NFL Player News

Smythe secured both of his targets for six yards during Saturday's 26-25 win over the Raiders.

Smythe returned to a depth role with Mike Gesicki back in the lineup, but the absence of DeVante Parker (hamstring) still allowed him to see a slight uptick in opportunities. He'll handle a similar role against the Bills in Week 17.

Blake (illness) is listed as active heading into Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Bell couldn't practice Thursday while dealing with a non-COVID-19-related illness, but the tight end has proven capable of recuperating in time for Dallas' Week 16 kickoff. The 29-year-old remains without a missed game all season, but his passing-game involvement has been sparse. Bell has accumulated three catches for 23 yards over his past three outings, as Dalton Schultz stands firmly fixed atop the depth chart with nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in the same span.

Henry, who is on the COVID-19 reserve list, is not available for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Also out is top wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring), so the Chargers will be without two of their top pass-catching options in Week 16. In Henry's absence, Donald Parham is expected to fill in as the team's starting tight end Sunday.

With several receivers landing on the COVID-19 list, Hooper is expected to be a primary target for Sunday's game against the Jets, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cleveland will be without wideouts Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones, all of whom were close contacts of linebacker B.J. Goodson, who tested positive for the virus. The development reduces the number of known targets for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will throw to a crew of untested wideouts in Marvin Hall, Ja'Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies. That means known commodities such as Hooper, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb will be prominent in the passing attack. Hooper's 50 targets are the most among the group that will be available Sunday.

Gesicki secured four of seven targets for 54 yards during Saturday's 26-25 win over the Raiders.

Gesicki returned to action after just a one-game absence due to a shoulder injury, and he immediately returned to his role as Miami's top tight end. He came in second only to Myles Gaskin in terms of receiving with DeVante Parker (hamstring) sidelined, while Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe combined for just three targets. If Parker were to miss Week 17's divisional matchup against the Bills as well, Gesicki would once again stand to see an uptick in targets (and perhaps red-zone looks).

Waller secured five of six targets for 112 yards during Saturday's 26-25 loss to the Dolphins.

Had Miami not been able to pull out an improbable win in the final 20 seconds, Dolphins cornerback Eric Rowe would have endured even worse nightmares regarding Waller's Week 16 performance. The first-time Pro Bowl tight end logged four separate gains of 19-plus yards on the night, including a marvelous one-handed grab over Rowe in the third quarter. With Las Vegas eliminated from playoff contention given a Week 16 loss, Waller heads into the Raiders' 2020 finale needing just 21 yards against Denver to establish a second consecutive 1,100-yard season. The 28-year-old's eight touchdowns, meanwhile, have already more than doubled his previous career best of three.

Sokol was elevated to the Chargers' active roster from the practice squad Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old joined the Chargers' practice squad in late October after being let go by the Lions, and he'll be a gameday elevation for Week 16. Sokol has yet to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2019.

Kittle (foot) recorded four receptions on five targets for 92 yards in Week 16 against the Cardinals.

Kittle was in game action for the first time since Week 8 and returned to lead the team in targets, yards and receptions. The majority of his production came on long receptions, including gains of 27, 24 and 18 yards. His first catch of the day came on a pass short and to the flat, but he made a quick cut and burst up field. The only thing missing from Kittle's effort was a trip to the end zone, though most importantly he appears to be fairly healthy heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks.

Gesicki (shoulder) is listed as active Saturday in Las Vegas.

Gesicki injured his right shoulder Week 14 and missed one game as a result, but now that he's back in action he'll look to extend his TD streak to four games against a Raiders defense that has allowed the 14th-most touchdown passes (24) this season.

The Chargers elevated tight end Matt Sokol from the practice squad Saturday, which may indicate the team isn't expecting Henry (undisclosed) to be available Sunday against the Broncos, Gavino Borquez of USA Today reports.

Henry didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list one day later, giving him very little time to make his way through league protocols to be able to suit up for game day. If Henry doesn't return to the active roster in time for Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, Donald Parham is slated to start at tight end for L.A.