NFL Player News

Tonges and Luke Farrell are in line for more snaps at tight end, beginning Sunday versus the Saints, with George Kittle (hamstring) on IR and set to miss at least four games, Dianna Russini, Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic report.

Tonges stepped up in Kittle's absence Week 1, hauling in all three of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during San Francisco's 17-13 win over Seattle. Those marked the first regular-season catches of Tonges' career, but Farrell -- who signed a three-year, $15.75 million deal with the 49ers this offseason -- established himself as a blocking specialist across four years with Jacksonville. Farrell remains the likeliest candidate to lead the tight end position in terms of snaps with Kittle out, but it could be Tonges who inherits the majority of pass-catching reps, putting him on the fantasy radar in deeper formats or those that require multiple tight ends to be started.

Cager was cut from the Commanders' practice squad Wednesday.

The 28-year-old tight end from Georgia inked a deal to return to the Commanders' practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster in late August. However, it now appears Washington has decided to move in another direction. Cager's most recent in-game NFL action came with the Giants in 2023, when he made 11 appearances and caught four of five targets for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Woodside signed with the Steelers' practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

The 2018 seventh-round pick from Toledo signed with the Steelers in early August but failed to make the initial 53-man roster and was cut. With both Will Howard (hand) and Skylar Thompson (hamstring) now on injured reserve, Woodside's signing ensures quarterback depth in Pittsburgh. He'll likely be elevated to the active roster and serve as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback for Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks.

Harrison (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Harrison wouldn't be available for Pittsburgh's Week 2 contest against the Seahawks, but following his placement on the injured reserve list, he'll be forced to miss the team's next four games. The Ohio State product played 20 total snaps (four defensive and 16 on special teams) and recorded two total tackles before sustaining a knee injury in the Steelers' Week 1 win over the Jets. Carson Bruener could see increased snaps as a rotational inside linebacker while Harrison remains sidelined.

Thompson (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Thompson popped up on the Steelers' injury report with a hamstring injury prior to their Week 1 win over the Jets, and the issue now appears serious enough for him to land on IR. Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback will now miss at least four games, with his earliest possible return coming in Week 7 against the Bengals. With rookie Will Howard (hand) also on IR, the Steelers' quarterback room now consists of just Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.

The Jets are expected to waive Gipson on Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The undrafted wideout from Stephen F. Austin has served as one of the Jets' top return men since entering the league in 2023. However, his costly fumble while filling in for Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) on a kickoff return in New York's opening week loss to the Steelers likely prompted the team to move in another direction. With Gipson set to be waived, Isaiah Davis is expected to take over as the Jets' top punt returner.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said that Mooney (shoulder) is slated to practice Wednesday, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Mooney sat out Week 1 after logging a trio of limited practices leading up to Atlanta's narrow 23-20 season-opening loss to the Buccaneers. He seems likely to be limited again Wednesday, with his Week 2 status potentially resting on an ability to upgrade to 'full' practice reps Thursday or Friday. With Drake London (shoulder) having been forced out early Week 1 and now up-in-the-air for Sunday night's road game against the Vikings, Mooney's status will be increasingly pivotal to Michael Penix and Atlanta's aerial attack.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that London (shoulder) will participate in practice and is expected to suit up Sunday night versus the Vikings, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Morris said, "I do expect [London] to play," but he cautioned, "That's not saying he is." Atlanta will wait to make a decision on London's status for Week 2 until the coaching staff has been able to evaluate him throughout a full series of practices, but Morris' optimism at least confirms that the star wideout has avoided a severe injury. London brought in eight of 15 targets for 55 yards during the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 1. Fellow starting wideout Darnell Mooney (shoulder), who was unavailable against Tampa Bay, is also practicing Wednesday.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Judkins, who is not at the Browns' facility and won't practice Wednesday, is expected back with the team Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer previously reported that Judkins is in line to be interviewed by the NFL this week regarding his domestic battery charge under its personal conduct policy. According to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, that meeting is taking place Wednesday. Stefanski didn't comment on that topic Wednesday, noting that the Browns are taking it day-by-day with Judkins, with the team having been granted a two-game roster exemption for the running back after he didn't sign his rookie deal with the team until this past Saturday.

Johnson rushed twice for 24 yards and failed to secure either of his two targets in Sunday's 41-40 win over the Ravens.

Johnson's minimal production came on a day in which he handled 28 of the Bills' 85 offensive snaps, the second-most snaps at running back behind starter James Cook (48) and ahead of Ray Davis (10). The 27-year-old could have some good days on the stat sheet as a rotational player on one of the league's best offenses, but his limited usage will make those performances both inconsistent and hard to predict. Barring injury, Cook is the fantasy star in Buffalo's backfield, with both Johnson and Davis holding value as insurance policies. Johnson and the Bills are set to square off against the Jets in Week 2.