NFL Player News

Wesco (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Wesco suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Jaguars, and his season is now over as a result. He recorded only three receptions for 35 yards across 12 games but was more involved on special teams.

Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia said he has some optimism that Waller (knee/back) will able to take part in Wednesday's walk-through practice in some fashion, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Bisaccia made his comments after receiving feedback Monday from trainers, who worked with Waller while he rehabbed at the team's facility. Waller's pair of injuries have prevented him from practicing in any capacity since he exited early in the Raiders' Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys, with the star tight end missing each of the four games that followed. Due to the length of his absence, Waller likely will need to put in at least of few days of practice activity this week to have a realistic shot at suiting up for Sunday's game in Indianapolis.

Tremble caught two of three targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 32-6 loss to the Buccaneers.

Tremble played 17 more offensive snaps than fellow tight end Ian Thomas, once again outproducing the veteran as well. As Carolina looks to develop its younger players over the season's last couple weeks, the rookie Tremble could continue to enjoy a starter's share of snaps.

The Eagles have placed Togia on their practice squad COVID-19 list.

According to Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston, Togiai tested positive for the virus. He will not be able to return to practice until he clears the NFL protocols.

The Jets placed Kroft on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday after he tested positive for the virus.

The Jets tight-ends corps currently is taxed due to injuries and COVID-19 list additions, so look for the team to makes some moves in advance of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. For now, Kroft will remain in quarantine until he clears the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.

Vannett is expected to serve as the Saints' top option at tight end Monday against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

New Orleans didn't activate fellow tight ends Adam Trautman (illness) and Juwan Johnson (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the deadline for Week 16 roster moves, leaving Vannett and practice-squad call-up Ethan Wolf as the Saints' lone options at tight end. Considering Wolf has just one NFL appearance to his name since turning pro in 2018, Vannett will likely dominate the snaps at the position. He had already been on the field for at least half of the Saints' offensive plays in each of the last three weeks, operating primarily as a blocker. Over that stretch, Vannett hauled in six of 11 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns.

Wolf was elevated from the Saints' practice squad ahead of Monday's game against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Wolf also joined the Saints' active roster Week 14 and wasn't targeted while playing just eight offensive snaps against the Jets. He should serve as the No. 2 tight end behind Nick Vannett on Monday since Adam Trautman (illness) and Juwan Johnson (illness) are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Johnson (illness) wasn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the Saints' deadline for Week 16 roster moves and won't be available for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Johnson wasn't able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol after landing on the list Wednesday following a positive test of the virus. Adam Trautman is also on the list and Garrett Griffin (hamstring) was recently moved to injured reserve, leaving the Saints with Nick Vannett and practice-squad call-up Ethan Wolf as their only options at tight end Week 16.

James was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

James was one of five Chicago players to be removed from COVID-19 protocols Monday. He will likely assume his usual role behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham during the Bears' Week 17 matchup with the Giants.

The Saints didn't activate Hill (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list, making him ineligible to play Monday against the Dolphins, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The same can be said for Trevor Siemian (illness), which hands Ian Book his first NFL start. Behind Book, Blake Bortles has been elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Saints' backup quarterback for Week 16. Hill's next chance to play is Sunday against the Panthers.