NFL Player News

Knox, who has four touchdowns over the last three games, draws a favorable Week 5 matchup Sunday against the Chiefs' 27th-ranked pass defense.

The Kansas City defense has struggled against tight ends, giving up an average of 6.5 catches and 85 yards per game to tight ends, as noted by Chris Brown of the Bills' official site. With Knox dominating the receiving role at his position -- 20 targets to just two for backup Tommy Sweeney -- his floor should be pretty high this week, considering the Bills will probably try to move the chains and keep Patrick Mahomes off the field as much as possible. Knox recorded a 6-42-1 line against the Chiefs in last year's AFC Championship Game, his best performance in a disappointing season, but one that may have provided a sneak peek at some of the success the team is having utilizing him in 2021.

Jordan (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Jordan fully participated in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he was unable to take the field Friday due to his illness. The 21-year-old hasn't yet made his professional debut, so his absence wouldn't have a significant impact on Houston's offense.

Horsted (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Horstead logged a full workload at each practice this week, so he is certainly trending in the right direction Sunday. With Jesse James (personal) and J.P. Holtz (quadriceps) sidelined, Horsted would be the No. 3 tight end behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham should he ultimately get the green light.

Hudson (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Hudson was carted off the field in Sunday's loss to the Jets, and his injury will force him to miss at least three games. He hauled in three of five targets for 31 yards across his first three appearances of the season.

Kittle (calf) was a non-participant in Friday's practice prior to being listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Arizona.

There had been hope for Kittle to follow his Week 4 routine, which consisted of a limited practice Friday and a questionable designation for the game. He did end up playing 92 percent of snaps in the 28-21 loss to Seattle last week, but Kittle apparently came out of it worse for the wear, and he'll now get some time to rest with the Niners on bye in Week 6. For Week 5, the starting assignment at tight end likely falls to Ross Dwelley, who worked in a committee with Jordan Reed for most of the games Kittle missed last year. Dwelley did handle a three-down role in back-to-back games when Kittle was injured in November of 2019, catching seven of 12 targets for 38 yards and two TDs, both of which came against the Cardinals, incidentally.

Dwelley is expected to start at tight end and see an uptick in snaps Sunday against the Cardinals with George Kittle (calf) listed as doubtful for the game.

Kittle has been sidelined for only a handful of plays through the 49ers' first four games, leaving few reps left over for Dwelley and Charlie Woerner, the two reserve options at tight end. Neither player can come close to matching Kittle's impact as a pass catcher, but Dwelley projects as the more fantasy friendly option of the two, given that he's drawn 25 targets in 20 games over the past season and change compared to just four for Woerner. Dwelley, who turned his lone target of 2021 into a 21-yard touchdown Week 4 against the Seahawks, shouldn't be viewed as much more than a desperation streamer at tight end in deeper season-long leagues or as a punt play in DFS.

Kittle (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle reportedly wasn't able to do much at Friday's practice, attempting a return after missing Wednesday and Thursday. He played through the same calf injury and handled a full workload last week, though he caught just four of 11 targets in the 49ers' loss to Seattle. It now appears Trey Lance will make his first NFL start without the help of his team's best offensive player, with TE snaps instead going to Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner. The team then has a Week 6 bye, followed by a Sunday night home game against the Colts in Week 7 (Oct. 24).

Okwuegbunam (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports that the Broncos have yet to make a decision on whether or not to place Okwuegbunam on injured reserve. Expect Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck to see increased roles behind Noah Fant in Week 5.

Hockenson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Minnesota.

Hockenson is believed to have picked up the injury last week, though he saw eight targets and handled an 82-percent snap share in a 24-14 loss to the Bears. He was then held out of Wednesday's practice before logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday. He looks to be truly questionable, with the tight end noting that he'll ice his knee Saturday and hope for the best Sunday morning, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Hockenson also mentioned that his injury is a result of repeated hits to his knees, rather than any structural or internal issue. Still, fantasy managers should treat him as a game-time call ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, with Darren Fells likely filling in as Detroit's top tight end if Hockenson can't go.

Smith (knee) is not listed on the Giants' injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Smith has played through the knee injury all season, so it's not surprising to see him active for Week 5. The 24-year-old will likely maintain his marginal role behind Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph against the Cowboys on Sunday.