NFL Player News

Derby (shoulder) wasn't present for practice Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post reports.

Along with Derby, fellow tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) remained out for the second straight day of practice, casting doubt on the availability of both for Sunday's game against the Bengals. If the duo is sidelined for the Week 11 matchup, starter Virgil Green would be the only healthy tight end on the depth chart, which could prompt the team to add another player at the position.

Derby (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

The same applies to fellow tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee), but neither looks like a high-percentage fantasy option in Week 11, even if either suits up. Derby, who was forced out of Sunday's game against the Patriots in the third quarter, has been held to one catch in two straight games while totaling just 13 receiving yards in that span.

Lewis was limited at Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

It's apparently a new issue, as Lewis hasn't been listed on the injury report since he dealt with a minor shoulder injury in Week 7. Lewis logged 92 percent of the offensive snaps in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Chargers, catching two of five targets for 29 yards. The tight end hasn't topped three catches or 49 yards in any contest since his out-of-nowhere three-touchdown explosion against the Ravens back in Week 3. Any limitations Lewis might face in Week 11 against the Browns would likely would impact the Jacksonville rushing attack more than the passing game.

Ertz (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday.

A true game-time decision prior to the Eagles' last contest Nov. 5 against the Broncos, Ertz was ultimately held out when he didn't respond well to a pregame workout. Heading into practice Wednesday, he told Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer that he "felt good" after participating in Monday's session and Tuesday's workout, forecasting his uncapped return Wednesday. Ertz's focus can now turn to Sunday's matchup in Dallas, whose defense has surrendered 7.6 yards per target and three touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Ertz (hamstring) said Wednesday that his injured hamstring "felt good" during his practice session Monday and his workout Tuesday, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Though the Eagles expected Ertz to play ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Broncos, he was a surprise inactive prior to the contest, with the coaching staff electing to play it safe with the tight end heading into a bye week. The extra time off to rest has apparently served Ertz well, but he acknowledged that a true assessment of his health probably can't be made until after the team's first official practice of the week Wednesday. Assuming Ertz is able to see at least limited involvement Wednesday, he'll likely put himself on track to suit up and start Sunday against the Cowboys.

Kroft was held to one four-yard catch out of six targets in Sunday's 24-20 loss to Tennessee.

What's going on with Kroft? After four straight games with at least four catches, the third-year tight end has caught just two passes over the past two weeks. It wasn't for a lack of trying on Sunday as Andy Dalton looked Kroft's way six times but found friendlier confines on the outside to A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell. Expect Kroft to get more attention this coming week against Denver, a team that boasts lockdown cornerbacks but has struggled defending athletic tight ends this season.

Lewis nabbed two of five targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Chargers.

Lewis has now caught multiple passes in three straight games after just one such performance in the seasons' first six contests. The big-bodied target has shown some swiftness in the Jaguars' most recent contests with a catch of at least 20 yards in all three. He's still a tough start given the Jaguars' typically run-focused ways.

Hooper nabbed all six of his targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-7 win over Dallas.

Hooper helped cap off the romp early in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown grab, his second in three weeks, after battling through a five-game scoreless streak earlier in the season. Most of Hooper's work takes place underneath as he's averaged just 8.7 yards per catch from Week 2 on. Still, it's a positive sign that Matt Ryan is looking more frequently toward Hooper, who has been targeted at least six times in five of his last six games.

Njoku grabbed just one of his six targets for three yards during Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Lions.

While Njoku and Seth DeValve each earned six targets apiece, it was DeValve -- not the rookie -- who made the biggest impact. DeValve finished with four receptions for 70 yards to Njoku's one catch. Sunday wasn't a complete letdown for the 21-year-old, though. For the first time in weeks, he out-snapped DeValve, as he may finally be ready to take on a bigger role in Cleveland's offense.

Derby injured his shoulder in Sunday's 41-16 loss to the Patriots, but he said Monday that he feels better than he expected to, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News

Derby left in the third quarter and finished with just one catch for two yards on one target. He's trending in the wrong direction with just four receptions the past three weeks, but his role on passing downs should still be secure if the shoulder injury isn't serious. Derby likely will show up on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals.