NFL Player News

Sweeney didn't participate in Thursday's practice due to a hip injury, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Sweeney was previously listed as a limited participant on the Bills' initial Week 14 injury report, so it's unclear if he took a step back in his recovery from the injury a day later or if his absence was a pre-planned maintenance day. In any case, Sweeney's profile in the Buffalo offense has taken a hit since top tight end Dawson Knox returned from a two-game absence Week 10. After playing at least 80 percent of the offensive snaps in both of the games Knox was out while recording five receptions for 40 yards during that time, Sweeney has played fewer than a third of the snaps in the subsequent four contests and has been targeted just once.

Njoku, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, tweeted twice this week that he is not experiencing symptoms.

However, Njoku's availability for Sunday's game against Baltimore has yet to be determined. "I am hopeful, but we have to plan if we do not have him," head coach Kevin Stefanski told Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal about Njoku. "If we have him, that would be great." If Njoku is fully vaccinated, he could play if he has two negative tests separated by 24 hours and is activated by 4:00 PM ET on Saturday.

Forristall could be activated for Sunday's game against the Ravens, with Harrison Bryant (ankle) ruled out and David Njoku (COVID-19) questionable, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Forristall has been on the Browns' practice squad since the middle of September and is well versed in the offense, per head coach Kevin Stefanski. If Cleveland is down two tight ends, it would have only Forristall and starting tight end Austin Hooper available. They would be forced to use an offensive lineman for their 13 personnel alignments, which is a regular feature of the offense when Bryant and Njoku are healthy.

Jordan didn't practice Wednesday due to a hand injury.

A 2021 fifth-round pick, Jordan's NFL debut was delayed until Week 8, but he's proceed to earn between 26 and 58 percent of the offensive snaps over the last five games depending on available tight end personnel for the Texans. With a 11-87-2 line on 16 targets, he's a touchdown-dependent option, as Pharoah Brown has settled in as the team's top option at the position. Jordan likely will need to fit in some activity before week's end to have a chance to continue in his complementary role Sunday against the Seahawks.

Wesco (ankle) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

When Wesco first sustained the ankle injury in the Jets' Week 12 loss to the Texans, head coach Robert Saleh initially projected the tight end to miss 2-to-4 weeks. Given that he'll reach the short end of that timeline this weekend against the Saints, Wesco seems more likely than not to remain out for that contest. Assuming Wesco is inactive Week 14, Kenny Yeboah would step in as the No. 2 tight end behind starter Ryan Griffin (ankle).

Hill (finger) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

While making his first start of the season in last Thursday's loss to the Cowboys, Hill slammed his right middle finger on the arm of a Dallas defender while following through on a throw. Though he was able to gut through it and play all 69 offensive snaps, his performance was below par, as he completed 19 of 41 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Fortunately, Hill's mobility salvaged his day on the fantasy front, with his 11 carries going for 101 yards. Head coach Sean Payton told Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football on Wednesday that Hill will start Sunday at the Jets if he's healthy, and the quarterback's ability to open the week as a full practice participant suggests he'll be good to go. Hill will continue to play with a splint as he manages what has been diagnosed as mallet finger, per Underhill.

Hockenson (hand) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

The hand injury is a new health concern for Hockenson after he avoided practice limitations since Week 8 prep. During that five-game stretch, he put together a 23-224-2 receiving line on 31 targets. Assuming he gets past the current issue by week's end, Hockenson again will serve as one of the Lions' top receiving options, but who will be throwing him passes is a question mark with Jared Goff unable to practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Waller (knee/back) isn't practicing Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia referred to Waller as day-to-day on Monday, perhaps sparking hope for the tight end to return to practice Wednesday. It won't play out that way, giving Waller two more chances to get on the field before Sunday's game in Kansas City. Fill-in tight end Foster Moreau played 89 and 85 percent of snaps for the Raiders the past two weeks, catching two of eight targets for 37 yards between those contets.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has ruled Bryant (ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Bryant sustained a high-ankle sprain Week 12 and was unable to practice Wednesday. Even though he had extra time to recover during Cleveland's Week 13 bye, the tight end will be forced to miss at least one game. However, Stefanski said that the Browns don't plan on placing Bryant on injured reserve, signaling that the team expects him to miss fewer than three contests.

Bryant (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bryant suffered a high ankle sprain during the Browns' Week 12 loss to the Ravens, and he's unlikely to play in Week 14. Coming off the Week 13 bye, coach Kevin Stefanski said the team was still contemplating whether an IR stint would be necessary, so it doesn't appear like Bryant will be returning anytime soon. If he is indeed out for the rematch against the Ravens, Austin Hooper and Miller Forristall may be the only healthy tight ends on the active roster, as David Njoku and Stephen Carlson were both placed in COVID-19 protocols this week.