NFL Player News

Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Otton (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Otton thus will miss a second game in a row due to a left knee injury that has allowed him to practice only once (limited last Friday) over the last two weeks of prep. Payne Durham will take on most of the TE reps for the Buccaneers in Week 17, which amounted to five catches (on seven targets) for 29 yards on a 92 percent snap share this past Sunday at Dallas. Otton will turn his focus to getting healthy enough for a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

Fant secured four of five targets for 43 yards in the Seahawks' 6-3 win over the Bears on Thursday night.

Fant led the Seahawks in receptions and receiving yards, contributing his highest catch total since Week 6 in the process. Half of the veteran tight end's grabs and 25 of his receiving yards were sandwiched around the two-minute warning during the Seahawks' final drive of the first half, a march that culminated in a Jason Myers field goal. Fant has at least three catches in nine consecutive contests heading into a Week 18 road matchup against the Rams that could decide the NFC West champion.

Musgrave (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Green Bay has placed practice restrictions on both Musgrave and Tucker Kraft (hip) this week, but it doesn't appear as if either player's status is in peril for Sunday's game at Minnesota. Friday's injury report may provide clarity on the overall situation at tight end for the Packers in Week 17.

Kraft (hip) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

The Packers have capped the practice reps of both Kraft and Luke Musgrave (ankle) this week, but there's been no indication that the second-year tight ends are in danger of sitting out Sunday in Minnesota. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not either player has a designation for that contest.

Johnson (foot) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Johnson had his reps capped for the second day in a row as he continues to work through a foot issue that has resulted in the Saints listing him on injury reports for four consecutive weeks. He's managed to play in each of the previous three contests, and assuming he's experiencing no setbacks during his Week 17 prep, he should be ready to play Sunday against the Raiders. Even though he's played at least two-thirds of the offensive snaps in every game since the Saints' Week 12 bye, his fantasy prospects have taken a hit while Derek Carr (hand) has been out of the lineup the past two contests. Carr hasn't been officially ruled out for the Week 17 matchup with the Raiders but doesn't appear to be trending toward playing, likely putting Johnson on track to work with Spencer Rattler as his quarterback for at least one more game.

Strange (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.

Strange, who was also listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report, has been managing a shoulder issue, but he could approach Sunday's game against the Titans without an injury designation, as he did ahead of Week 16 action despite being limited in practice Wednesday through Friday. Strange, who racked up 11 catches for 73 yards on 12 targets in Week 15 versus the Jets, is coming off a 2-22-0 effort on four targets in the Jaguars' 19-14 loss to the Raiders this past weekend.

Hudson (knee) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Broncos after logging a DNP on Thursday's injury report.

Hudson has been held out of practice since suffering a knee injury during the Bengals' Week 15 win over the Titans. Cam Grandy and Tanner McLachlan would serve as Cincinnati's depth tight ends behind Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample if Hudson is inactive Saturday.

Otton (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Otton also kicked off last week with back-to-back DNPs before getting back on the field as limited Friday while donning a large brace on his left knee. He was listed as doubtful and then ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's game at Dallas, but it remains to be seen how the Buccaneers tag him ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Panthers. If Otton is inactive again Sunday, Payne Durham would pick up the slack at tight end for Tampa Bay.

Tremble (shoulder/back) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report.

Tremble didn't appear on Wednesday's injury report (which was a reflection of the Panthers' half-speed practice Tuesday), but it appears he is working through shoulder and back injuries that he might have picked up during Carolina's Week 16 overtime win over Arizona. Tremble's practice participation Friday will indicate his status heading into Sunday's NFC South clash against the Buccaneers. Rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders would see an increased snap count on offense if Tremble is unable to play Sunday.

The Chargers list Hurst (illness) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.

He's one of two Chargers tight ends taking a questionable tag into the weekend, as Will Dissly (shoulder) is also carrying a designation coming off a two-game absence. Hurst had missed five straight games with a hip injury before coming off injured reserve last week and playing eight snaps in this past Thursday's win over the Broncos. With the illness resulting in him logging just one limited practice this week, Hurst may not be in store for a dramatic increase in playing time Saturday if he's cleared to suit up.