NFL Player News

Eagles rookie tight end Zach Ertz played in his first regular-season game Week 1 on Monday night in Washington. Ertz was a winner in his debut as he made his first NFL reception. 

Ertz's catch went for 11 yards from quarterback Michael Vick. He saw three targets in the game behind starter Brent Celek. Celek finished with two catches for 56 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown. 

The Eagles should continue to work Ertz more and more into the offense beginning Week 2 at home against the San Diego Chargers. 

Several Texans will suit up Monday night after being listed as probable on the injury report. They include corners A.J. Bouye (knee) and Brice McCain (knee), tight end Garrett Graham (hip), linebacker Whitney Mercilus (hamstring), safety Eddie Pleasant (knee), wideout DeVier Posey (Achilles), guard Wade Smith (knee) and linebacker Brooks Reed (back).

The Eagles have listed the following players as being inactive for the Week 1 Monday night game in Washington: Quarterback Matt Barkley; cornerback Shaun Prater; tackle Matt Tobin; defensive end Vinny Curry; and tight end Emil Igwenagu. 

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said the MRI on Dwayne Allen's injured hip was negative. Pagano said Allen, who was injured Sunday against the Raiders, will receive treatment Tuesday and is hopeful he will practice Wednesday.

The Colts are preparing to play the Dolphins Week 2.

Patriots rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld reportedly pulled a hamstring during Sunday's game against the Bills, which is why he didn't play in the fourth quarter, a source told The Boston Globe. Sudfeld had a disappointing debut Week 1, totaling no catches and one target, which deflected off his hands and was picked off by a Buffalo defender.

Injuries during the preseason limited Eagles tight end James Casey's reps and opened the door for speculation he might have cost himself a significant role in Chip Kelly's offense. Whether that is the case or not remains to be seen, but as for his role Week 1 at Washington, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has been noncommittal, according to The Philadelphia Daily News.

"He's doing a good job. Most likely he's going to be active and we'll use him," Shurmur said. "The one thing about our roster, I think on offense, anybody that's active is preparing to play the whole game, so we'll just have to see how many of the position or personnel groups that we use involve him . . . He's very multiple. He can play our wide spot. He can play our 'A' spot."

Shurmur wouldn't say if rookie Zach Ertz has moved ahead of Casey on the depth chart.

"I think you have your starter [Brent Celek] and then you have your guys who are role players. I wouldn't say that," Shurmur said.

The Cowboys received minor offensive contributions from a few role players in Week 1 against the Giants.

Running back Phillip Tanner coughed up the ball once and finished with one carry for two yards and one catch for a 9-yard gain.

In the passing game, wide receiver Terrance Williams was the team's third-leading receiver as he had two catches and finished with 32 yards. He was targeted four times. Dwayne Harris was targeted three times and finished with two catches for 12 yards. Tight end Gavin Escobar caught one pass for a 7-yard gain (two targets).

The Cowboys will travel to Kansas City for Week 2.

Eight Cardinals caught passes from Carson Palmer in the team's 27-24 loss in St. Louis.

Among them, tight end Jim Dray caught two balls for 21 yards, tight end Kory Sperry had a 16-yard catch and wideout Jaron Brown had a 14-yard grab. Running back Andre Ellington caught one of his three targets for 13 yards.

Jets fullback Tommy Bohanon, wide receiver Clyde Gates and tight end Konrad Reuland each played their parts in the Week 1 comeback win over the Buccaneers Sunday. 

Bohanon finished with one catch for 21 yards to lead the way out of that trio. Gates caught one pass for 17 yards, but saw four targets from QB Geno Smith. Bohanon was targeted twice. Reuland caught one pass for 7 yards on his only target. 

The Jets play at New England in Week 2 and all three players will hope to make another impact. 

Patriots rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld was considered a sleeper coming into Week 1 at Buffalo. He left Sunday's game looking like he was still asleep.

Sudfeld had no catches against the Bills on just one target. He wasn't part of the game plan, and he might not be the Fantasy option we expected, especially with Rob Gronkowski (back) coming back as early as Week 3.

The Patriots play the Jets on Thursday night in Week 2, and Sudfeld is now a risky starting option in all leagues. If you can, consider dropping Sudfeld for Julius Thomas, who scored two touchdowns for the Broncos against the Ravens in Week 1.

Sudfeld's disappearing act was one of the biggest disappointments in the opening week.