NFL Player News

Njoku caught seven passes (12 targets) for 55 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Chargers.

Njoku was able to find the end zone for the first time in 2018 when he went up and caught an underthrown ball on a fade route from Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. This could be a sign of big things to come for the second-year tight end, as not only did Mayfield target him in the red zone again, but his 22 targets over the past two games leads the team. Njoku and Mayfield will look to continue their rapport next Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Vannett (back) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Vannett's presence on the inactive list comes as a surprise after coach Pete Carroll said just two days earlier that the third-year player would be available for the London game. With Vannett sidelined for at least this week and Will Dissly (knee) on injured reserve, the Seahawks are suddenly thin at tight end. Darell Daniels and Tyrone Swoopes -- both of whom were members of Seattle's practice squad less than two weeks ago -- will represent the team's only options at the position in Week 6.

Kroft, who is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is dealing with a fractured bone in his right foot and could require surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

According to Schefter, Kroft has already ruled himself out for the Bengals' Week 7 contest against the Chiefs and will meet with a specialist over the next two weeks to determine whether he can play through the injury. If Kroft needs surgery to address the matter, it would likely end his season and make him the second Bengals tight end to land on injured reserve after Tyler Eifert (ankle) was shut down. With Kroft out for at least the next two games, C.J. Uzomah is locked in as the Bengals' primary option at the position.

Derby (foot) is inactive for Sunday's Week 6 tilt against the Bears.

The 27-year-old tight end will thus miss his third straight contest, leaving rookie Mike Gesicki at the helm of the position once again Week 6.

Kittle (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Packers, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle was a limited participant again at practice Saturday as he deals with the knee injury suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. The fact the 25-year-old participated in practice throughout the week makes him seemingly on track for Monday's game. Assuming Kittle does suit up, he could be in line for a heavy workload with a plethora of San Francisco position players on the injury report.

Kittle (knee) remained limited at practice Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle hurt his knee during last week's 28-18 loss to the Cardinals, but it didn't stop him from catching five of seven targets for 83 yards. He seems to be on track for Monday's game in Green Bay, potentially headed for a big workload with the 49ers running thin on healthy skill-position players. Matt Breida (shoulder/ankle), Pierre Garcon (shoulder/knee), Trent Taylor (back) and Dante Pettis (knee) all missed practice Thursday and Friday.

Coach Pete Carroll said Vannett (back) will play in Sunday's game against the Raiders in London, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Vannett was held out of Friday's practice and listed as questionable on the final injury report, but Carroll seems to be suggesting that the team is merely being cautious. Darell Daniels is the only other tight end on the 53-man roster, so Seattle will need to sign another player Saturday if there's any real doubt about Vannett's availability. The third-year pro handled an 83 percent snap share last week in the first game since fellow tight end Will Dissly (knee) suffered a season-ending injury.

Graham (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

Graham returned without any limitations after getting a maintenance day to start the practice week. He's locked in as one of the more reliable options at tight end, heading into a Week 6 matchup with the 49ers on Monday Night Football. The Niners have surrendered four touchdowns to Graham's position in five weeks, despite facing three teams (DET, LAC, ARI) that have barely used their tight ends in the passing game. San Francisco did limit Kyle Rudolph to one reception (a touchdown) in the season opener, but Travis Kelce went off for 114 yards a couple weeks later. It remains to be seen if Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison will return from hamstring injuries to provide Graham with more competition for Aaron Rodgers' attention.

Smythe (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation going into Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Smythe popped up on the injury report Thursday with a limited participation in practice, but was able to practice fully Friday. While the Notre Dame product is third on the depth chart, he could see an increased workload if fellow tight end A.J. Derby (foot) misses time Sunday.

Derby (foot) carries the questionable tag for Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby practiced this past week for the first time since injuring his foot against the Raiders in Week 3. The 27-year-old was able to practice in a limited capacity all three days this week. In his absence, fellow tight end Mike Gesicki has seen an increased role and would continue to fulfill that role if Derby misses time Sunday as well.