NFL Player News
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Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | TEN
Titans' Chig Okonkwo: Cleared to face Seahawks
Okonkwo (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Okonkwo was limited in all three of Seattle's practices during the week but has the green light to suit up Sunday. He has 119 receiving yards on 12 targets over the past four games, while rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm has 103 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets during that span. Both Titans tight ends could see substantial involvement Sunday with the team depleted at wide receiver against a Seahawks defense that's allowing a league-high 6.7 receptions per game to tight ends.
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Austin Hooper TE | NE
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Cleared to face weak Bengals D
Hooper (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Hooper practiced without limitations Thursday and Friday after a limited session Wednesday, and he has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Hunter Henry remains New England's top pass catcher among tight ends. but Hooper could find success against a Bengals defense that has been by far the worst in the league at defending the position, allowing a league-high 80.8 receiving yards per game to tight ends, as well as 12 touchdowns to the position in 10 games.
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Mike Gesicki TE | CIN
Bengals' Mike Gesicki: Comes off IR
The Bengals activated Gesicki (pectoral) from injured reserve Friday.
Since injuring his pectoral Week 6 at Green Bay, Gesicki has missed the requisite four games on IR, and his ability to practice in full Wednesday and Thursday was enough for Cincinnati to bring him back to the active roster ahead of the weekend. He thus will be among the top TE options along with Noah Fant for whoever is helming the offense Sunday against the Patriots. Those options include Joe Burrow (toe, IR) and Joe Flacco (right shoulder).
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Cleared for Week 12
Njoku (knee) won't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday as he manages a knee issue, but the tight end's return to Friday's session paves the way for him to play versus Las Vegas this weekend. In the process, he'll remain a key target alongside fellow TE Harold Fannin, as well as WRs Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, in a Week 12 offense that will be helmed by Shedeur Sanders, who is making his first career regular-season start at QB with Dillon Gabriel (concussion) out.
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Thomas Fidone II TE | NYG
Giants' Thomas Fidone: Ruled out for Week 12
Fidone (foot) won't play Sunday against the Lions, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
Fidone has dealt with a foot injury throughout the season. The special teams contributor's next chance to play will come Dec. 1 at New England.
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Back at practice Friday
Njoku (knee) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so the tight end's return to the field Friday is a positive sign ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m ET game against the Raiders. The Browns' upcoming injury report will note both Njoku's official participation level Friday as well as his Week 12 game status.
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Sam LaPorta TE | DET
Lions' Sam LaPorta: Slim chance of return this season
LaPorta (back) has undergone surgery, and head coach Dan Campbell described LaPorta's chances of returning this season as "very, very slim" Friday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
LaPorta was placed on injured reserve Nov. 15. His earliest possible return date is Dec. 14, but Campbell's update suggests LaPorta will be out well beyond that point, most likely missing the remainder of the season. Campbell didn't completely shut the door on LaPorta returning, so the star tight end might make it back if the Lions put together a deep playoff run. Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley are the two remaining healthy options at the position on the active roster.
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Cade Stover TE | HOU
Texans' Cade Stover: Targeted twice in win
Stover was unable to bring in either of his two targets in Thursday's 23-16 win over the Bills in Week 12.
Stover played his second game since returning from a broken foot suffered in the season opener. He was on the field for 20 snaps, which represents an increase from Week 11. He's not a big piece of the offense but is a willing blocker as the No. 2 behind Dalton Schultz.
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Dalton Schultz TE | HOU
Texans' Dalton Schultz: Quiet night in win
Schultz caught one of four targets for eight yards in Thursday's 23-16 win over Buffalo in Week 12.
Schultz, who battled through a shoulder injury on a short week, had his fewest targets since Week 8. Houston's offense got off to another slow start behind quarterback Davis Mills, and it greatly benefited from the defense, which forced three turnovers and created two short-field opportunities. Those factors kept a lid on the air attack. Despite the low output, Schultz remains a key component of the team's passing game and ranks second on the club with 72 targets and 497 receiving yards.
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Keleki Latu TE | BUF
Bills' Keleki Latu: Elevated for TNF
Buffalo elevated Latu from the practice squad ahead of Thursday night's game against the Texans.
With Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) sidelined once again, Latu has been elevated for the second straight contest. Latu played six offensive snaps last Sunday against Tampa Bay and caught one pass for four yards.