.

Trautman (ankle) is active for Saturday's Week 16 clash against the Browns, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Trautman practiced in limited fashion throughout the week and will now suit up for Saturday's frigid interconference clash. Although weather conditions in Cleveland are expected to be extremely unconducive to the passing game, Trautman could still be the subject of a handful of extra targets while operating as the No. 2 tight end due to top receivers Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (IR-ankle) being unavailable.

Philadelphia placed Jackson (knee) on its injured reserve list Friday.

Jackson has dealt with lingering knee issues all year, and with regular starting tight end Dallas Goedert having returned Tuesday from an injured-reserve-list stint of his own, the Eagles saw fit to shut Jackson down for the rest of this season. He'll finish his 2022 campaign without having played a snap.