NFL Player News

Interim coach Perry Fewell said the Panthers will have a committee approach at tight end Sunday in Atlanta due to the likely absence of Greg Olsen (concussion), Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Fewell mentioned Thomas, Chris Manhertz and fullback Alex Armah as the options to cover for Olsen. Having said that, Thomas is the most likely of the trio to make an impact as a pass catcher. While he has just five receptions on nine targets in 12 games this season, he finished his rookie year in 2018 with a 36-333-2 line across 16 contests.

Engram (foot) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Engram has missed the Giants' last three games with a strained left foot, but he expressed optimism earlier this week that he would put an end to his streak of absences Monday in Philadelphia. The tight end's ability to take some practice reps in the Giants' first session of Week 14 offers early encouragement that he'll be able to achieve his goal, though he may need to put in a full workout Friday or Saturday for the Giants to sign off on him playing. If Engram suits up Monday, he'll be catching passes from Eli Manning, who is slated to start for the first time since Week 2 with rookie signal-caller Daniel Jones (ankle) considered highly unlikely to play.

Arnold was waived by the Saints on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Arnold was promoted from the practice squad in mid-October but was a healthy scratch for the last four games. The 24-year-old is a candidate to rejoin the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Everett (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Everett has yet to practice since hyperextending his knee during a Week 12 loss to the Ravens. During Everett's absence in Sunday's win at Arizona, Tyler Higbee saw a season-high 91 percent of the offensive snaps, which he turned into a season-best stat line (7-107-1 on eight targets). As long as Everett is sidelined, Higbee can expect a similar workload.

Hollister was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through session due to a quadriceps injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Hollister has become a regular option for Russell Wilson over the last six games, earning between 51 and 81 percent of the offensive snaps on five occasions en route to turning in a 25-203-3 receiving line on 36 targets. The increased usage seems to be taking its toll, though, as Hollister dealt with a toe injury last week and now is tending to a quad issue. As a result, his status should be monitored closely as the weekend approaches.

Graham (calf/wrist) didn't practice Wednesday.

Graham kicked off last week as a non-participant in practice, only to follow it up with "limited" listings on the next two injury reports and no designation in advance of a 31-13 win over the Giants. While he proceeded to play 42 percent of the offensive snaps in the victory, he caught his only target for 16 yards. Assuming he suits up again Sunday, Graham will have a more favorable matchup against a Redskins defense that has given up five catches for 53.1 yards per game and five touchdowns to tight ends in 12 games this season.

Hooper (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper displayed progress last week by running on the side, but the tight end took the next step in his recovery from an MCL sprain in his left knee with some on-field reps. He'll aim to up his activity as the week goes on as he seeks his first game action since Nov. 10. Fellow tight ends Jaeden Graham (thigh) and Luke Stocker (back) were also limited Wednesday, so Carson Meier is the sole healthy member of the positional group at the moment.

Coach Freddie Kitchens said Wednesday that Njoku (wrist) is "getting closer" to rejoining the active roster, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

Njoku would be eligible to play Sunday against the Bengals if activated from injured reserve, but the Browns have until Dec. 11 to make a decision on his reinstatement. The Browns will presumably observe Njoku in practices Wednesday through Friday before deciding as late as Saturday whether he's fit to play in Week 14. If Njoku remains out this weekend, Demetrius Harris (shoulder) and Ricky Seals-Jones would handle the bulk of the snaps at tight end.

Kittle (knee/ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle seemingly will operate with some limitations in practice for the rest of the season as he attempts to play through a lingering left knee injury and a bone chip in his ankle. He'll have two more days in which to elevate to full participation, but even if he doesn't, he may ditch his designation by the release of Friday's injury report, as he did last week.

Carlson (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Carlson has recorded four receptions for 46 yards over the last three weeks, so if he's unable to play Sunday against the Bengals, it will mainly affect the team's run-blocking schemes. The 22-year-old still has two practice sessions to elevate to full capacity.