NFL Player News

Johnson hauled in four of six targets for 41 yards during Sunday's 30-26 defeat against the Bengals.

Johnson recorded a career high in receptions with starting wideouts Michael Thomas (foot), Jarvis Landry (ankle) and Chris Olave (concussion) all sidelined with injuries Week 6. The 6-foot-4 tight end finished third on the team in targets behind running back Alvin Kamara (nine) and wide receiver Marquez Callaway (seven). Johnson also played 56 of New Orleans' 72 offensive snaps compared to just 23 and 16 snaps for fellow tight ends J.P. Holtz and Adam Trautman, respectively. While Olave did clear the protocol for head injuries Monday, Johnson could see yet another prominent target share if Thomas and/or Landry remain out Thursday against the Cardinals. Also, fellow tight end Trautman is dealing with an ankle injury.

Pruitt reverted to the Falcons' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Pruitt was promoted to the active roster for the second game in a row during Sunday's win over the 49ers. With rookie John FitzPatrick (undisclosed) still on IR, Pruitt played 16 of Atlanta's 58 offensive snaps behind Parker Hesse (41 snaps) and Kyle Pitts (33 snaps). Pruitt did haul in his lone target for a two-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and he will be available for just one more game-day elevation while on the Falcon's practice squad this season.

Quitoriano (knee) was designated to return from the Texans' injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Quitoriano missed the first six games of the season after being placed on Houston's IR ahead of the regular season. Now, the rookie tight end will have a 21-day window to practice and return to the active roster; otherwise, he will be placed on season-ending IR. Quitoriano's first chance to play will come in Sunday's game against the Raiders, though he may start out in a limited role with tight ends Brevin Jordan, O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins already on the roster.

Saubert (thigh) is listed as active for Monday night's game against the Chargers.

Saubert was limited in practice this week, but he'll give it a go Week 6 and figures to share TE work with Greg Dulcich, who came off IR on Monday. Meanwhile, Albert Okwuegbunam was made inactive by the Broncos.

Okwuegbunam (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Monday at the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Okwuegbunam's usage has wavered all season, ranging from two to 66 percent of the offensive snaps and zero to six targets per game. Now, he won't play at all in Week 6. The Broncos will trot out Eric Saubert, rookie Greg Dulcich, Eric Tomlinson and Andrew Beck at tight end, while Okwuegbunam's next chance to play will come Sunday against the Jets.

Woods had two receptions for 27 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown, on three targets in Sunday's win over Jacksonville.

Woods had season highs in targets and snap share (38 percent) on offense while catching his third touchdown of the season. He played 31 snaps and went out on 24 routes, compared to Kylen Granson (31 snaps, 25 routes) and Mo Alie-Cox (28 snaps, 13 routes). While the three tight ends are splitting playing time, Woods and Granson appear to be trending upward, while Alie-Cox didn't have a target.

Alie-Cox did not have a target nor reception but played 28 snaps on offense in Sunday's win over Jacksonville.

Alie-Cox's role in the offense continues to shrink as Kylen Granson got the start and had four targets. Alie-Cox also had the least playing time of the team's tight ends (31 snaps apiece for Granson and Jelani Woods). While the trio has alternated as the top target so far this season, the last two games appear to be trending away from Alie-Cox.

Indianapolis signed Wydermyer to the practice squad Monday.

Wydermyer was let go from New England's practice squad in mid-September after failing to make the team's final roster this preseason. Now, the rookie will look to make his NFL debut as a potential game-day elevation for Indianapolis, as fellow tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart was cut from the practice squad in a corresponding move Tuesday.

Granson started at tight end and had four receptions for 38 yards on four targets in Sunday's win over Jacksonville.

Granson got the start, played the most snaps and went out on the most routes among Colts tight ends. He played 31 snaps and ran 25 routes, compared to Jelani Woods (31 snaps, 24 routes) and Mo Alie-Cox (28 snaps, 13 routes). Each TE has alternated big weeks, but Alie-Cox didn't have a target, and Indy appeared to change their game plan to more of a fast-tempo offense. Granson's increase in production may be the start of a trend.

Dulcich (hamstring) has been activated from injured reserve and will make his NFL debut Monday against the Chargers.

Dulcich may need some time to get up to speed, but there's a clear path for the rookie to immediately carve out a prominent role in an underwhelming group of Broncos tight ends led by Eric Saubert (ankle) and Albert Okwuegbunam. Drafted in the third round out of UCLA, Dulcich had been impressing in camp prior to hurting his hamstring.