NFL Player News

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

Smith isn't injured but the Bengals are leaving him off Saturday's game-day roster while rolling with Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox at tight end. Smith has just 18 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown in 12 appearances for Cincinnati.

Cager (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Eagles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Cager seems to have suffered a groin injury at some point within the last week, but even after consecutive DNPs to open the Giants' week of practice, he's got a shot at suiting up in Week 16. If the 26-year-old were to miss Monday's affair, Daniel Bellinger and Darren Waller would likely stand as the only tight ends active for New York.

Henry (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday night's game against the Broncos.

After sitting out practice Wednesday and Thursday, Henry logged a limited session Friday before being deemed questionable by the Patriots. With Henry now unavailable to face Denver, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown are slated to handle the team's tight end duties Sunday, and in that context both players now profile as potential Week 16 fantasy darts in deeper formats.

Moreau totaled one reception (on two targets) for 13 yards during Thursday's 30-22 defeat to the Rams.

After back-to-back weeks as the Saints' feature tight end, Moreau took a backseat role behind Juwan Johnson, as the latter played increased offensive snaps (42) and caught four of seven targets and saw increased offensive snaps (42) Thursday. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Moreau's playing time took a dip, as he played just 40 percent of offensive snaps compared to 63 and 72 percent of offensive snaps in the previous two contests. Johnson also previously played a larger offensive role before dealing with a lingering quad injury for three weeks. Barring injury, it's likely than Johnson will now reprise this larger role over Moreau for the final two weeks of the regular season.

Dwelley (ankle) did not practice Friday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dwelley has missed San Francisco's past two games due to an ankle injury, and his chance of playing Monday against Baltimore isn't strong given that he has sat out the team's first two practices this week. In fact, the veteran tight end hasn't been able to practice at all since getting hurt Week 13 versus Philadelphia. Brayden Willis could continue to see a handful of snaps on offense Monday if Dwelley is sidelined again.

Okonkwo didn't practice Friday due to an illness and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday, Okonkwo sat out Friday's session, so his status will need to be monitored ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Okonkwo is one of three Tennessee tight ends carrying a questionable tag, joining Josh Whyle (knee) and Trevon Wesco (shin).

Strange (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

The rookie tight end out of Penn State was limited all week in practice after missing Jacksonville's last three games with this foot issue, and he has a shot at suiting up Week 16. Even if Strange is able to play Sunday, he'd likely see minimal work on offense, as he's behind both Evan Engram and Luke Farrell on the Jaguars' depth chart.

Henry (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Denver.

After sitting out the Patriots' first two practice sessions of the week, Henry took the field Friday, albeit as a limited participant. Henry's return to practice was at least enough for the Patriots to leave the door open for the tight end to play Sunday, but clarity on his status one way or the other won't officially arrive until New England posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Henry can't play this weekend, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown would see expanded roles at tight end.

Dulcich (hamstring/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports reports.

Dulcich has yet to be activated from injured reserve after being designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 13. The Broncos have 21 days from that date to add the tight end back to the active roster, and Dulcich would have to miss the remainder of the season if he isn't activated during that window. Denver's injury report lists both a hamstring and foot injury for Dulcich, but the latter is believed to be the primary problem hindering his availability at the moment after the former led to his placement on IR to begin with.

Mayer (toe) didn't practice Friday.

Mayer has been unavailable for each of Vegas' first two practices this week, but he'll have one more chance to practice Saturday before the Raiders release their Week 16 injury report for Monday's game against the Chiefs. The rookie tight end scored his second NFL touchdown in last Thursday's win over the Chargers, but alternatives will be limited for Mayer's fantasy managers if his status is still in doubt heading into Monday's game, though at least there are two additional games scheduled after the Raiders' 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Christmas.