NFL Player News

Kieft (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game versus the Saints, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Kieft will miss his first game of the season in Week 17 due to a shoulder injury. In his place, rookie fifth-rounder Payne Durham will probably see more snaps on early downs and near the goal line.

Coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that Mayer (toe) will more than likely remain out Sunday against the Colts, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Mayer missed Monday's win over Kansas City due to a toe injury and hasn't been able to participate in practice leading up to Sunday's game in Indianapolis. The rookie tight end's status won't be confirmed until Friday's injury report, but it looks like Austin Hooper and Zach Gentry will be Vegas' only healthy tight ends against the Colts.

Yeboah caught two of three targets for 28 yards in Thursday's 37-20 loss to the Browns.

Yeboah recorded his first two catches of the season while working as the No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Conklin with Jeremy Ruckert (concussion) unavailable. If neither Ruckert nor C.J. Uzomah (knee) suit up in Week 18 against the Patriots, Yeboah would likely continue to see regular playing time in the season finale.

Conklin secured all five targets for 46 yards in the Jets' 37-20 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.

Conklin's catch total tied him for second on the night for the Jets, and the veteran tight end checked in as the runner-up in receiving yards as well. Conklin is heading into the regular-season finale against the Patriots on Jan. 7 on a solid run of production, as he's posted at least four catches in four consecutive games while drawing no fewer than five targets since Week 11.

Njoku secured six of eight targets for 134 yards in the Browns' 37-20 win over the Jets on Thursday night. He also lost a fumble.

Njoku paced the Browns in receptions, receiving yards and targets on a night when Amari Cooper (heel) was sidelined and Elijah Moore (head) left the game just before halftime. About the only blemishes on the tight end's night -- which got off on the right foot with a 36-yard reception on his first grab -- was his lost fumble early in the second quarter after a 15-yard catch and the fact he wasn't on the receiving end of any of Joe Flacco's three touchdowns. Nevertheless, Njoku's production was especially valuable considering it came on championship week for many fantasy leagues, and it also left him within 118 yards of his first 1,000-yard season going into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bengals on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Fant (knee) practiced in full Thursday, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Fant didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough, but his return to all activity one day later indicates the tight end likely was given a maintenance day to kick off Week 17 prep. He'll thus retain his role as the Seahawks' No. 1 tight end Sunday versus the Steelers, which hasn't yielded much in terms of production (27-355-0 on 37 targets in 15 games) this season.

Wilcox (foot) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Wilcox was not listed on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday, so he presumably picked up the foot issue at practice during the week. He'll likely need to practice in full Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Wesco (shin) logged a full practice session Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Wesco missed Sunday's loss to Seattle due to a shin injury, and he was a limited participant in the first practice session of Week 17 prep Wednesday. However, the tight end was able to log a full practice session Thursday, putting him on track to suit up in Houston on Sunday. Even if that plays out, Wesco's role as a blocking specialist gives him very limited appeal in fantasy -- he's logged just one catch on three targets over 392 offensive snaps on the season.

Musgrave (kidney) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Musgrave now has a limited walkthrough and a capped practice under his belt this week as he continues his recovery from the lacerated kidney that he suffered Week 11 versus the Chargers. Coach Matt LaFleur told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday that Musgrave is pining to play Sunday against the Vikings, but the rookie right end will need to receive medical clearance along with looking like himself in order to do so. Ultimately, the Packers will need to activate Musgrave from injured reserve by Saturday afternoon for him to have a chance to suit up this weekend.

Henry (knee) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Henry, who was inactive for the Patriots' 26-23 win over the Broncos in Week 16, was also limited Wednesday, which suggests that the tight end could be trending toward a return to the lineup Sunday against the Bills. However, unless he practices fully Friday, Henry will likely carry an injury designation into the contest.