NFL Player News

The Eagles listed Ertz (ribs) as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Ertz's listing doesn't come as a major surprise after he reportedly played through a fractured rib in the Eagles' Week 16 win over the Cowboys. As a victory over Washington on Sunday would secure a postseason spot for Philadelphia, Ertz is pushing hard to play in Week 17, though it's unclear if he'll get the green light from doctors and athletic trainers, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. No. 2 tight end Dallas Goedert would take on even heavier volume in the passing game if Ertz is ultimately forced to sit out this weekend.

Daniels did not participate in the team's estimated practice report Wednesday due to a biceps injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Daniels saw an uptick in usage during the team's Week 16 win over Seattle due to the absence of Charles Clay (calf). However, he's now battling an injury of his own, making it unclear whether he'll be able to participate in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Rams. His availability in practice for the remainder of the week should provide more clarity.

Firkser was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 38-28 loss to the Saints.

Sunday's performance snapped a three-game streak in which the sophomore tight end caught at least one pass, and he finished behind both Jonnu Smith and MyCole Pruitt in offensive snaps with 13 -- his fewest since Week 6. All hands will be on deck Sunday against the Texans as the Titans need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Firkser was only able to catch one of his four targets against the Texans in Week 15 for a gain of seven yards.

Alie-Cox reeled in his only target for a 21-yard catch during Sunday's 38-6 win over Carolina.

Alie-Cox's grab helped set up Marlon Mack's second-quarter touchdown plunge, but it was just his second catch since Week 9. The sophomore tight end has just one game with multiple receptions this season, way back in Week 3 against Atlanta. He hasn't seen an uptick in production since Eric Ebron (ankle) headed to injured reserve and it'd be a surprise if he broke out against Jacksonville's 20th-ranked pass defense in the season finale Sunday.

Kroft was unable to haul in his lone target of Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Patriots.

Sunday's production could have been quite different as Josh Allen targeted him near the Patriots' goal line just before halftime. The two couldn't link up and Allen looked to Dion Dawkins on a trick play on the next snap. Kroft has been targeted multiple times in just one game this season and three of his 10 have been in the red zone. He hasn't produced much, but he may get a slight uptick in usage Sunday against the Jets, as the Bills are locked in as the AFC's fifth seed win, lose or draw.

Smith caught two of three targets for four yards during Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay.

Smith has now been held to single-digit receiving yardage in three of his last four games. The rookie tight end has garnered more snaps than your typical No. 2 TE, with at least 30 offensive snaps in every game since Week 5, and has been targeted at least three times in nine consecutive games. That hasn't translated much into production, however, as Smith has mostly served as an underneath option this season. The regular season ends Sunday against a Bears squad that surrendered a single five-yard catch to Smith in Week 4.

Offensive coordinator Mike Groh said Tuesday that it's "too early" to know if Ertz (ribs) will factor into the Week 17 game plan, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Ertz sustained a fractured rib in the first quarter of this past Sunday's win against the Cowboys. While he returned to the field in time for a two-minute drill before halftime and closed out the contest, he managed just four catches for 28 yards and no TDs on six targets. In an Eagles receiving corps devoid of most of its top options at wide receiver, Ertz and Dallas Goedert have been among Carson Wentz's favorite regular targets the past few weeks. Ertz could set the tone for his availability for the season finale by being listed as LP or even FP on the team's first Week 17 injury report Wednesday.

Lewis caught his only target for two yards in Monday's victory over the Vikings.

Lewis played as many snaps as fellow tight end Jimmy Graham in Week 16, but he finished with one reception and a single digit in the receiving yards column for the fourth week in a row. He'll continue seeing plenty of time on the field, but figures to remain a complementary piece in the Packers' offense.

Bell notched two catches for 15 yards on a season-high three targets Sunday versus the Bears.

Bell had not recorded more than one catch in a game prior to Week 15 but has now caught a pair of passes in each of the last two weeks. Still, he played less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps and has yet to reel in a touchdown pass in 2019, so there's very little fantasy upside to be had at the moment.

Hurst caught one of three targets for nine yards Sunday against the Browns.

The second-year tight end has just two catches for 28 yards since his breakout against the Bills in Week 14. Hurst could be in line for more target volume than usual in Week 17 if Baltimore opts to scale back Mark Andrews' snap count ahead of the postseason.