NFL Player News

Jets tight end Jace Amaro (concussion) believes he will be cleared to play Sunday at Tennessee.

Amaro has missed the last two games. His production has slowed considerably since a six-game stretch early in the year in which he caught 29 passes for 272 yards. He has just two receptions for six yards since.

Rams defensive end Chris Long was listed as questionable to play Thursday on the team's final injury report for Week 15's matchup with the Cardinals.

"He was OK," Rams coach Jeff Fisher told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after practice. "We'll see how he is in the warmups tomorrow, but we're very optimistic about it."

The rest of the Rams' injured players were listed as probable after participating fully in practice Wednesday. That list includes center Scott Wells (elbow), guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder), linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle), defensive tackle Alex Carrington (thigh), linebacker Will Herring (foot), tight end Cory Harkey (knee) and receiver Kenny Britt (not injury related).

The Lions have placed tight end Joseph Fauria on the injured-reserve after suffering an ankle injury for the second time this season. Fauria, who left early in Week 14's win over the Buccaneers, returned to score a touchdown.

"It will only make my future success that much sweeter," Fauria said on Instagram. "Trust I'm going to come back the best I've ever been."

Fauria's season ends with six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Sources have indicated the Lions will sign tight end Kellen Davis Tuesday, according to ProFootbalTalk.com.

The Lions previously waived Davis Nov. 25. The potential signing of Davis indicates the Lions are not confident tight end Joseph Fauria will be able to recover from his injured ankle, according to The Detroit News. Fauria missed six games earlier this season after injuring his ankle.

The Lions play the Vikings Week 15.

The Packers got several big contributions in their 43-37 win over the Falcons on Monday night. Tight end Andrew Quarless caught three of four targets for 52 yards, including a 30-yard gain on 3rd-and-17. Rookie wideout Davante Adams caught one of four targets for 6 yards.

Fullback John Kuhn had a 4-yard rush and a 6-yard catch.

They'll all visit the Bills in Week 15.

Rex Ryan believes that Jets standout defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) and tight end Jace Amaro (concussion) will be ready to roll for their Sunday game against Tennessee, the New York Daily News has reported.

Wilkerson has been absent from the last two games.

Lions tight end Joseph Fauria will have an MRI done on his injured left ankle Monday. Fauria, who left in the first half of Sunday's game to have his ankle examined, had two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' win over the Buccaneers. 

Fauria missed six games earlier this year with after spraining the same ankle. 

OK. So one week after getting shut out at Pittsburgh, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, heretofore considered a Fantasy stud, caught just three passes for 25 yards Week 14 against Carolina. That's upsetting. I'll grant you that.

But what are you going to do about it? Maybe if trading was still an option, I could see how you might consider the possibility that the shoulder sprain he suffered way back in Week 5 is too much to overcome or that defenses have suddenly figured him out five years into his career. At that point, every tight end in the game is theoretically within your reach, so it doesn't hurt to examine every possible angle.

But this late in the season, the only places you can look for alternatives are the waiver wire and your bench. And unless you somehow have both Graham and Rob Gronkowski on your roster, I'm going to say neither offers an adequate replacement.

Even if Graham's shoulder is still bothering him, as he suggested earlier in the week, he still has six touchdowns in seven games since returning. You know how many other tight ends have six touchdowns during that stretch? Try zero. Graham still led the Saints in targets in Week 14 with 11. You know how many tight ends have gotten more than 11 targets in any game this season? Heading into Week 14, only seven. Graham himself was the only one to do it more than once.

The last two weeks haven't been what you hoped to see from a player of his caliber, but Graham's potential from week to week remains too great for you to sit him.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz led the way Week 14 against the Seahawks.

Ertz gained 39 yards on two receptions during the contest. A large chunk of his yardage came on a 35 yard touchdown reception from Mark Sanchez in the third quarter. Ertz was targeted just three times during the game. 

He'll look for more Week 15 against the Cowboys. 

The Seahawks backup receivers managed to get some work Week 14 against the Eagles.

Jermaine Kearse finished second on the team in receiving, gaining 37 yards on three catches. Paul Richardson had two receptions, picking up 27 yards. Kevin Norwood also had two catches. He finished with 22 yards. Ricardo Lockette hauled in one pass, gaining 19 yards. Tight end Tony Moeaki caught one pass, picking up 15 yards. Fullback Will Tukuafu also had one catch, gaining 4 yards. Luke Willson gained one yard on his only reception.

The group will look for more Week 15 against the 49ers.