NFL Player News

Njoku (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game in Green Bay, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

A mid-week addition to the Browns' injury report, Njoku's reps were capped Wednesday and Thursday, but his knee issue evidently wasn't concerning enough for Cleveland to give him a questionable tag heading into the weekend. After playing 100 percent of the offensive snaps in Cleveland's 16-14 loss to Las Vegas on Monday, Njoku should see a downturn in opportunities with top tight end Austin Hooper (illness) having been restored from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Cleveland has still made liberal use of two-tight end sets when Hooper has been available, so expect Njoku to be on the field for at least half of the Browns' plays.

The Saints placed Hill (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Hill was one of nine New Orleans players added to the list Thursday, all the result of positive COVID-19 tests, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If Hill is vaccinated and asymptomatic, he'll be eligible to play Monday against the Dolphins, but the Saints already seem to be proceeding as though neither he nor top backup Trevor Siemian (illness) will be available to return from the list Week 16. That leaves rookie fourth-round pick Ian Book as the likely candidate to start in his NFL debut Monday night in a game that has major playoff implications for both the Saints and the Dolphins.

Ertz (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's contest versus the Colts, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ertz kicked off Week 16 prep with back-to-back limited listings on Cardinals injury reports, only to cap it with a full showing at Thursday's practice. He's thus set to take on an Indianapolis defense that has allowed the most total yards (949) and fifth-most touchdowns (eight, tied with three other teams) to tight ends this season.

Bryant (ankle) practiced fully Thursday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Saturday's game against the Packers, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Bryant opened the week with a pair of limited sessions but upgraded to full participation Thursday and should suit up Saturday. He caught a touchdown last week while Austin Hooper was on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Bryant's expected to cede the majority of snaps to Hooper and David Njoku against Green Bay.

Oliver (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Oliver is the 12th member of Baltimore's 53-man roster placed on the list. The backup tight end has eight catches for 65 yards this season but has primarily filled a special-teams role of late. He'll be fighting an uphill battle to gain clearance before Sunday's game in Cincinnati.

Freiermuth (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Freiermuth remains in the league's concussion protocol after exiting Sunday's win over the Titans, and he was unable to practice for a second straight day. If he's unavailable for Sunday's Week 16 matchup against Kansas City, Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader would be in line for additional work.

Mundt (knee) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and returned to injured reserve.

The tight end entered COVID protocols Dec. 15 before being reinstated Thursday. Mundt will still remain on IR for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in mid-October.

The Saints aren't planning on having Hill available for Monday's game against the Dolphins after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

New Orleans is expected to formally move Hill to the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday along with top backup Trevor Siemian, who also tested positive for the virus. Though both Hill and Siemian, if vaccinated, could theoretically clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocols in advance of Monday, the Saints are seemingly preparing as though neither quarterback will be available. Ian Book is slated to take all the first-team reps in practices Thursday through Saturday as he prepares to make his NFL debut in a starting role. Like Hill, Book boasts above-average running ability, which could help the offense maintain some continuity as it makes room for its fourth different starting quarterback of the season.

Wells was signed to the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday after clearing waivers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end was cut by the Cardinals on Tuesday but cleared waivers and returned to the team's practice squad Thursday. Wells has only appeared in one game this season and will remain buried under the likes of Zach Ertz, Demetrius Harris and Darrell Daniels on the depth chart.

The Saints plan to place Hill on the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday and aren't planning on him being available for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Meanwhile, Jeff Duncan of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported earlier Thursday that Hill's top backup, Trevor Siemian, tested positive for the virus and is also likely to be placed on the list. Neither Hill nor Siemian is expected to clear the necessary protocols in advance of Monday's game, though in Hill's case, it's not yet known whether he tested positive or was deemed an unvaccinated close contact of an infected person. In any case, Ian Book will take the first-team reps in practices Thursday through Saturday as he prepares not only for his first career start, but for his NFL debut. Hill's expected absence for the fantasy playoffs is a tough break for his managers, as he had been a strong producer in his three starts with 197.6 passing yards and 69 rushing yards per game to go with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores over than span.