NFL Player News

Schultz could see a higher-than-usual number of targets in Sunday night's game against the Lions with Houston's top two wideouts questionable for Week 10.

Schultz had been a forgotten component in the passing offense to start the season, but injuries have hit the wideout group since Week 1. Stefon Diggs (knee) is done for the season, Nico Collins (IR, hamstring) was designated to return from IR but logged one limited practice Friday and is questionable, and Tank Dell (back) popped up on Friday's injury report and is questionable. Schultz is averaging five targets per game for the season and has seen at least six throws come his way in four of the last five weeks, coinciding with the stretch of time that injuries began impacting the wide receivers. After catching five touchdowns during his first season in Houston, Schultz is still looking for his first score in 2024.

Sample did not see any targets in Thursday's loss to the Ravens.

Sample had his best game of the season with four catches and a touchdown in Week 9 against Las Vegas, but he was back to being a non-factor Thursday. Meanwhile, Bengals No. 1 tight end Mike Gesicki caught four passes (on nine targets) for 30 yards against Baltimore, and Tanner Hudson notched six catches (on seven targets) for 42 yards and a touchdown. Sample did finish second among the team's tight ends with 46 offensive snaps, but with zero receptions in seven of his 10 contests this season, he can't be counted on for offensive production on a weekly basis.

Grandy reverted to the Bengals' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Grandy was elevated to the Bengals' active roster Thursday and played 10 total snaps (four offensive and six on special teams) in Cincinnati's Week 10 loss to the Ravens, catching his only target for no yards. He could be elevated to the active roster again if the team's tight end room faces injuries later this season.

Smartt (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans.

Smartt practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week after missing the Chargers' Week 9 win over the Browns due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old is expected to play behind both Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst if he can suit up in Week 10.

Conklin practiced fully Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Arizona due to an ankle injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Conklin didn't appear on the Jets' Week 10 practice report until Friday, but the uncapped session wasn't enough to cement his status for the contest. He seems likely to suit up nonetheless, but it won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If Conklin is inhibited or even inactive, though, TEs Jeremy Ruckert and, to a lesser extent, Kenny Yeboah would stand to benefit.

Vannett (neck) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Vannett was listed on Thursday's injury report with a neck issue, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue as he was able to practice in full Friday and should be good to go for Week 10. Vannett has logged 10 catches (on 11 targets) for 78 yards and two touchdowns through eight regular-season games as the Titans' No. 2 tight end behind Chigoziem Okonkwo.

Yankoff (hamstring) did not practice Friday and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Yankoff appears to have picked up a hamstring injury during practice this week. He popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited practice participant and was listed as a DNP on Friday. The injury is severe enough for Yankoff to miss Sunday's game, but with the Commanders playing on a short week in Week 11, that could mean he may be sidelined for Thursday's NFC East clash against the Eagles on Nov. 14. With Yankoff sidelined for Sunday's game, Washington will go with Zach Ertz, John Bates and Ben Sinnott as the three tight ends on the active roster.

Pruitt (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pruitt popped up on the Steelers' injury report Thursday as a non-participant due to a knee issue, but he then upgraded to a full practice Friday, suggesting that he's returned to full health. Expect the Southern Illinois product to serve as Pittsburgh's fourth-string tight end in Week 10, playing behind Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward.

Pitts (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints.

WR Drake London, on the other hand, is listed as questionable with a hip injury. Both London and Pitts were limited practice participants Wednesday and Thursday, but the tight end upgraded to full participation Friday while his teammate remained limited. Although fellow tight end Charlie Woerner has eaten into Pitts' playing time recently, Pitts had four straight weeks with at least five targets and 70 receiving yards prior to falling flat last Sunday against the Cowboys (one catch for 11 yards on one target). Any limitations for London would improve Pitts' chances to see more first-read targets and get back on track for fantasy managers.

Johnson (knee/back) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Carolina, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Johnson was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday but should be fine for his normal workload as the starting tight end this Sunday in Munich. He had a career-high six targets and 51 receiving yards in last week's 27-22 loss to Washington, scoring his first career touchdown in the process.