NFL Player News

The Raiders elevated Runyon from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup versus the Bears.

Runyon is being elevated for the first time this season to help fill the void left by Michael Mayer's (concussion) absence. Runyon is one of two tight ends alongside Albert Okwuegbunam that the Raiders elevated, and they should both provide extra depth behind Brock Bowers and Ian Thomas during Sunday's matchup.

The Raiders elevated Okwuegbunam from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup versus the Bears.

Okwuegbunam will likely serve as the team's No. 3 tight end Sunday behind Brock Bowers and Ian Thomas, as Michael Mayer has been ruled out with a concussion. Okwuegbunam can contribute on both offense and special teams. He will be eligible to be elevated two more times this season.

The Jaguars elevated Morris from the practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Morris is set to be elevated for the third time this season and would need to be signed to the active roster in order to appear in another game following Sunday's matchup. He played exclusively on special teams across his first two appearances and will likely have a similar role versus San Francisco.

The Ravens signed Mitchell-Paden off their practice squad Saturday.

The Florida Atlantic product was elevated for each of Baltimore's first three games this season, playing 67 total snaps (44 on offense, 23 on special teams) and failing to haul in his lone target. However, he's proved to be a great blocker and a key part of the Ravens' rushing success, which likely earned him a spot on the active roster. Mitchell-Paden is expected to play behind both Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar in the Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.

Waller (hip) does not carry an injury designation heading into Monday's game against the Jets, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

As expected, Waller has been cleared to make his 2025 regular-season debut after missing the first three games due to a lingering hip issue. The veteran tight end announced his retirement from the NFL in 2024, but he opted to reverse course and was traded by the Giants to the Dolphins in July. Given that Monday will be Waller's first regular-season action since the 2023 campaign, Waller will likely work in a rotational role at tight end alongside Julian Hill and Tanner Conner.

The Bears elevated Carlson from their practice squad to active roster Saturday.

With Colston Loveland (hip) expected to miss Chicago's Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, Carlson adds depth to the team's tight end corps. The 28-year-old from Princeton last played for the Bears in 2023, appearing in one game and logging one special-teams snap.

Fant (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Broncos.

Fant entered the league's concussion protocol following the Bengals' Week 3 loss to the Vikings. He was unable to practice all week, and as a result he'll be in street clothes for Monday's contest. With Fant out, Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki will serve as the Bengals' top tight ends while Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy operate in a rotational role against Denver. Fant's next opportunity to play is Week 5 against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Loveland (hip) is not expected to play against the Raiders on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Loveland missed the first two practices of the week due to a hip injury he picked up during the Bears' Week 3 win over the Cowboys. He earned the questionable tag for Week 4 after logging a limited practice Friday, but it appears the rookie first-rounder is trending toward being in street clothes for Sunday's tilt. Cole Kmet will continue to serve in a near every-down role, but Loveland's likely absence opens the door for Durham Smythe to see extended playing time in multi-TE formations. Stephen Carlson was also elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to provide additional depth at tight end due to Loveland's anticipated absence.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said Saturday that Waller (hip) is set to make his 2025 debut Monday against the Jets, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Waller missed the Dolphins' first three games of the regular season due to a hip injury that stemmed from training camp. He opened the week with back-to-back limited practices, but the veteran tight end is expected to suit up in Monday's AFC East clash, which will impact the offensive snap count for fellow tight ends Julian Hill and Tanner Conner. Waller last saw regular-season action in 2023 with the Giants, when he logged 52 catches (on 74 targets) for 552 yards and one touchdown across 12 games.

Engram (back) practiced fully Friday.

A back issue prevented Engram from practicing and playing in Week 3, but following full practices both Thursday and Friday, the tight end is poised to return to action Monday night against the Bengals. With just four catches (on six targets) for 33 yards in his first two games with the Broncos, the early returns on Engram aren't great, but assuming his back injury is no longer an issue, he's a player capable of picking up the pace, as soon as Monday. With that in mind, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com relays that Engram indicated Friday that he feels "great" ahead of Week 4 action, while, for his part, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi told Stevens that he believes Engram will "be getting going here real soon."