NFL Player News

Johnson (calf) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that he expected to have Johnson back in the lineup this Sunday against the Colts. The tight end has now taken a tangible step forward after missing four games and three weeks of practice, though his availability may remain in doubt if he can't progress to full participation by the end of the week. Taysom Hill (chest) took on the largest pass-catching role of his career the past two games but likely will see a drop in targets once Johnson is formally cleared to play.

Waller was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a hamstring issue, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Waller previously was plagued by a hamstring injury Weeks 1 and 2, but he played through it and has yet to miss a game as a member of the Giants. Overall, he's put together a respectable 35-380-1 receiving line on 49 targets while working with two different quarterbacks in Daniel Jones (neck) and Tyrod Taylor. Still, Waller's status will be one to monitor as the week goes on to ensure he's on pace to suit up Sunday versus the Jets.

Granson (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Granson didn't practice at all last week and ended up sitting out Sunday's 39-38 loss to the Browns. In his absence, Drew Ogletree picked up most of the snaps at tight end in passing situations but didn't draw any targets. If Granson misses another game this Sunday against New Orleans, more work would be left available for some combination of Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory.

Whyle (concussion) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Whyle suffered a concussion in Week 6 prior to the Titans' bye week, but it looks like he has yet to clear the league's protocol. More clarity on his status for Sunday's game against the Falcons will come as the week progresses.

Musgrave (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Musgrave left Sunday's loss to Denver early in the fourth quarter and was spotted with a walking boot on his left foot after the game. Fellow rookie Tucker Kraft played every snap on offense after Musgrave's departure, but it could be more of a committee effort at tight end this Sunday against the Vikings if Musgrave ends up inactive.

Njoku won't practice Wednesday due to a knee issue, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku logged 72 of a possible 75 snaps on offense in the Browns' 39-38 win over the Colts this past Sunday, finishing with five catches for 54 yards on nine targets. The knee issue is a new concern for Njoku, but with no reported issues coming out of this past Sunday's contest, he may just have been held out of Wednesday's session for maintenance purposes. The tight end will have two more chances to practice in advance of this weekend's game against the Seahawks.

Waller isn't on the field for the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Head coach Brian Daboll said Waller would be a limited participant, suggesting the tight end may still join his teammates once he's done getting treatment for an unspecified injury. Waller is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, having caught seven of eight targets for 98 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Commanders. The Giants don't sound too worried about their star tight end's availability for a matchup with the Jets this Sunday.

Carolina signed Matthews to its practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Matthews sustained a torn ACL in August of 2022 that forced him out for the entirety of last season, but he'll now be back in pads with the Panthers. Carolina already holds three healthy tight ends on its active roster, so it would be somewhat surprising to see Matthews elevated in the near future.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that Woods (hamstring) is "getting closer" to a return to practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Woods was placed on injured reserve in advance of Week 1, but the 2022 third-round pick looks to be inching toward his season debut. Assuming Woods is activated off IR in the coming weeks, he would re-enter a crowed Colts tight end corps that also includes Kylen Granson (concussion), Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory.

Morris (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers.

With Dawson Knox (wrist) also sidelined, Dalton Kincaid is the lone healthy tight end on the Bills' 53-man roster at the moment, though Joel Wilson will presumably be elevated from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game. Morris' next chance to see game action will arrive Nov. 5 against the Bengals.