NFL Player News

Knox caught two of four targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 32-30 loss to the Cardinals

Knox saw a season-high 70 percent of offensive snaps last weekend while fellow tight end Tyler Kroft was on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but the former wasn't able to parlay that opportunity into much fantasy production. The 2019 third-round pick is having a disappointing sophomore season, as he has yet to score or surpass 36 yards in any of his six appearances. Kroft has already managed to return from the COVID-19 list during Buffalo's bye week, a development that essentially bumps Knox off the fantasy radar.

Manhertz (shoulder) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old wideout from Canisius has been active for each of the Panthers' 10 games this season, fielding a healthy 31.4 offensive snaps per game while registering six starts. An appearance on the injury report marks Manhertz's first of the campaign. He proved to be remarkably durable coming into this season, suiting up for 47 of the Panthers' 48 games between 2017 and 2019. Thus far in 2020, he has produced five receptions for 41 yards.

Fant (ribs) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Fant sat out Wednesday's session, so the tight end's return to the field Thursday bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Dolphins. Per Mike Klis of 9News Denver, coach Vic Fangio said that he's confident Fant will play this weekend, a notion that would be supported by his return to a full practice Friday.

Tonyan (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Tonyan's practice reps have been capped for the majority of sessions since the calendar flipped to October, but he's still played at least 50 percent and up to 67 percent of the snaps on offense in each game this season. While he hasn't made a huge impact since scoring five TDs in three games between Weeks 2 and 4 -- a 14-174-0 line on 18 targets the last five contests -- Tonyan is the Packers tight end most likely to make an impact in the box score on a weekly basis.

Smith (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After sitting out the Vikings' win over the Bears on Monday, Smith has had his reps capped in the team's first two practices of Week 11. The tight end appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup this weekend against the Cowboys, but Smith would ideally upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to clear up any concern about his availability.

Hockenson (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Hockenson's reps were capped for the second day in a row, but the Lions don't seem to have any real concern that he'll miss Sunday's game against the Panthers. If Hockenson can upgrade to full activity Friday, he'll likely avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.

Fant (ribs) returned to practice Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reporters.

It remains to be seen if he's listed as a full or limited participant, but Fant's return to the field Thursday, in any capacity, has the tight end trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Dolphins approaches.

The Bills activated Kroft from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Kroft ended up sitting out last week's loss to the Cardinals after being placed on the list Saturday due to being a close contact of cornerback Josh Norman, who tested positive for COVID-19. The tight end has since cleared all health-related protocols, so he'll be good to go when the Bills come out of their Week 11 bye. Expect Kroft to resume splitting work at his position with starter Dawson Knox.

The Rams placed Blanton on the practice squad COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Blanton will be required to clear the league's COVID-19 protocols before returning to team activities. He's been on the Rams' practice squad since being cut by the team before Week 1.

Burt (undisclosed) was restored from the practice squad injured list Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Burt missed three weeks of practice, but he'll return to team activities after shaking the injury. Ryan Izzo (hamstring) and Jordan Thomas are currently the only two tight ends on the 53-man roster.