NFL Player News

Conklin had four receptions for 18 yards on six targets in Sunday's loss to Cleveland.

Conklin missed practice Wednesday due to glute and elbow injuries, but he made it back on the field Thursday and Friday and looked at full speed Sunday. While he produced just 18 yards from scrimmage, it was encouraging that he had six targets after eight in Week 3. Minnesota struggled to move the ball against Cleveland's tough defense, so his continued involvement in the passing game bodes well for an easier matchup next week against Detroit.

Higbee (ankle) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimation, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Higbee was on the field for 54 of a possible 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Cardinals, en route to hauling in four of his six targets for 36 yards. We'll circle back on the tight end's status after Tuesday's walkthrough to see how the Rams list his participation, but so far there's nothing to suggest that his availability for Thursday night's game against the Seahawks is in danger.

Smith, who was on the field for 28 of a possible 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Buccaneers, finished the contest with three catches on five targets for 14 yards and a TD, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

Fellow tight end Hunter Henry started the game and logged 40 snaps, hauling in four of his five targets for 32 yards and a score. Smith's first TD in a New England uniform helped his Week 4 fantasy cause, but continuing to operate in a timeshare caps his weekly ceiling as a streaming lineup option.

Hurst caught all four of his targets for 29 yards during Sunday's 34-30 loss to Washington.

Hurst had begun to see his playing time dip, as Lee Smith out-snapped him, 25-20, against the Giants. However, the 28-year-old bounced back from a catch-less outing Week 3 to have his best game since Week 1. Hurst finished with the fourth-most targets on the team, but his fantasy value remains limited.

Thomas (hamstring) is considered week-to-week after he left Sunday's win over the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Thomas was unable to return to Sunday's Week 4 matchup after exiting the game in the first quarter. His status for Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Saints depends on his participation in practice this week, but Ricky Seals-Jones and John Bates are in line for increased roles if the 30-year-old is forced to miss additional time.

Everett (COVID-19) may not be able to play in Thursday's game against the Rams, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Everett landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and was unable to produce back-to-back negative tests ahead of a Week 4 win over the 49ers. If the 27-year-old is unable to return in Week 5 on a short week of practice, Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson will be in line for increased work.

Cager signed with the Browns' practice squad Monday.

Cager failed to make the Jets' 53-man roster to begin the 2021 campaign, but he'll attempt to carve out a role on Cleveland's practice squad. The 24-year-old appeared in two games with the Jets last year and hauled in two of his six targets for 35 yards.

Firkser recorded three receptions on five targets for 23 yards in a Week 4 loss to the Jets.

Firkser returned after missing the last two games with a knee issue. He was on the field for exactly half of the Titans' offensive snaps but finished fifth on the team in targets. Though Firkser has shown glimpses of his ability as a receiver over the last two seasons, he has only 42 yards on six receptions through his first two contests in 2021.

Tremble didn't haul in his only target in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.

The drop wasn't exactly his fault, as he took a massive hit from Damontae Kazee that drew a personal foul (defenseless receiver) flag as he tried to bring down the pass from San Darnold. Tremble played nearly 40 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps in the team's first game since trading fellow tight end Dan Arnold. Although that involvement didn't result in any catches for Tremble, the rookie third-rounder should benefit from a growing role alongside Ian Thomas over the course of the campaign.

Parkinson didn't receive a target in Sunday's 28-21 win over the 49ers.

Parkinson logged 38 of 56 offensive snaps (68 percent) because Gerald Everett was on the COVID-19 list. The 22-year-old tight end drew high praise from head coach Pete Carroll during training camp before suffering a foot injury. However, his role this season will likely be minimal once Everett returns.