NFL Player News

Johnson (back) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

The Giants listed Johnson as a limited participant on practice reports issued Monday through Wednesday, but the team saw enough from the rookie tight end to give him the green light to play Thanksgiving Day. Johnson has seen his involvement in the passing attack gradually pick up as the campaign has unfolded, and he comes into Thursday's contest having accrued a 13-162-1 receiving line on 22 targets over his last four games.

Spann-Ford played 33 of the Cowboys' 66 snaps on offense and recorded two catches for 24 yards on two targets in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Commanders.

With Jake Ferguson (concussion) sidelined, Luke Schoonmaker drew the start at tight end, while Spann-Ford moved up a spot on the depth chart at served as the No. 2 option. The undrafted rookie out of Minnesota proved to be a reliable tertiary target in the passing game and frequently shared the field with Schoonmaker, who played 65 percent of the snaps. The Cowboys are expected to lean on Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford as their primary tight ends once again Thursday versus the Giants, as Ferguson has yet to practice this week and looks to be trending toward a second straight absence.

Likely failed to record a single target in Monday's 30-23 win over the Chargers.

Likely was held without a catch for just the second time this season as the 24-year-old continued what has been a mostly disappointing season after a hot start back in Week 1 against the Chiefs. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Mark Andrews produce a solid performance Monday, catching all five of his targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. Likely did, however, lead all Baltimore tight ends in playing time, as he was on the field for 35 of the Ravens' 65 offensive snaps. Andrews and Charlie Kolar finished with 27 and 32 snaps, respectively. With Andrews more involved in the passing game as the season has progressed, Likely has lost most of his fantasy utility within the Ravens' aerial attack. Barring injuries, the Coastal Carolina product should not be trusted for consistent fantasy production going forward. The Ravens are set to host the Eagles in Week 13.

Granson failed to catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions.

Granson was a complete non-factor in the contest, failing to record a single reception for the sixth time in 12 games. The veteran tight end did, however, lead all Indianapolis tight ends in playing time, as he was on the field for 35 of the Colts' 55 offensive snaps Sunday. Meanwhile, fellow tight ends Drew Ogletree and Mo Alie-Cox played 30 and 23 snaps, respectively. Despite operating as the Colts' No. 1 tight end, Granson should not be trusted for fantasy purposes in a Week 13 matchup against the Patriots.

Alie-Cox failed to record a single target in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions.

Alie-Cox played 42 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps, but the 31-year-old was not targeted by quarterback Anthony Richardson. The veteran tight end has now been held without a catch in eight of 12 games this season, providing little to no fantasy utility most weeks. Alie-Cox remains off the fantasy radar as the Colts visit the Patriots in Week 13.

Bryant (ankle) was considered to be a full participant at the Raiders' walkthrough Tuesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Bryant appears to be set to return to the field Friday versus Kansas City after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. The 26-year-old will be back in his role as the No. 3 option behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer at tight end in Week 13.

Ferguson (concussion) did not practice Tuesday, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, Ferguson was spotted working off to the side during the portion of Tuesday's practice that was open to the media, but the tight end hasn't progressed enough through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to take part in non-contact drills. Ferguson appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game this Thursday against the Giants, with Cowboys executive Stephen Jones having already noted earlier in the week that the 25-year-old was "a little more of a long shot" to play Thanksgiving Day, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford would again handle tight end duties if Ferguson isn't cleared to play.

FitzPatrick (back) did not participate in Tuesday's practice, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

FitzPatrick has logged consecutive DNPs to open the week, and he'll have to practice in at least a limited capacity Wednesday in order to have a chance at playing Thursday against the Dolphins. The 2022 sixth-round pick played 18 snaps (14 on offense, four on special teams) during the Packers' 38-10 win over the 49ers this past Sunday and hauled in his lone target for two yards.

The Chargers signed Castles to their practice squad Tuesday.

The Chargers cut Castles last week, but he's now back with the team's practice squad. Turning 25 years old next week, Castles has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

The Giants claimed Dulcich off waivers from the Broncos on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

After falling out of favor in Denver and being a healthy inactive in each of the Broncos' last eight games, Dulcich should have a better chance at earning playing time in a Giants tight end room that includes Theo Johnson (back), Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz. With the Giants facing a quick turnaround for Week 13 with a Thursday game against the Cowboys, Dulcich likely won't be active for that contest, but he could have an opportunity to compete for snaps once he gets a full week of practice under his belt. Over 16 career games across two-plus seasons in Denver, the 24-year-old Dulcich recorded 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns on 71 targets.