NFL Player News

Njoku is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a knee issue, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The seemingly minor knee injury is likely less relevant than Austin Hooper's return Wednesday from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Njoku played every snap on offense in Monday's 16-14 loss to the Raiders, but he'll likely be back in a part-time role this Saturday in Green Bay.

Rader (hip) fully participated in Wednesday's practice session, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Rader was unavailable for Sunday's win over Tennessee due to a hip injury, but he appears to have moved past the issue ahead of Week 16. The tight end has had minimal playing time this year but could see an uptick in playing time Sunday against Kansas City if Pat Freiermuth (concussion) is unavailable.

Sample didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session due to a foot injury, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Sample secured his lone target for two yards in Sunday's win over Denver, and he apparently sustained a foot injury in the contest. It's not yet clear whether the injury will prevent him from suiting up Sunday against the Ravens.

Seattle placed Dissly on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The 25-year-old was placed on the list after testing positive for the virus, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Gerald Everett and/or Colby Parkinson should pick up more snaps if Dissly isn't available this Sunday against Chicago. The 265-pound tight end typically plays around half or more of Seattle's offensive snaps, but he hasn't seen more than four targets in a game all season.

Freiermuth (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Freiermuth was unable to return to Sunday's win over the Titans after he took a hard hit in the third quarter, and he was placed in the league's concussion protocol after the game. If he hopes to play Sunday against Kansas City, he'll presumably need to return to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday. If the 23-year-old is unavailable in Week 16, Zach Gentry should serve as the Steelers' top tight end.

Dissly caught his lone target for three yards in Tuesday's 20-10 loss to the Rams.

Dissly finished with a 46-percent snap share, trailing fellow tight end Gerald Everett (84 percent) by a significant margin. With just 223 receiving yards through 14 games, Dissly shouldn't be on fantasy radars, especially with Everett seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.

Everett caught all four of his targets for 60 yards in Tuesday's 20-10 loss to the Rams.

Tyler Lockett was in COVID-19 protocol and sat out Tuesday's game, and Everett was able to capitalize on the extra reps, leading the Seahawks in receiving yards. Everett has had an underwhelming season with 40 receptions for 354 yards and three touchdowns, but he should have a chance to surpass his career high of 417 receiving yards over the final three games.

Horsted (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after testing positive for the virus, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Horsted, who caught a 19-yard touchdown on the last play of Monday's loss to the Vikings, is the latest Bears player to land in the COVID-19 protocol. Jesse James is also on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Chicago still has Cole Kmet, Jimmy Graham and J.P. Holtz as its available options at tight end.

Hopkins caught his lone target for nine yards during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.

The rookie has played only 55 offensive snaps this season, with 22 of them coming Tuesday. He's unlikely to get a chance to build on this outing, as the Rams are expected to get top tight end Tyler Higbee back from the reserve/COVID-19 list for this weekend's game in Minnesota. Kendall Blanton will serve as Higbee's top backup, relegating Hopkins to the No. 3 role.

Blanton started at tight end and played 43 of 66 offensive snaps but failed to secure his only target during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle.

Blanton started for the second week in a row while Tyler Higbee had two separate stints on the reserve/COVID-19 list. When Higbee returns, Blanton's already minuscule fantasy value will take a notable hit. He hauled in two of four targets for 29 yards across his two turns as a starter.