NFL Player News

Dissly (shoulder) caught two passes for 21 yards on three targets in Saturday's 40-7 win over the Patriots.

It's possible that Dissly was playing injured and was less than his 100 percent self, as fellow tight end Stone Smartt (two catches for 23 yards on two targets) had not previously matched Dissly's catch count in any game where the two of them were both active for the whole game. Dissly did enter the game questionable with a shoulder injury. He was originally signed by the Chargers to be a blocking specialist -- Dissly's productive season as a pass catcher was out of necessity due to a lack of alternatives -- but the more Smartt emerges, the more the Chargers might reduce Dissly's pass-catching volume in favor of more of the blocking tasks the Chargers originally had in mind for Dissly.

Hudson (knee) will not play in Saturday's matchup with the Broncos.

No surprise here, as Hudson was deemed doubtful for this contest due to a knee injury sustained in Week 15. As a result, Cam Grandy and Tanner McLachlan will be the depth tight end options for Cincinnati behind Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample.

Fant is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

Fant was added to Saturday's injury report due to a calf injury, and he is now in danger of missing Sunday's NFC East clash. Fant hasn't registered a target across the seven games he's played in this season. Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford would serve as the Cowboys' three tight ends if Fant is ruled out for Sunday's contest.

Hurst (illness) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

While Hurst is unavailable Saturday, the Chargers will welcome Will Dissly (shoulder) back to their lineup, joining Stone Smartt and Tucker Fisk in the team's Week 17 tight end corps. Hurst will thus target a potential return to action next weekend against the Raiders.

Dissly (shoulder) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Dissly, who has missed the Chargers' last two contests, was listed as limited on Tuesday and Wednesday's practice reports before upgrading to full participation Thursday and then being deemed questionable for Saturday's contest. In his return to action, Dissly will have an opportunity to reclaim his lead role in a Los Angeles tight end corps that also includes Stone Smartt and Tucker Fisk. In 13 games thus far, Dissly has logged a 43/418/1 receiving line on 55 targets, a pace that makes him a fantasy lineup consideration in deeper formats.

Johnson (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Johnson upgraded to full practice participation Friday following a pair of capped sessions, which helped him avoid an injury designation. He'll work as a security blanket for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, though that hasn't been a fruitful role, as Johnson has posted 50 receiving yards or fewer in every game this season.

Alie-Cox (toe) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Alie-Cox had previously dealt with a hip injury that limited his practice reps in recent weeks. The toe issue is new, but Alie-Cox logged a full practice Friday after a pair of DNPs to open the week. He's been following this same regimen for a couple weeks now and has yet to miss a contest this season. Alie-Cox has 12 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown this season.

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.