NFL Player News

Dwelley (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Dwelley sustained a right high-ankle sprain in the 49ers' Week 13 win over the Eagles. He was unable to participate in practice all week and is set to miss his first game of the year. In Dwelley's absence, Brayden Willis is set to step into the No. 3 tight end role behind George Kittle and Charlie Woerner.

Strange (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Head coach Doug Peterson told reporters Friday that Strange wasn't expected to suit up this weekend, and he's since been officially ruled out for Sunday's affair. With Strange missing his second consecutive game Week 14, Luke Farrell will serve as the Jaguars' lone backup tight end behind Evan Engram.

Smythe (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Smythe was back on the field for the Dolphins' second official Week 14 practice session after he was a non-participant Wednesday. He's been able to play through the ankle issue over the past two contests, so Smythe is seemingly in good position to suit up once again this Monday versus the Titans. Though Smythe is the clear top tight end for Miami, he functions mostly as a blocker in the team's high-powered offense and has been limited to just seven receptions for 55 yards and no touchdowns over his last seven outings.

Goedert (forearm) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Dallas.

Goedert returned to practice as a limited participant last Friday and ultimately sat out a third straight game Sunday as the Eagles fell to the 49ers, but he was then listed as a full participant in practices Wednesday through Friday this week. While he steps back into the lineup for the first time since Week 9, Goedert will likely reclaim his typical three-down role, as the forearm fracture presumably didn't have much affect on his conditioning. Moreover, the results of the upcoming game could end up being the difference between the first seed and fifth seed in the NFC playoffs, so the Eagles have plenty of incentive to give their top tight end as much work as he can handle.

Bellinger didn't practice Friday due to an illness, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Assuming the ailment isn't too significant, Bellinger could still return to the field Saturday for the Giants' final Week 14 practice, which would clear up any concern about his status heading into Monday's game against Green Bay. While Darren Waller (hamstring) has been sidelined for the Giants' last four games before the team's Week 13 bye, Bellinger had served as New York's top tight end and compiled a 9-123-0 receiving line on 10 targets. The Giants have yet to designate Waller for return from injured reserve as of Friday, so Bellinger will presumably be in store for another sizable snap count Monday if he can overcome the illness.

Jordan is expected to draw another start at tight end Sunday against the Jets with Dalton Schultz (hamstring) ruled out for a second consecutive game, Tyler Greenawalt of USA Today reports.

Jordan produced a season-high 64 receiving yards in last week's win over the Broncos, and with Schultz ruled out again, the third-year tight end will have a nice opportunity to build on that performance against the Jets. The Jets enter Week 14 tied with New Orleans for the most touchdowns allowed to tight ends this season (seven).

Schultz (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets.

After a limited practice session Wednesday, Schultz didn't practice either Thursday or Friday and will miss a second straight game this weekend. In his absence, Brevin Jordan is once again expected to serve as Houston's top pass-catching tight end Week 14. Schultz will target a potential return to action Dec. 17 against the Titans in Week 15.

Conklin (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Texans after logging a full practice Friday.

After being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Conklin upgraded to full participation Friday. He'll work as the top tight end for the Jets on Sunday against a Texans defense that has allowed a league-high 81 receptions to the position group.

Johnson (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Johnson was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday, suggesting he's relatively healthy compared to the Saints' other main pass catchers. In addition to Michael Thomas (knee) still being on injured reserve, the team has WR Chris Olave (illness), WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and TE Taysom Hill (foot/hand) all listed as questionable after closing out the week with either two or three consecutive missed practices. Of the bunch, Johnson and Olave seemingly have the best odds to play, though it could come down to a game-time decision in both cases ahead of the Saints' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Knox (wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Knox will need to be activated from injured reserve before Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in order to be eligible to play Sunday, but head coach Sean McDermott said earlier Friday that the tight end has a good chance of returning to action. He logged a third consecutive full practice Friday, putting him on a path to end his five-game absence prior to the Bills' Week 13 bye. If available Sunday, however, Knox may have to settle for a smaller role than he held prior to undergoing wrist surgery. Rookie Dalton Kincaid has produced a 31-281-2 receiving line over the Bills' last five games to make a case for a greater share of the snaps at tight end.