NFL Player News

Hollister (hamstring) put in a limited practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After sitting out the Patriots' first practice of the week, Hollister took a step forward in his recovery by turning in a limited session a day later. Meanwhile, top tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) reverted from limited participation Wednesday to non-participation Thursday, which suddenly makes his status more of question mark for Sunday's game against the Packers. If Gronkowski ends up missing the contest, Dwayne Allen and Hollister -- if healthy -- would both be in store for increased snaps, though neither player offers much fantasy upside.

Swaim (knee) won't participate in Thursday's practice, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

After suffering an MCL sprain in the Cowboys' Oct. 21 loss to the Redskins, Swaim benefited from Dallas' Week 8 bye to heal up from the injury. It appears the week of rest wasn't enough to fully remedy the issue, putting Swaim's status in question for Monday's game against the Titans. He'll have two more days of practice to prove his health, but if Swaim is ultimately sidelined for the first time this season, Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz would be in store for more work at tight end.

Hollister (hamstring) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hollister has missed the Patriots' last two games with the lingering hamstring injury. His absence from the Patriots' first practice of Week 9 doesn't offer any early optimism that he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Packers, though Hollister could reverse the narrative with participation in practices Thursday and/or Friday. With Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) also hurting, Dwayne Allen is the only tight end on New England's roster who's currently healthy.

Graham (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

With a maintenance plan in place for the 31-year-old tight end, Graham is kicking off Week 9 preparations as he normally does. His production has oscillated from game to game, though, as he's recorded more than 70 yards three times and less than 25 yards three other times in his first seven appearances with the Packers.

Derby (foot) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby has missed five straight games due to a foot injury, but he finally appears to be nearing a return to the field. Though he had worked as the Dolphins' starting tight end prior to missing time with the injury, it's unclear if Derby would vault back ahead of Nick O'Leary and Mike Gesicki on the depth chart if cleared to play Week 9 against the Jets.

Njoku (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku was also limited last Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to full participation Friday and didn't have an injury designation for Sunday's 33-18 loss to Pittsburgh. It's possible the knee injury contributed to a disappointing stat line, as the second-year tight end failed to draw even a single target despite topping 50 yards in each of the previous four games. Njoku handled his normal workload from a snap perspective, taking the field for 53 of Cleveland's 64 offensive plays (83 percent). He should bounce back in Sunday's game against Kansas City, perhaps even benefiting from new leadership on the sidelines after coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were fired. The Chiefs have allowed tight ends to put up 74.5 yards per game, 13.9 yards per catch and 9.3 yards per target this season.

Andrews caught four of five targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 36-21 loss to Carolina.

The targets and catches both marked career highs for Andrews. Though he has just two touchdowns at the season's midway point and has topped Sunday's modest yardage total just once, he still looks like the safest bet among Baltimore's four-tight-end rotation -- leading the group in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Next is a Sunday matchup against a Steelers pass defense ranked in the bottom 10 of the league, surrendering 265 yards per game.

Hurst caught two of three targets for 29 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 36-21 loss to Carolina.

Hurst broke up the left seam in the closing moments of Sunday's game, connecting with fellow rookie Lamar Jackson. That marked a nice moment for Baltimore's two 2018 first-round pick -- but probably not predictive of short-term success. Any potential chemistry with Jackson is largely moot so long as Joe Flacco remains the starter and, prior to the touchdown grab, Hurst had just two catches for 10 yards on the season. Sunday's touchdown might make for a nice montage inclusion a decade from now if Jackson and Hurst someday form a dynamic duo, but don't read too much into it ahead of Sunday's matchup against a Steelers pass defense that has given up its fair share of yardage this season.

Wolf signed with the Packers' practice squad on Tuesday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Wolf signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent earlier this season, but ultimately failed to make the roster. He'll look to provide depth at tight end for the Packers. Fullback Joe Kerridge was released from the practice squad in a corresponding move.

Goedert caught his lone target for a 32-yard touchdown in Sunday's 24-18 win over the Jaguars.

Goedert caught the Jaguars sleeping, coming down with a long bomb just before halftime to put the Eagles up 10-6, a lead they would not relinquish. Of course, it's difficult to count on touchdowns like that on a weekly basis, especially when it's the only target one sees all day, and it's the second game in his last three with just one opportunity to catch a pass. Perhaps having scored in consecutive games while catching 17 of 18 targets since Week 3 will earn the rookie first-rounder more work coming out of the Week 9 bye.