NFL Player News

Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas  will to make his first career start on Sunday against the 49ers, a source told Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. Coach Bruce Arians announced that Thomas will be the starter over Ryan Lindley on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM radio soon after his press conference on Monday.

"We'll go with Logan, and to be honest with you, I'll have a quick hook," Arians said. "I want to see what he's got with a week of preparation for our future, and into the playoffs what's the best thing for us."

With Drew Stanton (knee) still sidelined, coach Bruce Arians went with Lindley in a Week 16 home loss to Seattle. Lindley completed 18 of 44 passes for 216 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Thomas has appeared in two games this season. He has only completed one of nine attempts. His only completion resulted in an 81-yard touchdown pass to Andre Ellington.

Arizona is currently a 4 1/2-point underdog at San Francisco.

Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet was able to return Week 16 against the Cardinals.

Helfet was carted off in the first half with a rib injury. He was initially ruled questionable to return to the contest, but was cleared to return after half time. Helfet returned at the start of the third quarter. 

Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet was carted off the field Week 16 against the Seahawks.

Helfet came into the game with an ankle injury, but was carted off with a rib injury. He is questionable to return to the contest. Helfet caught two passes for 9 yards before leaving. 

Several Rams contributed in their Week 16 loss to the Giants. Among them, wideout Chris Givens caught his only target for a 47-yard touchdown and receiver Stedman Bailey secured two of five targets for 22 yards.

Wideout Tavon Austin ran three times for 25 yards and had a 15-yard reception. Backup running back Benny Cunningham ran once for minus-1 yard and caught two passes for 19 yards. Tight end Cory Harkey made a 1-yard catch.

They'll all finish the season at Seattle.

The Giants got a slew of offensive contributions in their 37-27 win at St. Louis. Among them, tight end Larry Donnell caught four of five targets for 42 yards, wideout Preston Parker caught all three of his targets for 32 yards and tight end Daniel Fells hauled in two passes for 20 yards.

Backup running back Orleans Darkwa ran four times for 21 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown, and secured both his targets for 17 yards.

They'll all play the Eagles in Week 17.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is active Week 16 against the Cardinals.

Lynch came into the contest with a back injury, but was listed as probable. He's battling through the issue most of the season, and continues to put up strong numbers. 

The team will also have Cooper Helfet, Paul Richardson and J.R. Sweezy. All three players came into the game listed as probable. 

The Seahawks have listed Max Unger, Demarcus Dobbs, Russell Okung, Chris Matthews, Kevin Norwood, Travian Robertson and Tony Moeaki as inactive Week 16 against the Cardinals. 

Both Dobbs and Unger entered the contest listed as doubtful. Unger has been battling an ankle and knee injury. Dobbs also has an ankle issue. Moeaki was listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury. The other four players are considered healthy scratches.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham become the first player in franchise history with three seasons of three-plus touchdowns during Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

Graham came down with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees in the fourth quarter. He was targeted 10 times and finished with six catches for 53 yards and a score in a 30-14 defeat. He moved into second place in franchise history with 51 career touchdown receptions.

New Orleans will face Tampa Bay in Week 17.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen left the game at Dallas with a knee injury and is questionable to return. Before leaving, Allen dropped all three of his targets.

Tight end Coby Fleener should see increased targets in Allen's absence.

In setting a franchise record with 15 receptions Week 16 at Washington, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, as you might expect, also led the team with 18 targets, 10 more than his previous season high, which he had only reached once. In other words, he hadn't been a significant part of the Eagles passing game prior to Week 16.

Of course, 18 targets is an unfair comparison for anyone. It's the second-most any player has had in a game this season. It was made possible by quarterback Mark Sanchez attempting a season-high 50 passes in a game where neither team had trouble moving the ball. Of course, the Redskins in particular have struggled against tight ends this season, allowing the fourth-most Fantasy points per game to them.

Here's the problem for Ertz: The Eagles didn't win. This tight end-heavy approach wasn't some game-changer for their offense, and two talented wide receivers in Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews took a back seat because of it.

Obviously, if you're hurting at tight end -- and it's a position that isn't quite 12 deep in Fantasy -- you could give him a look for Week 17 against Dallas, which also struggles against tight ends, but more likely than not, this performance was an aberration.