NFL Player News

Thomas (hamstring) is expected to be designated for a return from injured reserve during Week 12 prep, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Thomas hasn't yet been fully cleared, but his 21-day window to resume practicing is expected to open this week. The 30-year-old has been on IR since Oct. 6, and in early November he was spotted doing some work on a side field. With Ricky Seals-Jones (leg) injured and having missed Week 11, it would be a notable boon for Washington if Thomas is able to return in time to face the Seahawks on Nov. 29.

Deguara was targeted twice and caught two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Vikings.

Deguara only got a couple opportunities to make a play Sunday, but he capitalized on the biggest one, hauling in a 25-yard pass into the end zone to bring the Packers within six points late in the second quarter. He has just 10 receptions this season, but the 2020 third-rounder looks like a player on the rise, as he has both caught two passes and seen his snap-count percentage increase in four straight games. His 27 snaps Sunday led Packers tight ends and were 10 more than Marcedes Lewis, the player who finished second on that list. Deguara should continue getting chances to contribute, as Robert Tonyan (knee), the Packers' top tight end, will not return this season.

Dissly caught one pass (three targets) for 16 yards in Sunday's 23-13 loss to the Cardinals.

Dissly has recorded 13 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown through 10 games. He finished with 25 of 49 snaps Sunday while Gerald Everett logged 42. That has been the trend for the last few weeks, though neither tight end has shown enough consistency to be a weekly fantasy option.

Thomas caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 27-21 loss to Washington.

Thomas has now hauled in just one pass in three straight games. In comparison, rookie Tommy Tremble caught two balls Sunday, going for 35 yards. Given his low involvement, Thomas holds minimal fantasy value.

Firsker recorded five receptions on seven targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 22-13 loss to the Texans.

Firkser benefitted from the absence of Geoff Swaim (concussion) to climb the tight end depth chart for Tennessee. His five receptions were a season high, and the game marked the first time he's posted multiple catches since Week 5. It remains to be seen whether this performance will keep Firkser more involved in the game plan moving forward, though he would likely benefit should Swaim remain sidelined for a Week 12 matchup against New England.

Brown caught two of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 22-13 win over Tennessee.

Brown missed the previous two games with a thigh injury but was able to get back on the field after Houston's bye in Week 10. His return led to the Texans making fellow veteran Jordan Akins inactive, a sign the organization has pivoted toward the future. Brown, if healthy, should have a safe role the rest of the season because he's a better blocker than Akins or Brevin Jordan, and developing a running identity has been head coach David Culley's goal all season.

Jordan caught one of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 22-13 win over the Titans.

With Pharaoh Brown (thigh) returning to action, the Texans made veteran Jordan Akins inactive while the rookie Jordan stayed on the active roster. The Texans appear to have shifted focus following the team's bye in Week 10. Jordan and Akins are similarly skilled tight ends, and it makes sense for Houston to get a read on the rookie from here on out.

Bryant was not targeted over 31 snaps in Sunday's 13-10 win over Detroit.

The Browns relied heavily on running back Nick Chubb, as quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder/knee/foot) was ineffective while playing through a number of injuries. That left few opportunities to be spread amongst the receiving corps. This was the third time in 11 games without a target for Bryant, and the fourth game without a catch. With just 18 targets through 11 contests, Bryant is well off the pace he set during his rookie 2020 season, when he was thrown to 38 times in 15 games.

Njoku caught two of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Lions.

The downfield passing game suffered due to the inconsistency of the injured Baker Mayfield (shoulder/knee/foot). The quarterback was booed after missing badly on a throw to Njoku with just over five minutes left. Unfortunately for the tight end, not to mention the rest of the team's receivers, that's the state of Cleveland's offense right now. The passing game is abysmal, and other giving Mayfield time to heal his wounds, there doesn't appear to be a fix in sight. A healthy Nick Chubb is Cleveland's best weapon. Since a Week 5 breakout performance, Njoku has caught 10 of 18 targets for 112 yards and one touchdown over six games.

Cager played one snap and was not targeted in Sunday's 13-10 win over Detroit.

Cager and Ja'Marcus Bradley were signed off the practice squad, as the Browns rolled without Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) and Anthony Schwartz (concussion) against the Lions. Bradley (55 snaps) was the clear beneficiary of the opportunity. Should only one of the injured receivers return next Monday in Baltimore, then Cager would be the first removal from the active roster.