NFL Player News

Hill was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a back issue.

The injury is a new one for the versatile 32-year-old, who took a season-high 14 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown in this past Sunday's 20-10 upset win over the Eagles. In Sunday's matchup with the Saints, both teams are expected to adopt a run-heavy approach with Hill serving as the de facto No. 2 option on the ground for New Orleans if he's able to play through the back injury.

Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury.

Since the Saints' Week 14 bye, Johnson has sandwiched 60-plus-yard efforts around a nine-yard Week 16, totaling 10 catches (on 15 targets) for 138 yards and two touchdowns over that three-game stretch. Now with a quad injury in tow, his status will be monitored as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday versus the Panthers.

Mabry was signed to the Seahawks' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Mabry was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets, and he ended up reeling in the first catch of his NFL career, a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The 26-year-old once again will provide an additional depth option behind Noah Fant at tight end in Week 18 with Will Dissly (knee) unavailable for the final contest of the regular season. If Seattle is able to sneak into the postseason, Mabry could find himself a part of the active roster past this weekend.

Thomas caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers.

Thomas was a non-factor in the contest while playing 36 of the Panthers' 66 offensive snaps. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble played two more snaps than Thomas and was more productive, catching all three of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown. In a near-even split of playing time with Tremble, Thomas offers little in the way of fantasy production. The 26-year-old will look to make the most of his limited opportunities on offense in a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

Otton caught two of six targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.

Otton played 68 of the Buccaneers' 78 offensive snaps Sunday, the most of any Tampa Bay pass catcher. Despite seeing the field for all but 10 snaps, the rookie tight end failed to produce a fantasy-friendly line. Assuming his steady usage continues, Otton will look to have a bounce-back performance Week 18, when the Buccaneers visit the Falcons to close out the regular season.

Alie-Cox failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Giants.

Alie-Cox was a complete nonfactor Sunday while playing 31 of the Colts' 58 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, rookie tight end Jelani Woods was on the field for 35 snaps and saw four targets. The veteran continues to see his opportunities shrink with the emergence of Woods on offense. Despite his limited usage, Alie-Cox will look to bounce back when the Colts host the Texans in Week 18.

Saubert caught all three of his targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Chiefs.

Saubert operated as Denver's No. 2 tight end Sunday behind Albert Okwuegbunam. The 28-year-old played 24 of the Broncos' 70 offensive snaps, while Okwuegbunam played 37 snaps. In 16 games played this season, Saubert has caught 15 of 24 targets for 148 yards, all of which are career-highs. The 6-foot-5, 253-pounder should remain far off the fantasy radar ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Chargers.

The Packers signed Allen to their practice squad Tuesday, per the team's official site.

Following Tuesday's transaction, the 6-foot-9, 255-pounder will now serve as an emergency depth option to Green Bay's tight end corps. Allen, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Nebraska, last played for the Giants' practice squad before being let go in October.

Parham caught his only target for a three-yard touchdown in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Rams.

Sunday marked the first touchdown for Parham this season. It's been a bit surprising to see the 6-foot-8 behemoth not used more in the red zone, but that's likely a credit to the sheer dominance of running back Austin Ekeler, who tallied another red-zone score in the aforementioned win. Parham once again saw 20-plus offensive snaps, marking the third straight week the tight end saw a relevant role since his return from injured reserve.

Mabry reverted to the Seahawks' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Mabry received an opportunity with the active roster for Sunday's game against the Jets, after Will Dissly (knee) was placed on IR. The 26-year-old made the most of his opportunity, catching his only target for a seven-yard touchdown. Both the catch and touchdown were the first of his career. He'll likely have an opportunity to suit up Sunday against the Rams as well.