NFL Player News

Hooper caught all five of his targets for 31 yards during Thursday's 31-17 loss to the Saints.

Hooper has been a high-volume target within the Falcons passing attack, helping him develop into a back-end TE1 option in his third year out of Stanford. He's garnered 6.2 targets per game this season (compared to a previous career-best of 4.1 targets per game in 2017), and remains just 50 receiving yards short of a personal record (526). A Week 13 matchup against Baltimore is less than optimal, facing a defense that's allowed three tight end touchdowns all season -- Hooper has a score in three of four double-digit PPR outings in 2018, and a touchdown in all three of his double-digit performances in standard formats.

Graham (thumb/knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Minnesota, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

Held out of Wednesday's practice, Graham was then listed as a limited participant both Thursday and Friday, reportedly testing out different splints to see if he can play with a broken thumb. His work at Thursday's practice included catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, seemingly marking a major step in the right direction. Despite his recent progress, Graham may be headed for a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 8:20 PM EST kickoff. The timing of the contest will put Graham's fantasy owners in a bind unless the Packers announce a decision before Sunday afternoon.

Allen (knee) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Allen is the only member of New England's roster to officially be ruled out for Sunday's divisional tilt against the Jets. The veteran tight end was unable to practice in any capacity this week, and will miss his third straight game. With Rob Gronkowski (back/ankle) trending towards suiting up Week 12, Allen's lack of availability is unlikely to have a notable impact on the Patriots' offense.

Njoku (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who practiced in a limited fashion to start the week, graduated to a full practice Friday, suggesting that he's trending in the right direction. That said, given that Njoku is one of just two Cleveland players on the team's Week 12 injury report, the tight end's status is worth tracking in advance of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff. Assuming he's plays this weekend, Njoku profiles as a bounce-back candidate while taking aim at a Cincinnati defense that tight ends have found a decent level of success against this season.

Hewitt (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Hewitt failed to suit up in any practice this week and was ultimately ruled out for Sunday. Depth will be an issue at tight end for the Colts on Sunday, as Erik Swoope (knee) has been ruled out and Mo Alie-Cox (calf) is listed as questionable.

Derby (foot/knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby was limited at practice throughout the week, leaving his status for Sunday up in the air. The 27-year-old missed six games with a foot issue prior to returning Week 10 against the Packers, but is now dealing with a knee issue as well after the bye week. Mike Gesicki would serve as the Dolphins' No. 2 tight end should Derby be unable to play Sunday.

Arnold caught four of six targets, accounting for 45 receiving yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 31-17 win against the Falcons.

The second-year tight end had by far his best outing as a pro Thanksgiving night, setting career highs in receptions, targets and yards while picking up his first touchdown in seven appearances as a member of the active roster. Arnold slipped past Sharrod Neasman on a seam route and laid out to haul in a 25-yard Drew Brees touchdown pass midway through the third quarter that helped New Orleans capture a three-possession advantage over Atlanta. Even facing a Cowboys defense in Week 13 that allows the fifth-most tight end receiving yards this season (705), Arnold is little more than a deep-league dart throw, with Benjamin Watson having averaged 1.8 more targets per game prior to this Thursday night revelation.

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

After failing to participate in Wednesday's session, Graham made good on coach Mike McCarthy's assertion that the tight end would test out different splints this week to see if he can play through a broken thumb. On Thursday, Graham took part with a distinct tape job on his left hand, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Graham proceeded to haul in passes from Aaron Rodgers at different stages of practice, according to Josh Tolentino of The Athletic. If Graham gains the requisite approval from the Packers' medical and training staffs, his gameday workload likely will be dictated by pain tolerance.

The Dolphins listed Derby (foot/knee) as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated practice report, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

It represents no change in Derby's level of practice participation from what he was able to do Wednesday. If Derby upgrades to full participation for the Dolphins' final practice of the week Friday, he should be a decent bet to suit up Sunday against the Colts. Prior to the Dolphins' Week 11 bye, Derby returned from a six-game absence to play 30 offensive snaps in the team's 31-12 loss to the Packers on Nov. 11.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Graham (thumb) would participate in Thursday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Graham hasn't given up hope of playing Sunday in Minnesota after fracturing his thumb in the Week 11 loss to the Seahawks. Though he sat out Wednesday's practice, he'll be on the field Thursday while he tests out an attachment to protect the injured finger. If the splint allows Graham to catch and run without too many complications, his odds of suiting up for the divisional matchup would increase. Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan would all see elevated roles this weekend in the event the Packers elect to hold out Graham.