NFL Player News

Loveland (hip) is listed as inactive Sunday in Las Vegas.

Loveland made an early departure from last Sunday's win against the Cowboys due to a hip injury that didn't allow him to practice until Friday, when he was limited and given a questionable designation. He began to trend in the wrong direction for Week 4 after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday afternoon that Loveland wasn't expected to be available Sunday, which now has been confirmed. Cole Kmet (groin) is poised to handle most of the TE reps Sunday, with Durham Smythe and Stephen Carlson in reserve roles. Meanwhile, Loveland's next chance to suit up is Monday, Oct. 13 at Washington following a Week 5 bye.

Likely (foot) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Likely, who underwent a procedure during training camp to address a small fracture in his foot, missed the Ravens' first three games, but after upgrading to full practice participation Friday, the tight end was deemed questionable for Sunday's contest. In his return to the mix against Kansas City, Likely will bolster a Baltimore TE corps that also includes Mark Andrews -- who is on the heels of recording a 6-91-2 line on six targets Week 3 -- and Charlie Kolar. In that context, it remains to be seen what Likely's volume will be out of the gate, but as the season progresses, there should opportunities for both Andrews and Likely to produce in Baltimore's offense.

Ferguson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Colts.

The rookie second-round pick played four offensive snaps over the first two games of the season -- with all of those coming in Week 2 -- but Ferguson will be a healthy scratch for a second consecutive contest after both Tyler Higbee (hip) and Colby Parkinson (shoulder) cleared injury designations. Ferguson's next chance to garner active status comes in a Week 5 Thursday night clash against the 49ers.

Mallory (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Rams.

The third-year tight end has yet to garner active status this season through four games. Mallory is a clear No. 4 on the depth chart for the time being, slotting in behind star first-round rookie Tyler Warren and veterans Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree.

Parkinson (shoulder) is active for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Colts, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The journeyman tight end will once again play through the nagging shoulder issue that dates back to Week 1 and cost him one game already this season. Despite his active status, Parkinson looks to be slotted in at No. 3 on the depth chart at the moment, with Davis Allen having seemingly surpassed him for the job of primary backup to Tyler Higbee (hip).

Higbee (hip) is active for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Colts, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran tight end had put in a full session Wednesday before apparently suffering a hip injury in Thursday's practice and then missing Friday's session, an absence head coach Sean McVay termed a veteran rest day. Higbee indeed will be in uniform Sunday and attempt to get more mileage out of his No. 1 tight end role, which thus far this season has only netted a 4-37-0 line on six targets over three games.

Franks is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Commanders due to an arm injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Franks appeared to suffer the injury in the first quarter during coverage on a kickoff. He's mostly served on special teams this season, but if Franks doesn't return, then Charlie Woerner and Teagan Quitoriano would be the two healthy backup tight ends behind Kyle Pitts the rest of the way.

Tremble is expected to serve as Carolina's starting tight end in Sunday's game against New England, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Ja'Tavion Sanders is inactive for Week 4 after injuring his ankle in last Sunday's win over the Falcons, so Tremble should see the bulk of the reps at tight end for Carolina once again. Following Sanders' early exit in the Week 3 victory, Tremble logged a season-high 57 percent snap share and finished with two catches for 16 yards on two targets.

Smith (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings in Dublin, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Smith wasn't able to practice fully at any point during Week 4 and took a questionable tag into Sunday, but his hip issue isn't expected to limit him in Ireland. The tight end has seen ample involvement through the Steelers' first three games, playing at least 55 percent of snaps in every contest while accruing a 12-65-1 receiving line on 13 targets.

Likely (foot) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game at Kansas City, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

After missing the first three contests of the campaign due to his recovery from foot surgery, Likely is poised for his first game action since Jan. 11, 2025 following a full practice Friday. His status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but Likely is expected to play second fiddle to fellow tight end Mark Andrews while he gets eased back in following a long layoff.