NFL Player News

Seals-Jones (hip) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones has missed three straight games, but if healthy, he could step back into a three-down role as Washington's top tight end as soon as Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Logan Thomas reclaimed starting duties at the position for the past two games following a seven-week stint on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, but he's now out for the season after returning to IR on Wednesday after injuring his left knee in last week's win over the Raiders. According to Keim, the Football Team expects Seals-Jones to put an end to his three-game absence this weekend, but he may need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday for that to be a reality. When Thomas was on IR earlier this season, Seals-Jones averaged four catches for 38.4 yards and 0.2 touchdowns on six targets across his five starts from Weeks 5 through 10, emerging as a low-end streaming option in many formats. It's possible he returns to that status, though that's far from a guarantee given his hip injury along with rookie John Bates' increasing contributions as the No. 2 tight end behind Thomas the past two weeks.

Okwuegbunam secured three of four targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 22-9 loss to the Chiefs.

Okwuegbunam played 43 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps, operating as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant. Though the 23-year-old has flashed his athleticism throughout the season, he'll likely continue to have little fantasy value while Fant is healthy and available.

Uzomah secured three of six targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the Chargers.

Though Uzomah saw his highest offensive snap share of the season (87 percent), the veteran tight end had yet another underwhelming stat line. In an offense with several talented pass catchers and a thriving rushing attack, Uzomah will likely continue to struggle to produce for fantasy managers.

Washington placed Thomas (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, ruling him out for the rest of the 2021 season.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported Monday that Thomas' initial MRI revealed that he avoided an ACL tear of his left knee, and while that hasn't been confirmed one way or the other, the tight end is evidently dealing with a serious enough health concern that he'll be done for the season after landing on IR for a second time. While Thomas was on IR earlier this season due to a strained hamstring, Ricky Seals-Jones averaged four catches for 38.4 yards and 0.2 touchdowns on six targets across five starts (Weeks 5 through 10). However, Seals-Jones then missed Weeks 11 through 13 with a hip injury, allowing rookie John Bates to get more playing time. It isn't entirely clear Seals-Jones will return to a three-down role if he's available for this week's game against Dallas, but he offers more promise than Bates as a pass catcher.

Washington is expected to place Thomas (knee) on injured reserve later this week, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Though the tight end reportedly received better results than expected after recently undergoing an MRI on the left knee he injured in Sunday's win over the Raiders, he's apparently still dealing with a serious enough of an injury to result on him landing on IR for a second time, which will end his season. Ricky Seals-Jones (hip) has been sidelined for three straight games with an injury of his own, but if available this weekend against the Cowboys, he would likely replace Thomas as Washington's starting tight end.

Sample failed to draw a single target in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the Chargers.

Sample was on the field for 26 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in the contest, while starting tight end C.J. Uzomah played 66 snaps. Sample offers little fantasy value as a No. 2 tight end, as the 25-year-old typically serves as the blocker on the rare occasions he's on the field.

The Falcons signed Hesse to their practice squad Wednesday.

Hesse was waived by the Falcons after Hayden Hurst (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve. The undrafted free agent out of Iowa has made six appearances for Atlanta this season, catching two of three targets for 12 yards.

Mason was signed to the Bears' practice squad Tuesday.

Mason was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 Draft by Baltimore, but he was cut at the conclusion of training camp. He then made his way to the Patriots' practice squad but was released Nov. 8. The 22-year-old Michigan product has yet to make his NFL debut and will now try to earn a shot on the Bears' active roster. In a corresponding move, the Bears released linebacker Rashad Smith from the practice squad.

The Browns signed Forristall to the active roster from their practice squad Tuesday.

Forristall spent the first week of the season on the Titans' practice squad before joining the Browns' practice squad Sept. 20. He was elevated for the team's Week 8 contest against the Bengals but never saw the field. The undrafted rookie free agent will have his best chance to make his NFL debut in Week 14, as David Njoku and Stephen Carlson are both on the COVID-19 list, and Harrison Bryant (ankle) is doubtful.

The Browns plan to place Njoku on the reserve/COVID-19 later Tuesday, and his availability for Sunday's game against the Ravens is in question, Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN reports.

Cleveland hasn't revealed whether Njoku has tested positive following its Week 13 bye or if he will be placed on the list as a close contact of an infected person. The reason behind his placement on the list -- as well as his vaccination status -- will be determining factors in whether he'll have a realistic shot at playing this weekend. Before the Browns went on bye, Njoku drew at least four targets in each of the team's last three games, cobbling together a 6-66-1 receiving line over that span.