NFL Player News

Thomas (ribs) was listed as limited on Tuesday's practice estimate.

Last week, Thomas kicked it off with back-to-back capped sessions, but a full listing Friday cleared him of a designation ahead of this past Sunday's win at Houston. This time around, he's followed a similar regimen through two practice reports, meaning Friday's version may do the same for a Week 12 matchup with the Falcons.

Woods (shoulder) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's walkthrough.

Woods, who last saw game action Week 9, is trending toward a return to action Monday night against the Steelers, but as long as both Kylen Granson (illness) and Mo Alie-Cox are available, the 2022 third-rounder is a speculative fantasy lineup option. In nine games thus far this season, Woods has compiled a 7-79-3 receiving line.

Granson (illness) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's walkthrough.

The tight end now has two more chances to return to practice before the Colts' final injury report is submitted ahead of Monday night's game against the Steelers. Through 11 contests, Granson -- who caught his only target for 16 yards in last Sunday's loss to the Eagles -- has gathered in 25 of his 32 targets for 249 yards, but he's been a hit-or-miss option of late while working in a tight end timeshare with Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods.

Tonyan sat out Thursday's practice due to an illness, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Tonyan practiced fully Wednesday, so the tight end's addition to the Packers' injury report Thursday makes his status worth tracking ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles. If Tonyan is unable to play this weekend, added passing targets would be available for some combination of Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis and Tyler Davis.

Njoku (ankle/knee) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After logging a DNP on Wednesday, Njoku's upgrade Thursday bodes well for his chances of being available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Unless the tight end manages a full practice Friday, however, he figures to head into the weekend with a Week 12 injury designation.

Higbee (knee) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

One day removed from sitting out due to a knee issue, Higbee got in some work Thursday in what was termed a jog-through. Friday's practice report could clear up his status for Sunday's game in Kansas City entirely, but if not a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff won't leave many viable tight ends to turn to. Currently, Brycen Hopkins is the only other player at the position on the Rams' active roster.

Thomas (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report.

Thomas was a new addition to the team's injury report Thursday. If he is unable to recover from his illness in time to play Sunday against the Broncos, Tommy Tremble will take back over the No. 1 tight end role, while Stephen Sullivan will likely be looking at an uptick in work.

The Saints signed Holtz to their practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Holtz had seen action in each of New Orleans' contests since Week 4 before he was waived Saturday. He'll now return to the organization as a member of the team's practice squad. Holtz has been a non-factor as a pass catcher throughout most of his NFL career -- he's played in 35 games over the past three campaigns but has seen only one target and hasn't recorded a catch.

Higbee didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee issue, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee is one of the few Rams' skill-position players to have avoided the injury bug this season, ranging between 71 and 97 percent of the snaps through 10 games. This past Sunday at New Orleans, he rang in at 92 percent on his way to four catches (on eight targets) for 45 yards. Now with a health concern in tow, his status will be one to monitor as the week goes on. If he's able to suit up for Sunday's contest at Kansas City, Higbee won't be working with Matthew Stafford (concussion/neck). Instead, third-stringer Bryce Perkins likely will be under center, as he's slated to get the bulk of the first-team reps this week while No. 2 quarterback John Wolford works his way back from a stiff neck.

The Chiefs signed Blanton to their practice squad Wednesday.

Blanton was cut by the Rams on Tuesday, but it didn't take long for him to find a home with a new organization. The fourth-year tight end played in four contests with Los Angeles prior to being let go, catching both of his targets for 35 yards. Kansas City currently has three healthy tight ends, so it would likely take an injury or two for Blanton to have any sort of significant role on the active roster.