NFL Player News

Despite being ruled out for at least one more week, Engram (foot) is optimistic he'll be ready to play sooner rather than later, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

While he still hasn't returned to practice, Engram was able to do some cutting and running this week. He'll be inactive for a third straight game when the Giants host the Packers on Sunday, joined by fellow tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) in street clothes. Kaden Smith served as the team's No. 1 tight end in a Week 12 loss to the Bears, playing 98 percent of the offensive snaps in the contest and catching five of six targets for 17 yards and a touchdown.

James was not targeted during Thursday's 24-20 loss to the Bears.

Even with T.J. Hockenson (leg/shoulder) banged up, James still only saw about a third of the available snaps. Moreover, quarterback David Blough locked in on Hockenson from the get-go as the rookie tight end easily paced the team with 11 targets while James and Logan Thomas combined for zero. These minor responsibilities as a receiver will continue to prevent James from attaining fantasy relevance in even the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Coach Freddie Kitchens said Friday that the Browns have yet to decide whether Njoku (wrist) will be activated from injured reserve prior to Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

Njoku returned to practice Nov. 20 and reportedly took full contact that same day, but the Browns have yet to confirm that the tight end has completely moved past the fractured wrist he sustained Week 2. Though Kitchens remains mum on Njoku's status for Week 13, the Browns could still wait until Saturday to add the tight end back to the 53-man roster. If the Browns determine Njoku isn't fit to play this week, the team would have until Dec. 11 to activate him or shut him down for the remainder of the season.

Sample (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Sample will miss his third straight game since suffering the right ankle injury Week 10 against the Ravens. Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah are the team's only healthy tight ends since Cethan Carter (concussion) also has been ruled out.

Smith is in line to start Sunday's game against the Packers, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Smith caught five of six targets for 17 yards and a touchdown in last week's 19-14 loss to the Bears, playing 98 percent of snaps with both Evan Engram (foot) and Rhett Ellison (concussion) inactive. Engram and Ellison have been ruled out for another game, likely leaving Smith in an every-down role at tight end for a second time in as many weeks. With Golden Tate (concussion) also unavailable, it won't come as any surprise if Smith matches his target total from Week 12. That said, the Sunday weather forecast for East Rutherford doesn't look especially promising for passing and receiving production, as the game could be impacted by a mixture of snow, rain and wind.

Teammate Dallas Goedert said he expects Ertz (hamstring) to play in Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ertz was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday but returned to the field Friday. It isn't clear if Ertz was a limited or full participant in the session, and he'll likely be listed as questionable even if the Eagles fully expect him to play this weekend. For what it's worth, Ertz confirmed that he's on track to suit up, saying "See ya Sunday" when he walked past reporters, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Engram (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Engram was spotted stretching before Friday's practice, but it isn't clear if he did anything more. Whatever the case, he'll miss a third consecutive game, and fellow tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) will join him on the sideline for a second straight week. Kaden Smith acted as Engram's primary replacement in the Week 12 loss to the Bears, logging a 98 percent snap share on offense and catching five of six targets for 17 yards and a touchdown.

Knox brought in three of four targets for 17 yards during Thursday's 26-15 win over the Cowboys.

Aside from John Brown's touchdown pass, no receiver or tight end did much of note Thanksgiving Day besides Cole Beasley, who piled up 110 yards and a score against his former team. Knox was targeted on a couple of other plays involving penalties that didn't show up on the stat sheet, while Tyler Kroft wasn't even looked at in the passing game and saw just 18 percent of the offensive snaps compared to Knox's 78 percent. There's probably one big game down the stretch where the plan will center around the rookie, but Brown remains the only weapon in the Buffalo passing game that can be counted on week after week.

Engram (foot) took part in stretching drills before Friday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear if Engram did anything beyond stretching since the Giants closed the rest of the session to media, but it's at least noteworthy that he was present. The Giants will provide an official update on Engram's practice participation as well as his status for the Week 13 matchup with Green Bay when they release their final injury report later Friday.

Ertz (hamstring) will practice Friday, and there's growing optimism that he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

It won't be clear until after Friday's practice how much Ertz was able to do in the Eagles' final session of Week 13, but even if he goes down as a limited participant, that would represent a step up from what he did either of the previous two days. The Eagles will reveal whether Ertz carries a designation into Sunday shortly after practice concludes, but a final call on his availability may not be made until game day.