NFL Player News

Moreau is expected to serve as the Raiders' top tight end Sunday against Washington with Darren Waller (back/knee) listed as doubtful for the contest, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reports.

Waller wasn't able to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday, so barring some dramatic improvement leading up to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll be inactive for the second time this season. When Waller sat out Week 7 against the Eagles with an ankle injury, Moreau stepped in to play all of the Raiders' 63 offensive snaps and finished with a 6-60-1 receiving line on six targets. He actually handled more snaps (69) following Waller's early exit in the Raiders' Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys, but Moreau reeled in only one of his five targets for a three-yard gain. Moreau thus looks like a somewhat volatile fantasy option for Week 13, even with another heavy snap share seemingly on the horizon.

Waller (back/knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Washington, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Waller was unable to practice this week and is thus trending toward being included on the Raiders' Week 13 inactive list, which will be released 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming that's the case, Foster Moreau would be in line to serve as the Raiders' top pass-catching tight end in Week 13, a context that would make him a viable streaming option in fantasy lineups. When Waller was sidelined in Week 7 against the Eagles, Moreau played 100 percent of the team's offensive snaps and caught all six of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Wesco (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

It's surprising Wesco isn't listed as out after coach Robert Saleh said earlier in the week that the fullback/tight end is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. The Jets are holding out slight hope for surprise improvement in Wesco's ankle, but he wasn't able to practice in any capacity during the week. If Wesco sits, as expected, New York's tight end depth will consist of just Ryan Griffin and undrafted rookie Kenny Yeboah.

Smith (knee) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Smith was already ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins, and he'll now be sidelined for at least two additional games. Chris Myarick should operate as New York's No. 3 tight end behind Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph.

Hill (finger) isn't expected to need surgery and will attempt to play through an injury known as mallet finger on his throwing hand, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

It's reportedly not as severe as Russell Wilson's mallet finger earlier this year. That doesn't necessarily mean Hill will be successful -- he did throw four INTs in Thursday's loss to Dallas after injuring his hand -- but he'll at least attempt to continue playing, presumably as the starting QB. It is possible he could move back to his non-QB role if that doesn't work out, in which case Trevor Siemian would step back in under center. For fantasy purposes, Hill mostly provides value with his feet, but it's still not ideal to add another limitation to his passing. It does sound like he's tentatively on track for another start at QB in Week 14 at the Jets, benefiting from extra rest after the Saints' TNF loss to Dallas.

Waller (back/knee) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia previously labeled the tight end as "week-to-week," so Waller's absence from a third consecutive practices come as little surprise. He's trending toward being officially ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington later Friday, and if that's the case, Foster Moreau will take on an expanded role at tight end.

Freiermuth (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end, who suffered a concussion during Week 12 action, practiced fully this past week and has been cleared to play versus Baltimore. With Eric Ebron (knee) on injured reserve, Freiermuth is the Steelers' clear-cut top option at his position, a context that puts him on track for enough snaps and targets to merit weekly fantasy consideration.

Kmet (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Kmet trended in the right direction throughout the week, as he missed practice Wednesday before upgrading to a limited session Thursday and practicing fully Friday to gain clearance. The 22-year-old tight end is still searching for his first touchdown of the season, but he has topped 65 receiving yards twice in the past three games after failing to reach 50 in any of his first 24 NFL contests. With quarterback Justin Fields (ribs) doubtful, Kmet will likely be catching passes from Andy Dalton against Arizona.

Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Smith wasn't able to practice this week and hasn't seen game action since Week 9, so his status comes as no surprise. With fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) questionable, Chris Myarick may see an increased role against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Seals-Jones (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Even if he plays, Seals-Jones is expected to serve as the top backup to tight end Logan Thomas, who returned from a hamstring injury last week and played 77 percent of the offensive snaps in a win over the Seahawks. Seals-Jones' hip injury has sidelined him for both of Washington's past two games.