NFL Player News

Ruckert (concussion) was placed on the Jets' injured reserve Saturday.

This means Ruckert's season is over, and he will now have to set his sights on preparing for the 2024 campaign. He will end the year with 151 yards on 16 receptions across 15 games. In his absence, Kenny Yeboah and Zack Kuntz will be available to provide depth at tight end behind Tyler Conklin.

Mayer (toe) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Mayer had already been ruled out for Sunday's finale prior, but the Raiders wanted to open up a roster spot for the final week of the regular season. The rookie tight end was widely lauded as a sure-fire starter in the league, but he ended up splitting time frequently with Austin Hooper the entire campaign and ended up with a 27-304-2 line on the season. The 22-year-old Mayer likely still projects as a clear-cut starter in future seasons, but it's certainly been a frustrating season for fantasy managers who expected Mayer to flash to the same extent as fellow rookies Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid and Luke Musgrave.

The Packers activated Musgrave (kidney) from injured reserve Saturday, but he remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Musgrave has strung together back-to-back weeks of limited listings on Green Bay's injury reports as he put the finishing touches on his recovery from the lacerated kidney that he sustained Week 11 against the Chargers. If he's able to suit up Sunday, he may serve in a secondary role behind fellow tight end Tucker Kraft as the former eases back into the rigors of game action. Prior to the IR stint, Musgrave was putting together a nice rookie campaign (33-341-1 on 45 targets in 10 games).

Wright (hip) has been ruled out from Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Minnesota.

Wright will sit out a third straight game due to a hip injury that has kept him out of practice since he was hurt versus the Broncos in Week 15. James Mitchell has been seeing more work in Wright's absence, and Anthony Firkser has been active on game day each of the past two weeks. Firsker was waived Thursday, but he could be back on Detroit's practice squad in time to be elevated for Sunday's regular-season finale.

Manhertz (illness) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against Las Vegas.

An illness has prevented Manhertz from participating in any capacity during Week 18 prep, and he's consequently been deemed unavailable for Denver's season finale. The tight end thus will finish the season with two catches (on four targets) for 16 yards over 16 games. Manhertz typically plays from one-third to one-half of Denver's offensive snaps, and those could be absorbed by Nate Adkins on Sunday.

Dwelley (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran tight end hasn't played since Week 13. Charlie Woerner and Brayden Willis should see plenty of action Sunday against the Rams with the Niners expected to rest several key starters, including George Kittle.

Smartt (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Smartt was upgraded to full practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday, a sign he has a decent chance to suit up versus Kansas City. Smartt has nine catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets this season.

Mayer (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Broncos, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Mayer's rookie season will end with three consecutive absences. Austin Hooper should continue to fill in as Vegas' top tight end against a Denver defense that has struggled to defend the position. Mayer finishes his first NFL campaign with 27 catches on 40 targets for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown (ribs) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets.

Brown likely suffered a ribs injury during New England's Week 17 loss to the Bills, but he was able to practice in a limited fashion throughout the week, and he has a chance to play Sunday. The 29-year-old saw his highest snap share of the season (68 percent) in last Sunday's loss, and he could have the opportunity to see increased work on a Patriots offense that's without Hunter Henry (knee) again in Week 18.

Kelce (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Kelce was limited in all three of Kansas City's practices but will be available for the regular-season finale. Locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC either way, the Chiefs have the option to rest some of their top players in preparation for the playoffs, and they will be starting Blaine Gabbert rather than Patrick Mahomes under center. Kelce needs just 16 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the eighth consecutive season, but it's likely that he'll play just long enough to reach that threshold before joining Mahomes on the sidelines.