NFL Player News

Hooper (appendix) wasn't spotted on the field during Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Hooper wasn't even seen working on the side with the Browns' other injured players, a sign the team isn't counting on him playing Sunday against the Raiders. After Hooper underwent an appendectomy Oct. 23, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku took on expanded roles at tight end in last weekend's win over the Bengals. Expect both to remain involved in the passing game versus Las Vegas if Hooper is inactive for the second straight week.

The Patriots placed Burt (undisclosed) on the practice squad injured list Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

It's unclear exactly what Burt is dealing with, but he'll remain out of team activities for the time being.

Cager (undisclosed) was restored from the practice squad injured list Wednesday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Cager spent three weeks on the injured list but will return to team activities. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia has already been elevated to the active roster twice, so the Jets would need to sign him to the 53-man roster in order to promote him again.

Fant (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Fant was limited in practice to begin last week before he was cleared to return from a one-game absence for Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. Though he handled a normal workload in Week 7, he turned in a rather modest outing, catching three of seven targets for 38 yards. Assuming he escaped the contest without any setbacks to his ankle, Fant should upgrade to full participation in practice by Thursday or Friday before suiting up this weekend against the Chargers.

Kmet (back) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Kmet is coming off the best game of his young career, having hauled in both his targets for 45 yards during Monday's loss to the Rams, but he appears to have also injured his back in the contest. The rookie tight end will work to resume practicing in full ahead of Sunday's tilt against the Saints.

Hooper (appendix) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Raiders, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hooper underwent an emergency appendectomy last Friday and missed the Browns' 37-34 win over the Bengals as a result. The Browns are expected to let Hooper rest again Week 8, providing the tight end with three full weeks to get back to full strength with the team on bye Week 9. Harrison Bryant started at tight end in Hooper's absence and recorded four receptions for 56 yards and two scores versus Cincinnati, while David Njoku played fewer snaps and still managed to find the end zone once on his two receptions for 20 yards.

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.