NFL Player News

Bellinger didn't practice Friday due to an illness, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Assuming the ailment isn't too significant, Bellinger could still return to the field Saturday for the Giants' final Week 14 practice, which would clear up any concern about his status heading into Monday's game against Green Bay. While Darren Waller (hamstring) has been sidelined for the Giants' last four games before the team's Week 13 bye, Bellinger had served as New York's top tight end and compiled a 9-123-0 receiving line on 10 targets. The Giants have yet to designate Waller for return from injured reserve as of Friday, so Bellinger will presumably be in store for another sizable snap count Monday if he can overcome the illness.

Jordan is expected to draw another start at tight end Sunday against the Jets with Dalton Schultz (hamstring) ruled out for a second consecutive game, Tyler Greenawalt of USA Today reports.

Jordan produced a season-high 64 receiving yards in last week's win over the Broncos, and with Schultz ruled out again, the third-year tight end will have a nice opportunity to build on that performance against the Jets. The Jets enter Week 14 tied with New Orleans for the most touchdowns allowed to tight ends this season (seven).

Schultz (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets.

After a limited practice session Wednesday, Schultz didn't practice either Thursday or Friday and will miss a second straight game this weekend. In his absence, Brevin Jordan is once again expected to serve as Houston's top pass-catching tight end Week 14. Schultz will target a potential return to action Dec. 17 against the Titans in Week 15.

Conklin (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Texans after logging a full practice Friday.

After being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Conklin upgraded to full participation Friday. He'll work as the top tight end for the Jets on Sunday against a Texans defense that has allowed a league-high 81 receptions to the position group.

Johnson (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Johnson was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday, suggesting he's relatively healthy compared to the Saints' other main pass catchers. In addition to Michael Thomas (knee) still being on injured reserve, the team has WR Chris Olave (illness), WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and TE Taysom Hill (foot/hand) all listed as questionable after closing out the week with either two or three consecutive missed practices. Of the bunch, Johnson and Olave seemingly have the best odds to play, though it could come down to a game-time decision in both cases ahead of the Saints' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Knox (wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Knox will need to be activated from injured reserve before Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in order to be eligible to play Sunday, but head coach Sean McDermott said earlier Friday that the tight end has a good chance of returning to action. He logged a third consecutive full practice Friday, putting him on a path to end his five-game absence prior to the Bills' Week 13 bye. If available Sunday, however, Knox may have to settle for a smaller role than he held prior to undergoing wrist surgery. Rookie Dalton Kincaid has produced a 31-281-2 receiving line over the Bills' last five games to make a case for a greater share of the snaps at tight end.

Higbee (neck) is doubtful for Sunday's game at Baltimore, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official website reports.

Higbee was forced out of last Sunday's win over the Browns and diagnosed with a neck stinger. He hasn't been practicing this week and is now likely to be replaced by some combination of Hunter Long, Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins at tight end. The best bet for playing time and targets would seem to be Long, who took 33 percent of snaps last week. Meanwhile, Allen played just two percent of snaps and Hopkins was a healthy inactive.

Sullivan (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints after logging a full practice Friday.

Sullivan followed the same practice schedule as safety Vonn Bell (shoulder), but while Bell was removed from the injury report entirely, Sullivan will carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game. If Sullivan suits up, he could see increased playing time with Hayden Hurst (concussion) ruled out and Tommy Tremble (hip) questionable.

Tremble (hip) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

The upgrade to full participation after limited practices Wednesday and Thursday suggests Tremble will return after missing one game. Hayden Hurst (concussion) has been ruled out for again, potentially leaving Tremble to handle upwards of three-fourths of Carolina's offensive snaps if he's not on the inactive list ahead of the Panthers' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday. Tremble hasn't seen many targets even when he's played a lot this year, but he does have three of Carolina's 11 receiving TDs among his 13 receptions.

Schultz (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

After logging a limited practice Wednesday, Schultz didn't practice Thursday, so his apparent absence from Friday's session is concerning. If the tight end is ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest against the Jets, Brevin Jordan would be in line to serve as Houston's top tight end for the second week in a row.