NFL Player News

Kraft is set to take over as Green Bay's top tight end beginning with Thursday's game against Detroit after Luke Musgrave (abdomen) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

Kraft was selected 78th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, 36 picks after Musgrave. While Musgrave has played a much larger role up to this point in their respective rookie seasons, Kraft's usage in Green Bay's inexperienced tight end room has been growing. Kraft has played at least 28 snaps in each of the last three games and had a career-high 32 receiving yards in this past Sunday's 23-20 win over the Chargers. With Musgrave out, the team's options behind Kraft are Josiah Deguara (hip) and Ben Sims.

The Packers placed Musgrave (abdomen) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Following Sunday's win over the Chargers, Musgrave was sent to the hospital after he suffering what the Packers termed as an abdominal injury in the team's Week 11 win. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Musgrave has since been diagnosed with a lacerated kidney, and after landing on IR, the rookie tight end will now be sidelined for at least the next four games. Musgrave's absence will pave the way for fellow rookie Tucker Kraft to move up the depth chart and step in as Green Bay's starting tight end beginning with Thursday's game against the Lions.

Ogletree (foot) isn't practicing Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Ogletree missed the Colts' final game before a Week 11 bye and isn't ready for practice after the layoff. Another absence Sunday against Tampa Bay would leave more snaps for teammates Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory.

Musgrave is recovering from a lacerated kidney and won't be able to travel to Detroit for Thursday's game against the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though he played through injury in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Chargers and finished with four catches for 28 yards on six targets, Musgrave was hospitalized a day later for further observation. While Musgrave was discharged from the hospital Tuesday and is now resting at home and being monitored, his issue has been deemed serious enough that he won't be cleared to fly with the Packers to Detroit. Head coach Matt LaFleur merely said Tuesday that Musgrave's injury was "pretty significant," but the Packers aren't expected to officially rule the tight end out for Week 12 until after Wednesday's practice. While Musgrave is unavailable for the Packers' Thanksgiving Day game, fellow rookie Tucker Kraft is expected to step in as Green Bay's starting tight end.

Kolar played 12 of the Ravens' 66 snaps on offense and turned his lone target into a 13-yard reception in Thursday's 34-20 win over the Bengals.

Kolar has played double-digit snaps in four of the Ravens' past five games, but it wasn't until the Week 11 contest that he picked up his first target since Baltimore's season opener. It's no coincidence that both of the two targets Kolar has drawn this season have come in games in which top tight end Mark Andrews either didn't play or exited early due to injury. Andrews was removed from Thursday's contest with fibula and ankle injuries that are likely to result with him landing on injured reserve, so Kolar should have a path to a more prominent role on offense over Baltimore's next four contests. However, Kolar will likely be limited to the No. 2 role at tight end, as Isaiah Likely is expected to step in as Andrews' primary replacement in the starting lineup and could end up dominating the snaps at the position.

Smartt caught one of three targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers.

Smartt's trip to the end zone was his first score of the 2023 campaign. The 25-year-old tight end played behind Donald Parham with Gerald Everett (chest) ruled out for the contest. Smartt saw three targets for the second straight week, so it's possible he'll continue to see increased involvement for the Chargers' offense that is in need of playmakers. He'll have the opportunity to build off this performance when the Chargers host the Ravens in Week 12.

Swaim tallied two catches (on two targets) for 15 yards during Sunday's 21-16 defeat at Houston.

Swaim has started in two-TE sets along with second-year pro Trey McBride the last two games, and the former has managed a pair of receptions on both occasions. Additionally, with Zach Ertz (quadriceps) on IR since getting injured Week 7, Swaim's usage has ranged from 35 to 49 percent of the offensive snaps over the last four outings. McBride is the clear-cut top tight end for the Cardinals at the moment, but Swaim still has made marks, albeit minimal, in the box score in four of the last seven contests on his way to a 7-58-0 line on seven targets. Expect Swaim's role to continue for as long as Ertz is sidelined.

Washington signed with Baltimore's practice squad Tuesday.

Washington was let go from the Steelers' practice unit last week and it didn't take long for him to find a new home with the Ravens. The tight end will look will to earn a spot on the team's active roster and appear in his first game of 2023.

Musgrave (abdomen) was discharged from a Green Bay area hospital Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Musgrave seemingly emerged from Sunday's win over the Chargers unscathed, having posted four catches on six targets for 28 yards on a 63 percent snap share. However, coach Matt LaFleur revealed Tuesday that Musgrave reported an abdominal injury Monday and subsequently spent time in the hospital, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The issue was deemed "pretty significant" by LaFleur, and he didn't rule out an IR stint for the rookie tight end. With Musgrave's status in doubt for Thursday's game at Detroit and Josiah Deguara (hip) not practicing this week, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims figure to have larger roles in Week 12.

Smythe (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Miami's estimated injury report Tuesday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Smythe was forced to miss the Dolphins' Week 11 win over the Raiders while nursing an ankle injury, and his status to open the week seems to suggest that he is still bothered by the issue. The tight end's ability to practice Wednesday will give a clearer indication of his likely availability Friday versus the Jets. If Smythe is out again, Julian Hill and Tyler Kroft will again see increased workloads.