NFL Player News

Tonyan (ankle) is listed as active Sunday in Houston.

After tending to a right ankle injury during last Sunday's loss at Tampa Bay, Tonyan didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but his ability to practice in a limited capacity Friday opened the door for him to suit up this weekend. Indeed, the Packers kept Tonyan off the inactive list, allowing him the opportunity to log his usual offensive snap share of 60-70 percent.

The Lions cut Sokol from the practice squad Saturday.

Isaac Nauta jumped Sokol in the pecking order and was elevated to the active roster Saturday, and the Lions opted to let Sokol go. Sokol is still seeking his NFL debut, as the Michigan State product didn't play at all during his 2019 rookie season and has yet to make an appearance this year. He'll seek a fresh start elsewhere.

The Saints elevated Johnson to the active roster Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Oregon is in line for his NFL debut. He gets the call because Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19 list) won't suit up Sunday, so he'll add depth at wide receiver. In his senior collegiate season, Johnson posted a 30-467-4 line over eight games.

The Jaguars elevated Saubert to the active roster Saturday.

Tyler Eifert (neck) will sit out Sunday's game versus the Chargers, so Saubert will rise up and add depth at tight end. The 2017 fifth-round pick hasn't suited up in a game since last season, when he played two games with Chicago and caught two passes for 21 yards.

Hooper (appendix) may be held out until after Cleveland's bye in Week 9, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hooper underwent an appendectomy Friday and will miss Sunday's game against the Bengals. The tight end will likely miss next week's contest against the Raiders before the Browns' bye week Nov. 8. That would give Hooper three full weeks to recuperate. David Njoku and Harrison Bryant will get increased usage while Hooper recovers.

Tonyan (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The tight end was held out of practice both Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to a limited session Friday. Confirmation of his Week 7 status will arrive when the Packers release their inactive list before Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff, but at this stage, it appears as though Tonyan will suit up versus Houston.

Gilliam could be forced into action on offense Sunday against the Jets with three others in the tight end room being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.

Tight end Dawson Knox tested positive for the virus while three others members of the tight end corps were deemed to be in close proximity to him at some point. Tyler Kroft was not part of that group because, in a nice twist of fate, he took a personal day to be with his newborn baby. Gilliam, who shifted from fullback to tight end earlier this season, was spared as well, as perhaps he was spending time mostly in special teams meetings. While he only has seen 13 offensive snaps this season, that could change out of necessity Week 7. We don't think that makes Gilliam a fantasy factor on almost any level, but don't be surprised either if he shows up in a key play or two. The rookie scored a touchdown Week 2.

Higbee (hand) is listed as questionable for Monday's contest but is expected to play, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

It'll be interesting to see how much Higbee can really do as a pass catcher if he's active Monday, as the tight end injured his hand in the loss to the 49ers last week. While coach Sean McVay has been adamant Higbee will play Monday, it's possible Higbee could primarily be used as a blocker, with any pass-catching responsibilities falling upon Gerald Everett. Higbee played 75 percent of the snaps Sunday against the 49ers compared to Everett's 50, but both tight ends ended up running the same amount of routes (17).

Kroft is the only true tight end currently allowed to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets after multiple Bills tight ends were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, according to the team's official press release.

It's a unique situation as Kroft might be forced to play the entirety of Sunday's game with Dawson Knox, Tommy Sweeney, Lee Smith and practice squad tight end Nate Becker all placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. (Knox and Sweeney were not going to play anyway due to injury.) Kroft, who was attending the birth of his first child earlier in the week, was not in close proximity to Knox and therefore joins TE/FB Reggie Gilliam as the only Bills tight ends eligible to play Sunday.

Sweeney (foot) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, the Bills' official site reports.

Sweeney was already on the PUP list due to a foot injury -- he hasn't seen action all season -- but because he's been deemed to have been in close contact with fellow tight end Dawson Knox -- who tested positive for COVID-19 -- Sweeney has been placed on the list due to league protocol, even though he hasn't necessarily tested positive for the virus himself.