NFL Player News

Whyle (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Bengals due to an ankle injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Whyle caught both of his targets for 26 yards and a touchdown before leaving the contest. In his absence, Kevin Rader could see a few additional snaps behind Chigoziem Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco.

Freiermuth won't return to Sunday's game against the Texans due to a hamstring injury, Burt Lauten of Steelers.com reports.

Before being forced out of the contest, Freiermuth caught three of his four targets for seven yards. In his absence, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward are next in line for snaps at tight end.

Hendershot (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Hendershot was added to the injury report Friday after not being listed Wednesday or Thursday. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but he'll be forced to miss at least one game due to the ankle issue. In his absence, rookie Luke Schoonmaker should see additional snaps as the primary backup to starting tight end Jake Ferguson.

Johnson (calf) won't return to Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

Not long after Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, the Saints relayed that Johnson was questionable to return due to a calf injury. Upon additional testing, he won't be available to the offense for the rest of Week 4. With Foster Moreau (ankle) inactive, Jimmy Graham is New Orleans' only healthy and available tight end Sunday. Johnson's next chance for game action will arrive Sunday, Oct. 8 at New England.

Smith caught all six of his targets for 95 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Jaguars.

The veteran tight end led the Falcons in catches and receiving yards on the day, while Kyle Pitts was limited to a 2-21-0 line on four targets. The 95 yards were also a new career high for Smith, and his familiarity with head coach Arthur Smith's scheme from their days together in Tennessee appears to be paying dividends. Smith the TE will look to get into the end zone for the first time this season in a Week 5 clash with the Texans.

Johnson is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers due to a calf injury, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

The Saints made the announcement not long after kickoff, so it's unclear if Johnson actually saw the field. If Johnson is unable to return, the team will be down to just one healthy tight end (Jimmy Graham) on the game-day roster with Foster Moreau (ankle) inactive.

Engram caught seven of eight targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Falcons.

Engram trailed only wideout Christian Kirk for Jacksonville's team lead in catches, targets and receiving yards. The tight end has hauled in at least five passes in all four games this season, garnering eight looks in three straight weeks. However, Engram is yet to find the end zone, something he'll strive to change in the Week 5 game against the Bills in London.

Kroft (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Bills.

Kroft will watch this one from the sidelines, this time as a healthy scratch, after missing his Week 3 contest due to a back injury. Durham Smythe and Julian Hill will be the only two tight ends suiting up for Miami, while they also have Alec Ingold at fullback.

Higbee (Achilles) is listed as active Sunday in Indianapolis, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Fresh off a season-high 71 yards on five targets last Monday at Cincinnati, Higbee wasn't able to practice until Friday's limited session due to an Achilles injury. In the midst of it all, he and the Rams agreed to a three-year, $27 million extension Friday, but his status for Week 4 remained in question until Sunday morning. With his availability now confirmed, Higbee will aim to uphold the recent investment made in him against a Colts defense that has conceded the 10th-most yards per target (7.9) to opposing tight ends in the current campaign.

Moreau (ankle) is inactive Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Moreau closed out the week with back-to-back limited practices, but the LSU product is still not healthy enough to take the field. His absence should open up more opportunities for Jimmy Graham and possibly Taysom Hill.