NFL Player News

Ertz (ankle) is unlikely to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Ertz returned to practice earlier this week, but he apparently still needs more time to get back to full speed before the Eagles feel comfortable adding him back to the 53-man roster. Look for Dallas Goedert to continue handling the bulk of the reps at tight end Week 11.

Hill will start Sunday's divisional matchup against the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Though Jameis Winston filled in for an injured Drew Brees (chest) midway through last weekend's win over the 49ers, Hill has since received all of New Orleans' first-team reps in practice. The versatile signal-caller is now on track to draw his first career start against the Falcons, while Winston serves as his backup. Schefter also notes that Winston won't be involved in any portion of the Saints' offensive gameplan, a hint that the team doesn't foresee the possibility of making any sort of mid-game switch. Hill has completed only 10 passes in his career, but he seems destined to surpass that mark Sunday against a subpar Falcons defense.

Hill has been receiving the reps with the No. 1 offense at practice this week and may start Sunday's game against the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that he wouldn't name a starting quarterback until the end of the week, but it appears Hill is trending toward being the fill-in starter this weekend with Drew Brees (ribs) sidelined. Payton should provide more information after Friday's practice.

Lewis (knee) did not participate during the Packers' practice session Thursday.

The veteran tight end has been dealing with knee issues since early October, though he was only forced to sit out Week 4. Practice reps have been managed for Lewis over the past month and a half, but he has registered five consecutive starts nevertheless. His status is seemingly trending in the wrong direction for a Week 11 status against the Colts, however. If Lewis is ultimately unable to play, Jace Sternberger would potentially be the only eligible tight end on the active roster besides Robert Tonyan (ankle).

Daniels (ankle) is inactive for Thursday's game at Seattle.

After suffering an ankle injury this past Sunday versus the Bills, Daniels was unable to practice at all Monday through Wednesday. Now that he's been deemed unavailable, he'll leave his modest share of the snaps on offense to the duo of Maxx Williams (ankle) and Dan Arnold.

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.