NFL Player News

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.

Everett (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Everett was inactive for this past Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but his ability to practice Wednesday -- albeit in a limited fashion -- suggests that he has a chance to return to action this weekend against the Cardinals. In his absence last week, Tre' McKitty, Richard Rodgers and Stone Smartt served as the Chargers' tight end, but no members of the trio possess Everett's pass-catching upside.

Long (concussion) logged a full practice session Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Long landed in the NFL's concussion protocol Nov. 9 following Miami's Week 9 win over Chicago. He was unable to return for the team's Week 10 win against Cleveland but had some time to recover during the Dolphins' Week 11 bye. It appears that Long has a good chance of suiting up Sunday against Houston, though his potential return won't make much of an impact in fantasy, as he's het to receive a target or record any counting stats so far this season.

Thomas (rib) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

He was listed with the same rib injury last week and ended up catching five of six targets for 65 yards in a win over the Texans. Production like that hasn't been the norm for Thomas this season, but he could have more useful weeks ahead as he's further removed from the ACL tear he suffered last year and the calf injury that cost him three weeks earlier this season. The Commanders host the Falcons in Week 12.

Everett (groin) is expected to practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Everett missed Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs, but the tight end's ability to practice Wednesday bodes well for his chances of suiting up this weekend against the Cardinals. In his absence Week 11, Tre' McKitty, Richard Rodgers and Stone Smartt handled the Chargers' tight-end snaps, but Smartt was the only one to log a target.

Njoku won't practice Wednesday due to ankle and knee injuries, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

In his return from a two-game absence due to an ankle sprain this past Sunday against the Bills, Njoku logged 28 of a possible 75 snaps on offense en route to catching two of his three targets for 17 yards. The Browns haven't indicated whether the tight end's absence Wednesday is maintenance-related or indicative of a setback, but his practice activity Thursday should shed more light on his status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that Pitts will require surgery to address his right knee injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Smith said that a recovery timetable for Pitts, who was placed on injured reserve Monday, won't be known until after surgery is completed. The Falcons haven't offered details on the extent of Pitts' injury, but multiple reports have suggested that the 2021 first-round pick is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Pitts will need to miss a minimum of four games due to his placement on IR, but pending an update from Atlanta after his procedure, it remains to be seen whether the tight end will be able to return this season.

Likely caught one of three targets for one yard in Sunday's 13-3 win over the Panthers.

Likely reverted to his backup tight end duties Sunday, with Mark Andrews returning from a one game absence due to shoulder and knee injuries. The rookie played 22 of the Ravens' 69 offensive snaps while Andrews played 64 snaps. Barring another injury to Andrews, Likely seems unlikely to see enough usage to be a consistent fantasy asset. The 22-year-old can be left out of most lineups when the Ravens visit the Jaguars in Week 12.

The Giants signed Cager off their practice squad Tuesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

The Giants have used the maximum allotment of three elevations from the practice squad on Cager, meaning a move to the active roster was required for him to be available moving forward. With Daniel Bellinger (eye) sidelined, Cager has been New York's primary tight end the last two contests, earning at least 66 percent of the snaps per game and combined for a 4-29-1 line on five targets. Expect Cager to continue getting most of the TE snaps between him, Tanner Hudson and Chris Myarick on Thursday at Dallas.