NFL Player News
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Stephen Sullivan TE | CAR
Stephen Sullivan: Lands back on practice squad
Sullivan (knee) reverted to Carolina's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Sullivan got his first elevation of the season Sunday against Tampa Bay and played eight offensive snaps along with nine special-teams snaps. He didn't catch his only target and suffered a knee injury in the second half, causing him to miss the rest of the contest after initially being deemed doubtful to return. The injury could be an obstacle to Sullivan being elevated again Week 14, as could the potential return of the Panthers' top tight end, Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck).
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Irv Smith TE | HOU
Irv Smith: Back to practice squad
Smith reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Week 13 was the first time Smith was elevated to the Texans' active roster this season as he took over for Teagon Quitoriano (knee) as the No. 3 tight end behind Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover. Smith played 22 snaps (17 on offense, five on special teams) and did not show up on the box score in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Jaguars. The 2019 second-round pick is eligible to be elevated from Houston's practice squad two more times this season.
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Zach Davidson TE | BUF
Zach Davidson: Moves back to practice squad
The Bills reverted Davidson to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Davidson was active for Sunday's Week 13 game against San Francisco and played 15 offensive snaps, failing to catch his only target. He was clearly the third tight-end option for Buffalo behind Dawson Knox (28 offensive snaps) and Quintin Morris (24) with Dalton Kincaid (knee) out of action. If Kincaid sits out again next Sunday in Los Angeles against the Rams, Davidson could be elevated again, though he doesn't see enough action to be a viable fantasy target.
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John FitzPatrick TE | GB
Packers' John FitzPatrick: Still nursing back injury
FitzPatrick (back) was a limited participant in Monday's practice.
The 24-year-old was active for the Packers' Week 13 win over the Dolphins after being listed as questionable due to a back injury. Monday's injury report indicates that FitzPatrick is still dealing with the issue in some capacity, and he could be in jeopardy of missing Green Bay's divisional matchup against the Lions on Thursday night if he downgrades to no participation Tuesday or Wednesday.
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AJ Barner TE | SEA
Seahawks' AJ Barner: Scores in comeback win
Barner caught two passes (two targets) for 14 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Jets.
With Noah Fant (groin) back in the lineup, Barner reverted to No. 2 tight-end duties, recording a 40 percent snap share. Barner -- a rookie fourth-round pick -- reeled in a 12-yard pass from Geno Smith in the second quarter to get the Seahawks on the scoreboard. He doesn't have much upside in his current role unless he finds the end zone.
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Noah Fant TE | SEA
Seahawks' Noah Fant: Three catches in return
Fant caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Jets.
Fant returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to a groin injury. He was still the clear No. 1 tight end with a 68 percent snap share, but AJ Barner is gaining some ground with a 40 percent share. Fant is still seeking his first touchdown of the season, and he has yet to post more than 65 yards in a game.
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Dallas Goedert TE | PHI
Eagles' Dallas Goedert: Considered week-to-week
Goedert (knee) is considered week-to-week and could be a candidate for injured reserve, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The injury isn't believed to be season-ending for Goedert, but a four-week stint on injured reserve appears to be an option. In doing so, the Eagles would not have him back until Week 18. For now, Goedert should be considered doubtful, at best, for next Sunday's game against the Panthers. He previously missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Grant Calcaterra played 90-plus percent of the snaps twice in those three contests. Calcaterra likely will slide back into that role for however long Goedert is sidelined.
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Theo Johnson TE | NYG
Giants' Theo Johnson: Sent to injured reserve
The Giants placed Johnson (foot) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Johnson won't be eligible to return until the Week 18 regular-season finale, so it's fair to assume his rookie season is likely over after coach Brian Daboll hinted that was the case following the team's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys. In Johnson's absence, New York will roll with Daniel Bellinger, blocker Chris Manhertz and waiver-wire pickup Greg Dulcich at tight end.
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Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Expected back for Week 14
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Oliver (ankle) is expected to return next Sunday against the Falcons, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Oliver has missed the Vikings' past two games due to a left ankle sprain. In Oliver's absence, T.J. Hockenson has seen elevated snap rates of 68 and 64 percent after playing 48 percent or less of the snaps in his first three games back from the reserve/PUP list. It's unclear what Oliver's return will do to Hockenson's snap share, if anything. In his two games without Oliver, Hockenson has totaled a 10-142-0 line on 15 targets. Oliver's the better blocker of the duo.
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Ja'Tavion Sanders TE | CAR
Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders: Hopeful for Week 14
Coach Dave Canales said Monday that the hope is Sanders (neck) will be able to return next Sunday against the Eagles, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Sanders injured his neck Week 12 against the Chiefs and didn't practice last week before missing this past Sunday's loss to the Bucs. With Sanders out versus Tampa Bay, Tommy Tremble played 100 percent of the offensive snaps for the first time in his career and set career highs across the board in targets (eight), catches (five) and yards (77).