NFL Player News

Graham (knee/thumb) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at the Jets, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

As expected, Graham finished out the week with a full practice and shouldn't have any limitations Sunday. He's struggled with drops since suffering a broken thumb Nov. 15, further adding to the disappointment of what had already been a substandard campaign. Graham will now take aim at a Jets defense that's given up a league-low 39 receptions to tight ends.

Paulsen (knee/ankle) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Paulsen was limited in practice all week, but he appears on track to play through his lingering knee and ankle issues Week 16. Expect the depth tight end to see most of his offensive usage as a blocker, as per usual.

Hooper (knee/ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Carolina, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper played through the same pair of injuries in last week's win over the Cardinals, finishing with season-low marks for offensive snaps (34), snap share (51 percent) and targets (one). Another week of limited practice participation creates some concern about the extent of Hooper's role, though the lack of involvement last week was partially a product of the Falcons winning in a blowout. The team will probably need more from its passing game after halftime this week, and there's some chance target-hogging Julio Jones (hip), who is listed as questionable, will be absent or limited.

Seals-Jones (illness) didn't practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

A bout with food poisoning is to blame for back-to-back absences for Seals-Jones to kick off Week 16 preparations. He has one practice remaining before the Cardinals will give him an official designation for Sunday's game against the Rams. If the illness follows him into the weekend, it could result in elevated workloads for veteran tight ends Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips.

Ertz (ankle) practiced in full Thursday, Daniel Gallen of The Harrisburg Patriot-News reports.

Limited by an ankle injury at Wednesday's session, Ertz handled every rep presented to him one day later, clearing him for his usual high-volume role in the Eagles' passing attack. He has an exploitable matchup Sunday versus a Texans defense that has given up 84 receiving yards per game and four TDs to tight ends over the last six contests.

Hooper (knee/ankle) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

While Hooper is still having his reps monitored carefully, the tight end at least seems to be in better place health-wise than he was a week earlier. Hooper sat out practices last Wednesday and Thursday before returning to work Friday, but went on to play a season-low 34 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. With back-to-back limited practice showings to kick of Week 16, Hooper should reclaim a higher snap share this weekend in Carolina.

Graham (knee/thumb) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

With his return to drills, Graham is more or less upholding his practice standard from much of his sole season as a Packer. Since he last scored a touchdown Week 9, he's been in a six-game rut, hauling in 17 of his 26 targets for 156 yards. Assuming he's active Sunday versus the Jets, Graham may have a tough time bouncing back against a Jets defense that has allowed the fewest receiving yards (452) to tight ends this season.

Njoku (knee/thigh) practiced fully Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku is thus in line to play Sunday against the Bengals. The 2017 first-rounder has caught three passes in each of his last three outings, but his last notable fantasy outing came against Cincinnati in the game before that, when Njoku hauled in all five of his targets for 63 yards and a TD.

Thomas (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session.

Thomas has some recent action due to his hamstring injury, but it appears he may have turned a corner after his full practice Thursday. He'll look to resume his role as a backup tight end for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16.

Swaim (wrist) did not practice Thursday, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Swaim has missed the last four games after undergoing surgery for a fractured wrist in mid-November, and has yet to return to practice. The 25-year-old is trending towards remaining sidelined for Sunday's tilt against the Buccaneers, in which case Blake Jarwin would once again serve as the Cowboys' top tight end.