NFL Player News

Bryant (reserve/COVID-19) is considered a close contact with someone outside the Browns' organization that tested positive for the virus, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bryant was placed on the COVID-19 list Tuesday, joining wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones. All five players are deemed close contacts and will be eligible to play in this week's season finale against Pittsburgh, assuming they continue to test negative. The wideouts can return as early as Thursday, while Saturday is the earliest Bryant can come off the list. The Browns can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Steelers.

Smith did not receive a target during Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Ravens.

Smith has dealt with an illness and a knee issue over the past month, but he remains with only one game absence on the season. Though the tight end has inherited a workload of 30 offensive snaps per contest in 2020, it hasn't translated to significant production in the passing game. Smith's most notable fantasy outing of the year arrived via a three-catch, 15-yard performance Week 6 against Washington.

Knox secured three of four targets for 51 yards during Monday night's 38-9 win against the Patriots.

Buffalo dominated through the air during a Week 16 drubbing of the Patriots, with Knox finishing as the team's No. 2 receiver on a night that consisted of 320 passing yards and four passing scores from Josh Allen. Lee Smith hauled in one of the TDs, and star wideout Stefon Diggs the other three, as Knox remains with three scores of his own on the season (all coming since Week 12). It didn't help that he dropped an easy score from Josh Allen that was right in his hands. A regular-season finale against Miami's top-ranked scoring defense will be challenging, especially with the unit having surrendered the eighth-fewest receptions to opposing tight ends on the year.

The Vikings placed Dillon (ankle) on the practice squad COVID-19 list Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Dillon was eligible to return from the practice squad injured list Tuesday, but he'll remain away from the team as he works through COVID-19 protocol. With the playoffs out of reach, Dillon likely won't practice again this year.

Parham caught both of his targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 19-16 win over the Chargers.

Parham got the start in place of Hunter Henry (reserve/COVID-19 list) and played 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but the XFL star was overshadowed by Stephen Anderson who nearly led the team in receiving. The lack of targets is slightly troubling considering Parham previously appeared to have the one-up on Anderson for the team's backup TE spot, but the massive difference in snap count should still give fantasy managers some semblance of confidence in using the 6-foot-8 option if Henry is unable to play in the final game of the regular season.

Bryant was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Bryant either contracted the virus or came into close contact with someone who did. If he's merely a close contact, he'll be eligible to play in the season finale against Pittsburgh as long as he continues to test negative. The rookie fourth-round pick joins wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones -- all deemed close contacts -- on the reserve list.

Woerner was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Woerner missed the last two games while on the list. He'll be available for the season finale against Seattle. It's tough to project how he'll be utilized with position mates George Kittle, Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley all healthy for the first time since Week 1.

Thomas wasn't targeted in Sunday's 20-13 win over Washington.

Thomas played 40 offensive snaps, but he failed to receive a target for the second time in five games. The third-year tight end has struggled to generate meaningful production this season despite Greg Olsen's departure, as he's posted a 19-146-1 line through 15 games.

Keene logged just three snaps on offense in Monday night's 38-9 loss to the Bills.

In five games this season, Keene has caught just two passes for 10 yards. Meanwhile, fellow rookie third-round tight end Devin Asiasi is still looking for his first NFL catch. Both players will need to have strong showings in training camp next year in order to gain any attention in 2021 re-draft leagues.

Asiasi was on the field for 47 of the Patriots' 50 snaps on offense in Monday night's 38-9 loss to the Bills.

Despite the season high in playing time, Asiasi was targeted just twice and didn't record a catch Monday. With the 2020 third-rounder still looking for his first NFL catch, Asiasi remains off the fantasy radar heading into Week 17.