NFL Player News

Pitts secured one of two targets for five yards in the Falcons' 35-14 win over the Packers on Thursday.

Pitts' slow start persisted Thursday despite Michael Penix making his season debut and taking the reins of the offense from the ineffective duo of Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Pitts has managed just two receptions for 20 yards on six targets through three games, but given how sharp Penix looked right out of the gate Thursday, the duo is bound to start clicking in coming games as they've done previously.

Kraft secured four of eight targets for 26 yards in the Packers' 35-14 loss to the Falcons on Thursday. He also recovered a fumble.

Kraft finished third in targets and catches on the night for the Packers, but in uncharacteristic fashion, the field-stretching tight end was limited to a short-area role. Kraft made an impressively rapid recovery from last year's torn ACL, which he suffered in Week 9 of the 2025 campaign, to open the season in his customary No. 1 tight end role. However, he's mustered a modest a 9-106-0 line on 17 targets through three games heading into a Week 4 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Parkinson (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

The tight end also had to miss Wednesday's walkthrough. Parkinson played on 77 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1 and 71 percent in Week 2, but now he appears to be in jeopardy of missing the Rams' Week 3 matchup with the Broncos. Fellow tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) upgraded to full participation Thursday after being limited Wednesday, and Davis Allen, Tyler Higbee and Max Klare are also healthy options at the position.

Bellinger (illness) did not participate in practice Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end was not listed on Wednesday's injury report. Bellinger, currently the No. 2 tight end on Tennessee's depth chart, played on 14 offensive snaps in Week 1 and 24 in Week 2. If he can't go Sunday versus the Giants, David Martin-Robinson and Kylen Granson might see more snaps behind starter Gunnar Helm.

Raridon (thigh) did not practice Thursday.

Raridon was injured in Sunday's 20-3 win over the Steelers. He practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday. However, the 22-year-old appeared to take a step back by missing Thursday's session. Raridon will have another opportunity to practice Friday or else he may carry an injury designation ahead of the Week 3 meeting with Jacksonville. The rookie appeared in both of the Patriots' games to begin the 2026 campaign, catching both targets for 32 yards and one touchdown.

Ferguson (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Ferguson kicked off Week 3 prep with a limited session Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but his ability log every on-field rep one day later indicates that the issue was a minor one. With his health now not in question, there's a decent chance he'll again serve as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Davante Adams this Sunday at Denver due to Puka Nacua's ongoing absence from practice as a result of a hip injury. In such a capacity during Monday's 28-6 win against the Giants, Ferguson went for six catches (on nine targets) for 54 yards and one touchdown.

Goedert (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Goedert didn't return after departing this past Sunday's win in Tennessee due to a knee injury, and Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that the tight end was expected to miss some time due to an MCL sprain. Thus, Goedert's lack of activity Thursday isn't a surprise, but the team has yet to officially rule him out for Monday's contest at Chicago. Assuming Goedert is inactive Week 3, Johnny Mundt, E.J. Jenkins and perhaps newcomer Zach Ertz, who is on the practice squad, will be manning tight end for the Eagles.

Taylor (thumb) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

After sitting out both of the Jets' first two Week 3 practices, Taylor appears to be trending toward sitting out Sunday's game in Detroit. Taylor's likely absence this weekend would clear the way for rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq to take on increased reps as the Jets' clear No. 1 option at tight end.

Bowers (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Though Bowers has remained listed as limited in three consecutive practices dating back to last Friday, it's generally a positive sign for his chances of being available to make his season debut this Sunday in New Orleans. Before deciding whether Bowers carries a designation into the weekend, the Raiders will see if he's able to potentially upgrade to full activity in Friday's session. If he ends up being cleared to suit up Sunday, Bowers could still have his snap count managed to some degree as he works to regain full conditioning coming off a meniscus trim of his left knee, which he underwent Sept. 8.

Bowers (knee) is practicing for a second straight day Thursday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Bowers is on the field for the second straight day and has now taken part in three straight Raiders practices dating back to last Friday. He was a limited participant in Wednesday's session, so if he can maintain that level of activity or upgrade to full participation Thursday, Bowers would be in good position to make his 2026 debut Sunday in New Orleans. The standout tight end missed the Raiders' first two games of the season while recovering from a Sept. 8 meniscus trim of his left knee.