NFL Player News

Johnson secured four of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 30-22 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

The talented tight end was third in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Saints, and the latter two figures set and tied a season high, respectively. Johnson's catch total was his highest since Week 12 as well, and he scored for the second time in four days on a five-yard touchdown grab just past the midway point of the fourth quarter. Johnson next takes aim at a Buccaneers defense that's been vulnerable to tight ends all season when the Saints square off with their division rival in a Week 17 road matchup on New Year's Eve.

Dwelley (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The third-string tight end has missed two straight games and appears to be trending that way again heading into Monday's matchup with the Ravens. Dwelley has one catch for 12 yards this season.

Wright (hip) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Wright has been a spectator for both of the Lions' first two Week 16 practices, so he'll likely need to log some on-field reps Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday in Minnesota. If Wright is sidelined this weekend, James Mitchell would step in as the top backup to starting tight end Sam LaPorta.

Smythe (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Smythe's practice reps were capped for the second day in a row, but he could still end up approaching Sunday's game against the Cowboys without a designation if he's able to participate fully in Friday's session. The tight end turned in his best receiving performance since Week 4 in this past Sunday's 30-0 win over the Jets, finishing with four catches for 32 yards on four targets.

Jordan (illness) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Jordan increased his practice activity Thursday, after he sat out Wednesday's session entirely while recovering from the illness. If Jordan is able to participate fully in Friday's session, he should be in the clear to serve as the No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz in Sunday's game against the Browns.

Henry (knee) remained listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Per Cox, Henry -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- was present for Thursday's session, but the tight end didn't end up taking a tangible step forward in terms of activity. Henry now has one more chance to get in some practice work before Sunday's game against the Broncos. If Henry is sidelined Week 16, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown would be in line for added snaps at tight end.

Mayer didn't practice Thursday due to a toe injury.

In the Raiders' 63-21 win over the Chargers last Thursday, Mayer caught four of his five targets for 39 yards and a touchdown. He may have sustained a toe injury at some point along the way, and his absence from practice to begin Week 16 prep now makes his status worth monitoring ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs. If Mayer ends up sitting out versus Kansas City, Austin Hooper would be the next man up for reps at tight end.

Cager (groin) did not practice Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Cager likely picked up the injury in the team's Week 15 loss to the Saints, although that hasn't been confirmed. The 26-year-old will still have Friday and Saturday to get back on the practice field with the Giants not playing until Monday against the Eagles.

Kincaid (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com previously noted that Kincaid sported a non-contact jersey during Thursday's practice, but the tight end will nonetheless be available to face Los Angeles. He was listed as a limited participant in all three of the Bills' practices this week, but Kincaid isn't expected to face any restrictions with his workload against the Chargers. In this past Sunday's 31-10 win over the Cowboys, Kincaid played 33 of the Bills' 68 snaps on offense and didn't catch either of his two targets, while fellow tight end Dawson Knox was on the field for 42 snaps. The Bills may have preferred to lean more heavily on the superior blocking tight end in Knox in Week 15 due to the effectiveness of the team's rushing attack, as Buffalo finished the day with 49 carries for 266 yards and three scores while quarterback Josh Allen attempted just 15 passes. The Buffalo offense has traditionally skewed more pass-heavy under Allen's watch, so Kincaid could be in store for a bounce-back performance in Week 16 after producing an excellent 61-495-2 receiving line on 72 targets through his first 12 NFL games.

Vannett (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's game against the Bills.

Vannett now seems to be dealing with a back issue that's put him in jeopardy of missing Los Angeles' Week 16 contest, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The 30-year-old has not been targeted despite playing 72 offensive snaps this season, and if he were to miss Saturday's affair, Stone Smartt would likely see increased work as a reserve option.