NFL Player News

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

Hockenson managed to play through the toe injury during Sunday's last-second win over Washington, but the issue clearly plagued him on the field. The second-year tight end caught just two of four targets for 13 yards and no touchdowns, finishing with his worst fantasy day of the season. The key members of Detroit's pass-catching group are quite banged up entering a Week 11 matchup with Carolina, as Kenny Golladay (hip) was limited Wednesday, while all of Matthew Stafford (thumb), Marvin Jones (knee) and Danny Amendola (hip) were non-participants. With that in mind, Hockenson actually looks like one of the Lions' healthier skill-position players.

Fant's absence from Wednesday's practice was attributed to a rib injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

While it's at least encouraging that Fant isn't dealing with an aggravation of the ankle injury that has bothered him in recent weeks, his inability to practice on even a limited basis to begin Week 11 is somewhat concerning. Nick Vannett is currently the only healthy tight end for Denver, so he could be in line for a substantial workload if Fant's injury is serious enough to sideline him.

Alie-Cox (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Alie-Cox has been playing through the knee injury for a few weeks now, so he's likely on track to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, barring a setback. If Jack Doyle (concussion) remains out, Alie-Cox should continue to split reps at tight end with Trey Burton.

Vannett wasn't targeted in Sunday's 37-12 loss to the Raiders.

Vannett moved up to second on Denver's tight end depth chart due to a rash of injuries at the position, but he didn't take advantage of the expanded role. He has caught just six passes all season and has never broken 30 catches or 300 yards in a campaign.

Ertz (ankle) is taking part in practice Wednesday, Daniel Gallen of The Harrisburg Patriot-News reports.

The Eagles designated Ertz to return from injured reserve, opening a 21-day window for the team to make a decision between bringing him back to the active roster or ruling him out for the rest of the season. Ertz's practice participation suggests it will be the former, though it isn't certain he'll be activated before Sunday's game in Cleveland. The veteran tight end suffered a high-ankle sprain Week 6, leaving Richard Rodgers in a three-down role for a Week 7 win over the Giants. Dallas Goedert then returned from his own ankle injury Week 8, logging 84 and 93 percent of snaps the past two games. Ertz's impending return should affect Goedert's playing time, though it was the latter who was more productive back in September when both tight ends were healthy.

Fant wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Fant may be dealing with residual effects of the high-ankle sprain he's dealt with since early October, though he didn't carry an injury designation into last weekend's loss in Las Vegas. When Denver's first practice report of the week is released later Wednesday, the official reason for Fant's absence will become known.

Firkser caught one of three targets for five receiving yards during Thursday's 34-17 loss to the Colts.

The Harvard standout had logged five straight multi-reception outings entering Thursday Night Football, but with just one catch against Indianapolis, he shouldered his fourth game with under 10 receiving yards this season. Firkser enjoyed a breakout eight-catch, 113-yard, one-TD performance Week 6 against the Texans, but otherwise, he has no other scores and remains without another outing of more than 45 receiving yards.

Bryant did not garner a single target over 36 offensive snaps during Sunday's 10-7 win against Houston.

Cleveland only elected to put the ball in the air 20 times Sunday, pounding the rock on 41 occasions to the tune of 5.6 yards per carry. Given the low-volume passing script, Bryant endured his second no-catch showing of the 2020 campaign and his second consecutive outing of 25 or fewer receiving yards. The rookie's 56-yard, two-touchdown Week 7 output against the Bengals appears to be somewhat of an anomaly, as the Browns head into a Week 11 matchup against the Eagles' sixth-ranked pass defense.

Myarick reverted to the Dolphins' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Myarick was elevated to the active roster as an extra player for Sunday's win over the Chargers and now returns to the practice squad. The 25-year-old played five offensive snaps and one snap on special teams during the contest.

Dillon reverted to Minnesota's practice squad after Monday's 19-13 win over the Bears, per the NFL's official transaction log.

The 23-year-old was elevated to the active roster as an extra player for Monday's contest and played two offensive snaps. Dillon served as a reserve tight end with Irv Smith (groin) sidelined and saw minimal playing time.