NFL Player News

Togiai (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Togiai was absent from the injury report until Friday, when he was a limited participant in practice before being handed the questionable tag. The 23-year-old tight end adds depth at the position and has handled a modest role. Over four games, he has averaged 18.1 offensive snaps per game.

Firkser is expected to serve as Tennessee's top pass-catching tight end Sunday against the Browns with Jonnu Smith (knee) ruled out for the contest, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Smith has played in all 11 of the Titans' games to date, but he exited early in the team's Week 6 win over the Texans with an ankle injury. In that same contest, Firkser came on in relief of Smith and shined, turning his nine targets into eight catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Since then, Firkser seems to have fallen behind Geoff Swaim in the pecking order at tight end; Swaim has played at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the past three games, while Firkser hasn't topped 40 percent. Swaim's blocking prowess could allow him to lead the way in terms of snap share once again, but Firkser's role in the passing game gives him the higher fantasy upside of the two even if he's on the field less frequently.

Lewis (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

The 36-year-old tight end went through his typical practice regimen, handling limited reps before being cleared going into the weekend. Though 10 games this season, Lewis has posted seven receptions for 56 yards and three touchdowns.

Hurst (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Hurst's availability for the Week 13 contest looked to be in jeopardy after he failed to practice Thursday, but the Falcons cleared him to play after he returned to work Friday in a limited fashion. After being held without a reception for the only time this season in the Falcons' Week 11 loss to the Saints, Hurst has nowhere to go but up in the rematch.

Ertz (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

The Eagles opened Ertz's practice window on Nov. 16, but they used more than two weeks to bring him back to the active roster. After logging limited sessions both Wednesday and Thursday, he practiced in full Friday, officially clearing him to return to action. On Sunday, Ertz will be taking on a Packers defense that has allowed 8.1 yards per target (sixth most in the NFL) to tight ends this season.

Coach Mike Vrabel ruled out Smith (knee) for Sunday's game versus the Browns, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Smith missed every practice this week as he tends to a knee injury and now will sit out for the first time this season. His significant snap share thus is slated to filter down to Geoff Swaim, Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt.

The Vikings ruled Smith (back) out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Smith will be inactive for a third time this season and for the second week in a row after his back injury prevented him from practicing in any capacity Wednesday through Friday. With Smith out of the picture, Kyle Rudolph should be freed to run more routes at tight end after typically serving as more of a blocking specialist when both players dress. While Smith was sidelined Weeks 10 and 12, Rudolph recorded 11 receptions for 131 yards on 13 targets.

Gilliam (hamstring) returned to full practice participation Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

The fullback's full practice participation suggests he'll be able to suit up Monday against the 49ers. Gilliam has caught only two passes all season, though one went for a touchdown.

Smith (knee) didn't practice Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After failing to record a reception in last week's win over the Colts, Smith has now sat out each of the Titans' three Week 13 practices. The Titans will provide a designation for Smith later Friday, but the tight end is most likely going to sit out Sunday against the Browns for what would be his first absence of the season. If that's the case, Anthony Firkser would likely see the bulk of the snaps and targets at tight end.

Coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism Ertz (ankle) will be able to play Sunday against the Packers, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 30-year-old was activated off injured reserve this week and was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, so he appears on track to return to the field this weekend. According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Pederson also said the team has "to be smart" about Ertz's usage if he's cleared, given it would be his first game action since Week 6. Dallas Goedert should continue operating as the team's No. 1 tight end for now.