NFL Player News

Everett missed Wednesday's walk-through session due to an illness, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

It's always worrisome to see "illness" listed next to a player's name, but there's no indication Everett's is related to COVID-19. Still, the Rams' tight end situation will need to be watched closely this week with Tyler Higbee still tending to a painful hand contusion. While Higbee was sidelined for Monday's win over the Bears, Everett logged a season-best 76 percent of the offensive snaps en route to four catches (on five targets) for 28 yards and one touchdown.

Higbee (hand) is listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

During Week 7 prep, Higbee didn't practice before putting in a limited showing Saturday, but that wasn't enough for him to get clearance to play Monday night against the Bears. According to coach Sean McVay, Higbee again was limited at Wednesday's walk-through, but the tight end remains day-to-day due to "a pretty gnarly hand contusion," per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. The bruise is "painful and affecting the mobility" of Higbee's hand, so his status should continue to be monitored as the weekend draws closer. Meanwhile, position mate Gerald Everett sat out Wednesday with an illness.

Tonyan (ankle/knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

While Tonyan played a season-low 50 percent of the offensive snaps during the Packers' Week 7 win at Houston, he wasn't far off the normal 59 to 67 percent he had logged in the team's five other games on the campaign. Since compiling five touchdowns between Weeks 2 and 4, Tonyan has managed just five catches (on six targets) for 57 yards and no scores. In any case, Tonyan will look to get back to full practice participation by the end of the week.

Alie-Cox (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.

Alie-Cox had the Week 7 bye to rest up, but he still hasn't progressed enough in his recovery to resume practicing. If he's forced to miss Sunday's game in Detroit, Jack Doyle and Trey Burton will split the reps at tight end.

Coach Doug Pederson said that Goedert (ankle) will be a limited participant in his return to practice Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Even though the Eagles designated him to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday, Goedert still isn't a lock to return for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network previously reported that Goedert isn't expected to suit up until after the Eagles' Week 9 bye, so this week's practices may just be a means for Philadelphia to see where the tight end stands on the health front as he recovers from a fractured left ankle. With Zach Ertz (ankle) expected to stay on IR for a few more weeks, Richard Rodgers looks on track to garner another start at tight end Week 8.

The Eagles designated Goedert (ankle) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Slowly but surely, a banged-up Eagles pass-catching group is beginning to get healthier. While tight end Zach Ertz (ankle) and wideout DeSean Jackson (ankle) are expected to remain on IR for several more weeks, both Goedert and rookie Jalen Reagor (thumb) have been cleared to resume practicing this week, and Alshon Jeffery (calf/foot) should have a shot at making his season debut Sunday against Dallas. Goedert's return to practice doesn't necessarily mean the Eagles are counting on him being ready to play this weekend, as Wednesday's transaction merely opens up a 21-day window during which the team can evaluate him for a return. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported a few days earlier that Goedert is hopeful to return from IR following the Eagles' Week 9 bye, so Richard Rodgers still looks poised to serve as Philadelphia's top tight end for at least one more game.

Moreau was not targeted on any of his 11 offensive snaps during Sunday's 45-20 loss to Tampa Bay.

Moreau has garnered a steady workload of 10 to 15 offensive snaps in each of his appearances this season, save for a Week 2 anomaly in which he accumulated 32 snaps against New Orleans. The LSU product has flashed promise with two catches of 24-plus yards, but he otherwise has registered just two receptions for nine yards on the year. Starting tight end Darren Waller has dominated the position, and the entire team for that matter, with 55 targets through seven weeks.

Smith was not targeted on any of his 36 offensive snaps during Thursday's 22-21 loss to Philadelphia.

Smith's snap total was his highest of 2020 thus far, though his passing game involvement remains minimal. The second-year tight end has run a route on 79.3 percent of his passing-down plays, but he has just 10 total catches for 61 yards with no touchdowns. New York ranks 30th with 0.7 passing TDs per game this season, capping Smith's fantasy upside heading into a Week 8 Monday night matchup against Tampa Bay.

Hockenson caught five of his six targets for 59 receiving yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 23-22 win against the Falcons.

Hockenson snared a game-tying 11-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford as time expired, with Matt Prater clinching the win for Detroit by way of a 48-yard extra point. The 2019 No. 8 overall draft choice has tallied a TD in three consecutive games, though he was held under 20 receiving yards in two of those outings. Hockenson has enjoyed a healthy workload of 5.2 targets per game, but a Week 8 matchup against Indianapolis is prohibitive. The Colts are yet to surrender a tight end TD in 2020 and also have allowed the second-fewest receptions to the position (17).

Fumagalli was released from the Texans' practice squad Tuesday.

The 2018 fifth-round pick signed to Houston's practice squad in mid-September after reaching an injury settlement with Denver, but he was never promoted to the active roster. Fumagalli caught six of eight targets for 38 yards and one touchdown in 11 games for the Broncos in 2019 in the only NFL action of his career.