NFL Player News

Coach Mike Vrabel has ruled out Firkser (knee) for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Firkser didn't practice at all this week and now will miss his second consecutive contest since injuring his knee during the first session of Week 2 prep. He may have to return to the field in some capacity to put himself on a reasonable path to return to action. Until that happens, though, the Titans will rely on Geoff Swaim, MyCole Pruitt and Tommy Hudson at tight end.

Engram (calf) believes he's ready to return for Sunday's game against Atlanta, but the Giants have him listed as questionable on their final injury report, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Engram said a "great" week of practice has him ready for his season debut, though the Giants listed him as a limited participant Wednesday through Friday. He does seem more likely than not to play, albeit in a potential timeshare now that the Giants have Kyle Rudolph, who has seven targets and 74 percent snap share through two weeks. The team even has a competent No. 3 TE in Kaden Smith, though his role (47 percent of snaps) is on even thinner ice than Rudolph's once Engram is back in the mix. It remains to be seen if that will happen this Sunday, with the Giants releasing their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. WR Kenny Golladay (hip) is the other prominent player listed as questionable, while RB Saquon Barkley and WR Kadarius Toney don't have injury designations for the game.

Ertz (reserve/COVID-19) isn't practicing Friday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

It doesn't bode well for his Week 3 availability, though the Eagles haven't ruled the tight end out for Monday's game in Dallas. Ertz was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list at the beginning of the week, and it is possible the extra day ahead of MNF aids his quest to avoid an absence.

Brown played 31 offensive snaps and wasn't targeted during Thursday's 24-9 loss to the Panthers.

Brown caught four of five targets for 67 yards in the season opener, but he failed to catch his lone target across the past two games. Jordan Akins played only three more offensive snaps Thursday but caught four of five targets for 32 yards. The pair is splitting playing time and neither has been consistently involved in the aerial attack through the first three games of the season.

Engram (calf) is practicing again Friday and seems to be on track for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Given that he missed the first two games of the season, Engram likely will be listed as questionable even if the Giants expect him to play. It's still too soon to count on that outcome, considering Engram remained limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday. An upgrade to full participation Friday would create far more confidence about his status for Sunday, with Engram hoping to rejoin the lineup in time for a favorable matchup against a Falcons defense that's given up eight passing TDs already.

Arnold caught two of four targets for 23 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Arnold's only unsuccessful targets came on tight-window throws while taking hits down the seam. Although he's had at least two catches in each game this season, Arnold hasn't enjoyed his signature performance as a Panther yet. In fact, he still played fewer snaps Thursday than fellow tight end Ian Thomas, and rookie Tommy Tremble actually performed the best of the group, finishing with 37 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Carolina's depth at the position has hurt Arnold's upside, but he'll nonetheless strive to remain involved as a pass catcher in Week 4 versus the Cowboys.

Tremble caught his only target for 30 yards and rushed for a seven-yard touchdown in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Tremble took a jet sweep into the end zone in the third quarter, marking the first touchdown of his young career. The rookie third-rounder then got free on a play-action wheel route, setting Carolina up for a field goal. Although he still trailed fellow tight ends Ian Thomas and Dan Arnold in snaps, Tremble's impact Thursday could earn him more run in Week 4's matchup against the Cowboys.

Akins brought in four of five targets for 32 yards in the Texans' 24-9 loss to the Panthers on Thursday night.

The fourth-year tight end came into the game with just one reception for 17 yards through the first pair of contests, but Akins end up tied for second in catches with Anthony Miller on the Texans for the night. The Central Florida product was a safety valve for rookie quarterback Davis Mills, and given that the third-round pick is likely to continue operating a more conservative offense than veteran Tyrod Taylor (IR-hamstring) would, Akins could be busy again in a Week 4 road matchup against the Bills on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Dafney (hip) was added to Thursday's injury report as a limited participant, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The development may indicate Dafney suffered an injury in practice, but the Packers nonetheless have two tight ends with unknown statuses. Josiah Deguara (concussion) is the other, leaving just Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis as healthy options at the position.

Deguara (concussion) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Deguara remained limited as he recovers from the concussion that he sustained Week 1. It's unclear exactly where he stands in his quest through the protocol for head injuries, but he seems destined to enter the weekend with a questionable designation for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Meanwhile, Dominique Dafney (hip) joined Deguara as a limited participant Thursday, leaving just two healthy tight ends (Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis) on the active roster.