NFL Player News

Firkser (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Chargers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Firkser hasn't played since Week 5 against the Buccaneers, as he's fallen down the team's positional depth chart. He'll work to earn a chance to suit up Thursday against the Panthers.

Waller (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Even though Waller managed limited participation in practice all week before taking a questionable tag into Sunday, the Raiders are choosing to exercise caution by holding the tight end out for a third consecutive game. Waller hasn't experienced any reported setbacks in his recovery from the injury, but Las Vegas is seemingly fearful that having the 30-year-old play at less than 100 percent health could result in an aggravation that would sideline him for a longer period of time. Foster Moreau should continue to serve as the Raiders' top tight end this week, but Waller should have a decent chance at making it back for Las Vegas' Week 10 matchup with the Colts if he remains free of setbacks during the team's upcoming practices.

Wright (concussion protocol) is listed as active Sunday versus the Packers.

Wright entered the protocol for head injuries following last Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, but progressing from no activity to Wednesday to a full practice Friday signaled that the tight end was on the right track to play Week 9. Indeed, that has come to pass, and he now is poised to take on a portion of the snaps vacated by T.J. Hockenson following the latter's move to the Vikings ahead of the trade deadline. Wright, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra are the Lions available at the position Sunday.

Pinkney was bumped up to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday.

Pinkney earned a spot on the team's practice squad after failing to make their 53-man roster out of camp. Assuming Pinkney suits up Sunday against the Buccaneers it'll be his first action of the season.

Likely is expected to serve as Baltimore's top tight end in Monday's game against New Orleans with Mark Andrews (shoulder/knee) listed as doubtful for the contest, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

While Andrews missed most of the Ravens' Week 8 win over the Buccaneers due to his pair of injuries, Likely stepped in to play two-thirds of the Ravens' offensive snaps, finishing with a 6-77-1 receiving line on seven targets. With Andrews now trending toward missing the entirety of Monday's game, Likely looks like a good bet to see his snap share climb even higher. Even the stellar receiving line may be replicable, as the Ravens are expected to not only be down Andrews, but also top wideout Rashod Bateman (foot), who is set to undergo season-ending surgery to address a Lisfranc injury. Beyond Likely, the Ravens' top pass-catching options are projected to be Devin Duvernay, James Proche, DeSean Jackson, Tylan Wallace and Kenyan Drake.

Waller (hamstring) is a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars, and the Raiders could take a cautious approach and hold him out, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Waller, who is officially listed as questionable, is reportedly closing in on a return after having been sidelined since Week 5 due to the hamstring injury. Rapoport notes that Las Vegas' primary concern is an aggravation for Waller if he returns to the field before being 100 percent healthy, so while the standout tight end's status will need to be monitored as Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff nears, fantasy managers may want to consider Foster Moreau as a potential pivot option.

Waller (hamstring), officially listed as questionable, is unlikely to play Sunday against the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Waller logged three limited practice sessions during the week but is still not fully healthy, according to Schefter. As a result, Waller is likely to miss his third consecutive game. In the two games that Waller has missed, Foster Moreau has racked up 14 targets and could be in line for a significant role once again against Jacksonville.

Yeboah was signed to the Jets' active roster Saturday.

Yeboah has spent the majority of the season on the practice squad but had been elevated for three previous games. He'll now join the active roster and is likely to contribute primarily on special teams.

Hockenson will be a "key part" of the Vikings' offense Sunday against the Commanders, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Hockenson was traded to Minnesota on Tuesday, but he worked extra hours to get caught up on the team's game plan while preparing on a short week. Hockenson will almost certainly make his Minnesota debut Sunday, but it remains unclear exactly how much he will play. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Johnny Mundt take on a larger role as a receiver in Week 9 in the absence of Irv Smith (ankle).

Muse was elevated from the Vikings' practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders.

Muse will be elevated for the second time this season, the first of which came in Week 5. He played only two snaps and will have a minimal role on offense behind T.J. Hockenson and Johnny Mundt.