NFL Player News

Wright (hip) is listed as out for Saturday's game at Dallas, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The game status is not surprising considering Wright was not able to practice at all during the week. In his absence, 2022 fifth-rounder James Mitchell will probably get more work on early downs and near the goal line.

Mayer (toe) was listed as a non-participant for Thursday's walk-through practice.

The Raiders have held walkthroughs for the first two Week 17 practice sessions, and Mayer has been estimated as a non-participant on both occasions. He'll have an opportunity Friday to get in some on-field work, but another absence would put him on track to miss a second straight game Sunday at Indianapolis. If Mayer is sidelined, Austin Hooper would likely be in store for a three-down role as the Raiders' starting tight end.

Cager (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old tight end missed the Giants' Week 16 loss to the Eagles with this groin issue, and after beginning the team's week of practice with an estimated DNP, he was able to return to the field in a limited fashion Thursday. Unless Cager is able to practice in full Friday, he's expected to carry an injury designation into New York's Week 17 affair.

Waller (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Like several other of his Giants teammates, Waller was estimated as a limited participant Wednesday for the team's walk-through session, but he was back on the field as a full participant a day later to erase any concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Rams. Since returning from a stint on injured reserve in Week 15, Waller has been held to six catches for 72 yards and no touchdowns on 11 targets, but his fantasy ceiling could be higher in Week 17 with a more proven signal-caller in Tyrod Taylor set to replace slumping undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito as the Giants' starting quarterback.

Kmet (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Kmet departed in the middle of this past Sunday's win against the Cardinals due to a knee injury that so far has kept him off the practice field during Week 17 prep. He'll thus have just one more opportunity this week to mix into drills before the Bears potentially make a call on his availability ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Falcons. An absence from Kmet would result in more snaps for fellow tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis.

Fant (knee) was a non-participant at Wednesday's walkthrough, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Since going without a target back in Week 1, Fant's number of looks ranged from between one and five in the Seahawks' next 13 games before again getting blanked this past Sunday's win over Tennessee. Overall, he's produced a modest 27-355-0 receiving line on 37 targets through 15 contests, but his lack of activity to kick off Week 17 prep now places a cloud over his upcoming availability. Still, Fant has two more chances this week to put himself in a position to play Sunday against the Steelers.

The Raiders placed Horsted (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Horsted won't be eligible to return until deep in the playoffs should the Raiders make it to the postseason. He played just eight offensive snaps across 13 appearances this season, mainly working on special teams for Las Vegas.

Henry (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Henry closed out Week 16 prep with a limited practice, but after initially being listed as questionable, the tight end was subsequently downgraded to out Saturday, one day before the Patriots' 26-23 win over the Broncos. With another limited session in the books, Henry has a chance to suit up this Sunday against the Bills, but unless he practices fully by the end of the week, he'll presumably carry an injury designation into gameday.

The Jets signed Kuntz to the 53-man roster Wednesday.

He takes the roster spot of offensive tackle Duane Brown )back), who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. The 24-year-old Kuntz has never appeared in a regular-season game, but with Jeremy Ruckert (concussion) out for Thursday's game against the Browns and C.J. Uzomah (knee) on injured reserve, the tight end could make his NFL debut this week as a depth piece behind Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah.

Kieft didn't practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

Kieft played more snaps (17) during Sunday's 30-12 win versus the Jaguars than he had in any game this season since Week 2, but he apparently hurt his shoulder at some point along the way. He'll probably need to practice Thursday or Friday to have a chance to suit up Week 17 versus the Saints.