Niklas (ankle) was placed on injured reserve by the Cardinals on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Niklas had been dealing with a high ankle sprain, and although the team was optimistic at first, the injury will turn out to be season-ending. The 6-foot-6 rookie out of Notre Dame will finish his first NFL season with three catches on three targets for 38 total yards. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals signed Matthew Mulligan to provide tight end depth in Niklas' stead.

Niklas is dealing with a high ankle sprain, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

Per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com, coach Bruce Arians hopes that Niklas' issue is not season-ending, though at this stage, at the very least, the tight end is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Niklas has an MRI on his left ankle on tap, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

The report relays that there are fears that Niklas could be out for the rest of the season after re-inuring his ankle Sunday, though with just three catches for 38 yards in seven games to date, the rookie tight end's fantasy impact has been minimal.

Niklas re-injured his left ankle during Sunday's win over the Lions, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Niklas, who caught one pass for five yards in Sunday's game, previously missed Weeks 6-8 with a high ankle sprain. An aggravation of the same injury could result in a prolonged absence, but the impact on Arizona's offense would be minimal. Niklas typically logs fewer than 20 snaps per game, and he has only caught three passes this season.

Niklas played 13 of the Cardinals' 66 offensive snaps during Sunday's victory over the Rams, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Niklas notched his second career catch early in the third quarter, but the play also doubled as his second target of the season, which doesn't inspire much confidence in his ability to produce. Moreover, he ranked third in terms of tight end snaps behind John Carlson (59) and Rob Housler (17). With no sign of increased usage on the horizon, Niklas will now have to contend for looks in a Drew Stanton-led offense following Carson Palmer's season-ending ACL tear.

Niklas (ankle) is active for Sunday's contest at Dallas, the Cardinals' official site reports.

Niklas is logging his first appearance since Week 5's defeat in Denver. However, with just one target on his ledger to date, the rookie out of Notre Dame hasn't made a claim to significant reps over the likes of John Carlson or even Rob Housler.

Niklas (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas.

Niklas won't have much of a role in the Arizona offense even after he makes his return, but his dynasty owners understandably would like to see him make some sort of impact in his rookie year. Niklas was limited in practice all week.

Niklas (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against Oakland.

The rookie will miss his second straight game with the ankle issue. High ankle sprains often keep players out around a month, so Niklas might miss a couple more.

Niklas (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

Suffering through a high ankle sprain, Niklas missed his first game in Week 6 and seems poised for another absence Sunday at Oakland. His lack of practice during the week would all but confirm inactive status.

Niklas (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Washington.

Niklas has just one target on the year, so he quite simply isn't prominent enough in the Arizona offense for his absence to matter much this week. He's mostly a dynasty league consideration for now.

Niklas has a high ankle sprain and will undergo an MRI on Monday, Darren Urban of azcardinals.com reports.

Niklas will surely miss some time due to his ankle injury and Monday's MRI should help determine just how long. Expect an update of Niklas' prognosis to come shortly.

Niklas suffered a left ankle injury during Sunday's game in Denver and is considered questionable to return.

Niklas wasn't targeted in the passing game prior to exiting Sunday's game. His absence leaves the Cardinals with one less option at tight end behind John Carlson and Rob Housler.

Niklas hauled in his first NFL target for 16 yards during Sunday's victory against the Giants in New York. Moreover, he took the field for just 17-of-68 offense snaps for the Cardinals, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

After his selection in the second round of this year's draft, Niklas is slowly working into Arizona's passing game but has so far ranked behind veteran tight ends John Carlson and Rob Housler. However, the rookie's true potential may not emerge until the nerve weakness in Carson Palmer's throwing shoulder subsides. In the meantime, backup Drew Stanton will helm the offense, holding down Niklas' value.

Niklas (hand) wasn't listed on the Cardinals' injury report in advance of Monday's opener against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

After suffering a broken bone in his right hand during OTAs, Niklas donned an ever-smaller cast as the preseason continued and finally ditched the final one prior to the preseason finale. The injury may have hindered his chances of beginning the season as a starter, as he's listed behind fellow tight ends John Carlson and Rob Housler on the depth chart, but Niklas' pedigree (he was the Cardinals' second-round pick this year) should allow him to wrangle a decent role in the passing game as his rookie season progresses.

Niklas (hand) received his first NFL action Sunday against the Bengals, gathering in one of two targets for minus-three yards.

According to the Cardinals' official site, Niklas was finally free of any cast on his right hand, which suffered a fracture during OTAs. His ability to catch and block was hindered in the meantime, but after his selection in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, there's little doubt that he'll find himself on the 53-man roster to begin the season. However, due to his delay in grasping the offense, the rookie may not usurp John Carlson or Rob Housler for snaps at tight end any time soon.

Niklas' right hand remains in a soft cast, but he'll don a smaller one during Saturday's preseason opener versus the Texans, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Until the hand is devoid of a supporting device, Niklas will hold questionable status heading into the regular season. What isn't questioned is landing a spot on the Cardinals' 53-man roster out of training camp due to his status as a second round pick in this year's NFL Draft. His job was further cemented by Wednesday's announcement of Jake Ballard's retirement, but Niklas must display adeptness in the offensive scheme, both as a blocker and pass catcher, if he desires outpacing the likes of John Carlson and Rob Housler for snaps during the first weeks of the upcoming campaign.

Cardinals rookie TE Troy Niklas (hand surgery) was medically cleared for the start of training camp.

He recovered on schedule. Niklas' draft position (No. 52 overall) initially seemed to suggest he'd start right away in Arizona, but he broke the hand at OTAs and is now behind Jake Ballard and John Carlson. Even if Niklas climbs the depth chart in camp, he is unlikely to be a re-draft league factor under Bruce Arians.

Cardinals second-round TE Troy Niklas (broken hand) is questionable for the start of training camp.

The word came from coach Bruce Arians on Thursday, who hinted on Tuesday he expected Niklas to be ready. Either way, Niklas should be ready for the second or third preseason game. His Week 1 status is not in doubt.

Cardinals second-round TE Troy Niklas suffered a broken hand at OTAs last week and is out until training camp.

Niklas was also a bit limited due to recovery from sports-hernia surgery. Coach Bruce Arians remains confident he'll be ready for the start of training camp. Possibly the top two-way tight end on the roster, Niklas should play a prominent role on offense right out of the gate. Arians prefers strong blockers at tight end.

Cardinals second-round TE Troy Niklas is recovering from offseason sports-hernia surgery.

It comes with a 4-6 week recovery timetable. Niklas may be limited some before camp, but he should be 100 percent well before summer. The No. 52 overall pick has a chance to play a major role right out of the gate. Coach Bruce Arians loves tight ends who can block. Niklas was one of the best two-way tight ends available in the draft. He, John Carlson, and Rob Housler will compete for snaps.