NFL Player News

Thomas (rib) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Thomas has been listed with a rib injury for almost a month now and also dealt with an illness last week. He's caught only eight of 16 targets for 84 yards in five games since returning from a three-game absence due to a calf injury, but the Commanders have stuck with him as their top receiving tight end all the same, using Thomas on more than two-thirds of snaps in four straight games.

Smith logged 17 of a possible 54 snaps on offense in Thursday's 24-10 loss to the Bills en route to catching both of his targets for six yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Smith, who was out-snapped by fellow tight end Hunter Henry (47 to 17) Thursday, is averaging two catches for 18.2 yards through 11 games thus far. Given that he hasn't scored a TD in that span while working in a time-share with Henry, Smith heads into the Patriots' stretch run with modest fantasy upside.

Henry was on the field for 47 of a possible 54 snaps on offense in Thursday's 24-10 loss to the Bills en route to catching two of his five targets for 13 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Jonnu Smith logged 17 snaps while catching both of his targets for six yards. Through 12 games, Henry has recorded 25 catches on 39 targets for 336 yards, but has only scored two TDs to date after finding the end zone a career high nine times in 17 contests last season. As long as he operates in a time-share with Smith, the 2016 second-rounder will remain a hit-or-miss fantasy option down the stretch.

Morris (illness) has been ruled inactive for Thursday's game against the Patriots.

Morris did not participate in Buffalo's practices Sunday and Tuesday due to an illness before returning in full Wednesday. However, he still appears to be dealing with the effects of this ailment, and he will now miss his first game since Week 1 as a result. With Morris sidelined, Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney will serve as the Bills' only available tight ends versus New England.

Yeboah (calf) was a full participant in the Jets' practice Thursday, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

Yeboah has been sidelined for the past two games with a calf injury, and he returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday. The 24-year-old now appears set to play again after logging a full session Thursday. Yeboah was elevated from the practice squad for three games before signing with the Jets' active roster in early November, though he's primarily played on special teams over four contests this season. Expect Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah to continue seeing the majority of the team's snaps at tight end versus Minnesota on Sunday.

Likely (ankle) returned to a full practice Thursday.

The 2022 fourth-rounder was limited Wednesday, but Likely's return to a full practice Thursday puts him in line to suit up Sunday against the Broncos. However, as long as Baltimore's star tight end Mark Andrews is healthy and available, Likely will profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

Johnson didn't practice Thursday due to an ankle injury, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was idle for the Saints' first Week 13 practice after he played 24 snaps on offense (45 percent share) while failing to reel in either of his targets in this past Sunday's 13-0 loss to the 49ers. The knee issue may explain why Johnson handled his lowest snap share of the season, and the injury at least temporarily puts his status into question for Monday's game at Tampa Bay. Adam Trautman is the next man up for reps at tight end if Johnson is unable to play this week.

Bellinger (eye) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Bellinger has been in recovery mode since suffering a fractured left eye socket Week 7. He resumed catching passes during Week 11 prep, which continued into last week. The rookie fourth-rounder then logged his first practice since sustaining the injury Wednesday, participating in a limited capacity. Bellinger would have maintained that activity level one day later if the Giants had held a session, but he at least appears to be putting himself in a position to return to action Sunday versus the Commanders. Friday's report could give the final word on that front, but if Bellinger doesn't suit up this weekend, Lawrence Cager again would be in line for an expanded role at tight end.

Thomas (rib) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas' rib injury has followed him for three weeks in a row, but he's been able to play through it both of the last two games, combining for six catches (on nine targets) for 72 yards while playing 69 percent of the Commanders' snaps. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not the tight end enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at the Giants.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Back-to-back missed sessions cloud Njoku's status for Sunday's game against the Texans, but the tight end has one more chance to practice ahead of the contest. If, however, Njoku is out or limited this weekend, Harrison Bryant and Pharaoh Brown would be in line for added snaps Week 13.