NFL Player News

Conklin (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints.

Conklin went up for a catch in the redzone in the second quarter and came up limping after missing the pass. He'll likely get additional treatment at the halftime break, but as long as he's sidelined, the only healthy tight ends for the Vikings are Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.

Firkser hauled in two off three targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in the team's playoff win over the Patriots on Saturday.

Firkser was given limited opportunity to produce as the team attempted just 15 passes for the game. However, he managed to make one of the most impactful plays of the game, hauling in a 12-yard touchdown halfway through the first quarter. Firkser has worked behind both MyCole Pruitt and Jonnu Smith of late, though his frame does make him a good red-zone target. He'll look to come up big again in the team's second-round matchup against Baltimore.

Akins (hamstring) is inactive for Saturday's playoff game against the Bills.

With Akins sidelined, Darren Fells will serve as the Texans' primary tight end Saturday, with Jordan Thomas a candidate to see added work in the team's offense as well.

Ertz (ribs) is expected to be cleared to play in Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Seahawks, Derrick Gunn of NBCS Philly reports.

Ertz suffered a lacerated kidney and broken ribs in Week 16, but he has apparently recovered enough to give it a go Sunday. Coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism regarding his status at Friday's news conference, so he has seemingly been trending in this direction. Still, there has been no official announcement made yet by the team.

Everett didn't play an offensive snap during Sunday's 31-24 win over Arizona. He did see the field for two special-teams snaps.

The third-year tight end appeared to be headed for a breakout campaign with 18 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns during Weeks 4 through 7, but then a wrist injury cut into his practice time and hurt his production. Everett then sustained a knee injury in late November, which kept him out Weeks 13 through 15 before playing just four offensive snaps over the final two games of the year. Making matters worse, fellow tight end Tyler Higbee emerged as a go-to option in the passing attack and accumulated 43 receptions for 522 yards and two touchdowns over the final five games of the year. The Rams invested a second-round selection in 2017 in Everett, so he's going to have opportunities to carve out a role in 2020. However, his fantasy stock is definitely trending in the wrong direction despite his high-end athleticism and potential.

Ertz (ribs/back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Seahawks after practicing in a limited fashion this week.

As of Friday, Ertz had yet to to be cleared for contact, with coach Doug Pederson noting that the Eagles are awaiting word "on a few doctor results (Saturday). If things go favorable, (Ertz) will play and if they don't, he won't." If the tight end isn't cleared to suit up, or ends up being limited Sunday, added looks would be available for the capable Dallas Goedert.

Smith filled in for an injured Evan Engram down the stretch and performed surprisingly well for a rookie with 30 catches and three touchdowns over the Giants' final six games.

Engram should be healthy to start the year, but it's hard to ignore how reliable Smith was as a sixth-round rookie, and Engram has hardly been a paragon of health. Don't be surprised if Smith continues to carve out a role in his second year.

Coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Ertz (ribs/back) has yet to be cleared for contact, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The 29-year-old should work as a limited participant for the third straight practice as the team awaits test results Saturday. Pederson also said, "If things go favorable he'll play. If they don't, he won't [play]." Ertz likely will be listed as questionable when the Eagles release their official injury report later Friday, but his status is unlikely to receive a worthwhile update for the wild-card matchup until Saturday.

Smith was not targeted in the team's Week 17 win over the Texans. However, he did rush the ball once for seven yards.

Smith was held without a target for a second time this season, producing only seven yards of total offense. However, he was still on the field for 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps, well ahead of both MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser. Smith will likely draw a bigger role in the team's wild-card matchup against New England on Saturday, and he'll look to capitalize on his ability to gain yards after the catch. He'll also have plenty of motivation to produce next season, as he's entering a contract year and could be in line to take over as the team's starting tight end if Delanie Walker (ankle) opts to retire.

Thomas, who caught one of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's finale against Green Bay, finished the 2019 season with 16 catches (28 targets) for 173 yards and one touchdown in 16 games.

While Thomas has had a slow but steady transition from quarterback to tight end over the past few years, he modestly set career marks across the board in 2019. Some of that may be due to T.J. Hockenson (ankle) missing time, but in any case, Thomas at least showed himself to be a serviceable depth option who can catch a few passes when called upon. It remains to be seen if any team around the league will reward Thomas this offseason for his development, as the 28-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year.