NFL Player News

Njoku (ankle/knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Even though Njoku wasn't a full practice participant at any point this week, the Browns apparently saw enough from him to conclude that neither his knee nor ankle issue would keep him off the field Sunday. That being said, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram on Friday that he was undecided if Njoku would see a major increase in his workload after the tight end played just 25 snaps (37 percent) in the Week 11 loss to Buffalo as he made his return from a two-game absence due to a left high-ankle sprain. If Njoku's snap count remains limited to some degree once again, Harrison Bryant -- who logged seven targets and a 75 percent snap share Week 11 -- may be able to maintain a prominent role at tight end.

Likely is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars with an ankle injury.

Likely appears to have suffered the injury in practice Friday, when he was listed as a limited participant after having not been included on the injury report Wednesday and Thursday. Even if the rookie tight end suits up this weekend, he's unlikely to play a major role barring an injury to starter Mark Andrews.

Thomas, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta, is dealing with an illness in addition to a rib injury, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Thomas was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday. HIs absence Friday was due to the ailment and not a setback with the rib injury, with head coach Ron Rivera saying after practice that he expects Thomas to play Sunday against the Falcons. If not, the Commanders will be left with John Bates and Cole Turner as their top tight ends ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Sullivan (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Sullivan practiced without limitations Wednesday and Thursday before coming down with an illness and missing practice Friday. There seems to be a bug going around in Carolina's tight end room, as Ian Thomas is also questionable due to an illness, leaving Tommy Tremble as the team's only healthy tight end heading into the weekend.

Thomas (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Thomas was unable to practice Thursday or Friday. If he doesn't feel better by Sunday, Thomas will likely cede the starting role at tight end to Tommy Tremble. Fellow tight end Stephen Sullivan is also questionable due to an illness.

Ricci (neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Ricci was unable to practice at all throughout the week. The fullback is likely to miss a second consecutive game after getting injured in Week 10 against the Falcons.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Higbee (knee) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams appear content to wait and see how Higbee progresses from the knee injury through the weekend before a formal decision on his status is made when the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Higbee appeared on the Rams' injury report with the knee issue after he recorded four receptions for 45 yards on eight targets in last Sunday's loss to the Saints. He didn't practice Wednesday and was then estimated as a limited participant on Thursday's report, but it's unclear if he's healthy enough to fill his usual role as the Rams' top tight end. Even if Higbee is good to go this weekend, he won't have the luxury of working with Matthew Stafford (concussion/neck), who has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest. The Rams are likely to turn to third-stringer Bryce Perkins to direct their offense, after he took the majority of the first-team reps in practice this week while Stafford was sidelined and while No. 2 quarterback John Wolford (neck) was limited.

Mitchell caught one pass on one target for 22 yards during Thursday's loss to the Bills.

Mitchell continued to hover around a quarter of the offensive snaps, and his only production came on a broken play in which quarterback Jared Goff was able to set up Mitchell for a decent catch-and-run opportunity. Otherwise, Mitchell was a complete afterthought in the passing game as Goff largely looked to his wideouts plus D'Andre Swift all day. Expect more of the same for the fifth-round rookie in Week 13 against Jacksonville.

Wright caught two of three targets for six yards during Thursday's 28-25 loss to the Bills.

Detroit is still not running much of its passing game through the tight ends in the wake of T.J. Hockenson's trade to Minnesota. Without much of an athletic profile to fall back on, Wright will be remain a zero-floor, low-upside fantasy option Week 13 against Jacksonville.

Knox caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 28-25 win over Detroit.

After leading the team in catches and receiving yards during Week 11, Knox wasn't nearly as involved four days later. The 26-year-old tight end has flashed talent, but he's having trouble carving out a consistent role in a Bills offense with plenty of other weapons. Knox has topped 50 yards only twice this season while finding the end zone just twice after scoring nine touchdowns in his breakout 2021 campaign.