NFL Player News

Strange (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans after practicing fully Friday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Strange was deemed limited on practice reports Wednesday and Thursday, but the tight end's full session Friday paves the way for him to suit up versus Tennessee. With Evan Engram (shoulder) on IR, Strange is in line to remain a key target for QB Mac Jones over his team's last two games this season. After racking up 11 catches for 73 yards on 12 targets in Week 15 against the Jets, Strange turned in a 2-22-0 effort on four targets in a 19-14 loss to the Raiders last weekend. In his current key role in the Jaguars offense, he merits consideration in Week 17 fantasy lineups.

Musgrave (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

In the wake of logging eight offensive snaps Monday versus the Saints in his first game action since Week 4, Musgrave was listed as limited on all three Week 17 practice reports due to his prior ankle issue. With his status clarified ahead of Sunday's contest, he's a candidate to ramp up his workload a bit behind No. 1 TE Tucker Kraft (hip), who also doesn't carry a designation into the weekend. Musgrave will be vying for reserve reps with John FitzPatrick and Ben Sims.

Kraft (hip) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest in Minnesota, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Kraft followed an LP/LP/FP practice regimen this week, while fellow tight end Luke Musgrave was listed as limited on all three Week 17 practice reports. Both players have been cleared for Sunday's game, which should result in Kraft taking on a majority share of the Packers' TE reps. Over the last five games, Kraft has combined for a 16-242-2 line on 20 targets.

Gray caught his only target for six yards in Wednesday's 29-10 win over the Steelers.

Gray was the only player to catch exactly one pass from Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday while seven Chiefs recorded two or more receptions. After posting four consecutive four-catch performances in Weeks 11-14, Gray has added only four catches in Weeks 15-17 combined.

With David Njoku (knee) ruled out, Akins is expected to play an expanded offensive role Sunday against the Dolphins, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

With Njoku sidelined in Week 15, Akins narrowly out-snapped Blake Whiteheart 33 to 23, but it was Akins who ran 25 routes to Whiteheart's seven in the pass game. Akins turned four targets into a 3-30-0 receiving line as the Browns' second-leading receiver in that contest. Akins is merely a desperation fantasy play at the tight end position in Week 17.

Kmet wasn't targeted in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Seahawks.

Kmet was far from the only Chicago player to post an underwhelming stat line as the Bears produced just 179 yards of offense en route to a 10th consecutive defeat. The lone target among Chicago's tight ends Thursday went to Gerald Everett. Kmet will look to bounce back Week 18 against a Packers defense that permitted him to catch three passes for 42 yards back in Week 11.

Njoku (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku failed to practice throughout the week after sustaining a knee injury during Cleveland's 24-6 loss to the Bengals in Week 16. Jordan Akins will fill in atop the tight end depth chart in what will be Njoku's fifth absence of the season. Njoku will have a chance to return against the Ravens in Week 18, but the Browns have little incentive to rush his return since the team has long been eliminated from postseason contention.

Tremble (shoulder/back) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Tremble once again should lead the Panthers' tight end group in playing time Week 17 after he played 75 percent of the offensive snaps last week against the Cardinals. He hasn't been a reliable source of fantasy production this season, as he's currently the overall TE38 in PPR points per game.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

With Njoku on track to log a third straight DNP listing, the tight end is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether he has a chance to play this weekend, but if Njoku is ruled out, Jordan Akins would step into an expanded role Week 17.

With Cade Otton (knee) ruled out for the second straight game, Durham once again is set for an expanded role Sunday against the Panthers, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

With Otton out last Sunday against Dallas, Durham dominated the playing time at tight end for Tampa Bay, logging 92 percent of the offensive snaps. He turned in a useful 5-29-0 line on seven targets and now catches a Carolina defense that has struggled badly against tight ends in fantasy this season.