NFL Player News

Conner (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Arizona.

Conner has played in each of the first six games of the regular season, accumulating three catches (on four targets) for 16 yards over that span. However, he will observe Sunday's game on the sidelines as the Dolphins go with Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill and Durham Smythe as the three active tight ends.

The Eagles did not activate Okwuegbunam (abdomen) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Chris McPherson of the Eagles' official site reports.

Okwuegbunam has been on IR all season while recovering from the core-muscle surgery he underwent in August, but he looks to be back to 100 percent after turning in a trio of full practices in both of the past two weeks. He didn't carry a designation into Sunday's contest, but the Eagles won't look to open up a spot on the 53-man roster for him just yet, even with top tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) set to miss a second straight game. Okwuegbunam's 21-day evaluation window will come to a close Nov. 6, so the Eagles will have to activate him by then, or else he won't be eligible to play this season.

Otton should have a good chance for an increase in targets over the next several games thanks to the Buccaneers' short-handed receiver corps, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The third-year tight end's experience and increasing comfort level in coordinator Liam Coen's offense should certainly be integral in helping the Buccaneers navigate what is expected to be a three-game absence for Mike Evans (hamstring) and the loss of Chris Godwin (ankle) for the remainder of the regular season. Otton had already been coming on in recent weeks following a very slow first two games, posting 26 receptions for 258 yards and a touchdown over his last five contests. Otton recorded a career-best 8-100 line on 10 targets during the Week 7 loss to the Ravens which Evans exited in the first half, and similarly busy days in the weeks ahead could be forthcoming when also factoring in the many short and intermediate targets that Godwin leaves behind.

Kittle (foot), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kittle suffered a foot sprain in last week's loss to Kansas City and missed practice Wednesday, but after logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday, he looks to be trending toward playing Sunday. Official word on Kittle's status will arrive 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, when the 49ers will release their inactive list. The 49ers are expecting to have both Kittle and wideout Deebo Samuel (illness) -- who is also listed as questionable -- available Sunday, a major boon for a passing game that will be without Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (hip).

The Lions elevated Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Zylstra is being elevated for a second consecutive week, giving him an opportunity to suit up and handle a depth role Sunday versus Tennessee. He played three offensive snaps Week 7 versus the Vikings and was not targeted.

The Jets announced Saturday that Yeboah (abdomen) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Yeboah won't be activated from IR in time to suit up for Sunday's divisional matchup against New England. The depth tight end's next chance to play will come Thursday, Oct. 31 at home versus the Texans.

The Cowboys placed Stephens (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Stephens is done for the 2024 season after suffering a left ACL tear in practice Wednesday. He missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear in the same knee, a reality that leaves the 2023 UDFA out of Louisiana with a difficult road to recovery. He remains under contract with Dallas through the 2025 season.

Bryant (elbow) did not practice Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Bryant injured his elbow during the Raiders' Week 7 loss to the Rams. Given that he hasn't practiced all week, Bryant is likely leaning on the negative side of questionable ahead of Sunday's game. Nevertheless, official word of his status may not be known until the Raiders' inactive list is announced approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If Bryant cannot play, John Samuel Shenker would step up as the Raiders' backup tight end behind rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers.

Tonyan reverted to the Vikings' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Tonyan played six snaps (two on offense, four on special teams) and did not record a stat during the Vikings' 30-20 loss to the Rams on Thursday night. Tonyan has been elevated from the practice squad three times this year, which is the most that a team can elevate a player in a season. The Vikings would have to sign the 30-year-old tight end to the active roster if they wish for Tonyan to continue to play for Minnesota.

Okwuegbunam (abdomen) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Despite Okwuegbunam having no injury designation, he'll still have to be activated from injured reserve by Saturday in order to play Sunday. With Dallas Goedert (hamstring) set to miss a second consecutive game in Week 8, Okwuegbunam could have an opportunity to serve as a secondary pass-catching option at tight end behind Grant Calcaterra.