NFL Player News

Covey (shoulder) has not been designated to return to practice from the injured reserve list after Week 11, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Covey has missed the Eagles' last seven games due to a broken shoulder he suffered in Week 3 at New Orleans, and it appears he'll probably have to sit out at least one more as Week 12 approaches. It also looks like he may have a slightly different role awaiting him when he returns, as special teams coordinator Michael Clay said Tuesday that rookie second-rounder Cooper DeJean would retain a spot in Philadelphia's punt-return unit even after Covey becomes available again.

Thielen (hamstring) said Monday that he anticipates being ready to play Sunday against Kansas City, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports. "I mean, obviously a lot of days from now until the game, but encouraged with how [Monday's workout] went," Thielen said. "But still have to gain some ground to feel really good about playing on Sunday, but definitely encouraged, took full advantage of the week and excited to at least be back out there moving around and being with my team."

Head coach Dave Canales echoed the notion that Thielen is expected to be back in action Sunday. Though the veteran wideout was reinstated from injured reserve when his 21-day evaluation window came to an end last Tuesday, he was listed as a non-participant in the Panthers' most recent three practice sessions prior to the team's Week 11 bye. Thielen didn't appear to be doing much work on the field during Monday's unofficial practice session, but he's apparently confident about the progress he's made in his recovery from his right hamstring injury. Thielen produced an 8-109-1 receiving line on 12 targets through Carolina's first three games prior to landing on IR, and he should have an opportunity to serve as the team's No. 1 pass catcher down the stretch with Diontae Johnson now a Raven.

Palmer caught two of his four targets for 23 yards in the 34-27 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

It appears as if both Ladd McConkey (6-9-123) and Quentin Johnston (six touchdowns this season) have surpassed Palmer, who was once presumed to be the team's defacto No. 1 to begin the year. The 2021 third-round pick has yet to surpass more than five targets in a game, but he's at least seen four or more targets in all but three contests this season. That low volume could change next week as the Chargers try to keep pace with the Ravens.

Hutchinson was not targeted while playing 28 snaps in Monday's 34-10 win over the Cowboys.

Nico Collins' return to duty had its most significant impact on Hutchinson's workload. The second-year wideout played 67 percent of the offensive snaps while Collins was out the last five weeks, but that dropped to 44 percent (28 snaps) Monday. He also went untargeted for the first time in seven games. For now, John Metchie has emerged as the No. 3 wideout behind Collins and Tank Dell.

Metchie caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Monday's 34-10 win over Dallas.

Metchie's recent workload increase receded due to the return of Nico Collins, who missed five weeks due to a hamstring injury. Metchie appears to have used Collins' absence to win the No. 3 receiver role, slotting behind Collins and Tank Dell. Metchie (39 snaps) was on the field more than Xavier Hutchinson (28) or Robert Woods (20) and has 11 receptions on 15 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown over the last four weeks. Metchie's playing time could take a hit in the coming weeks when the Texans feel comfortable giving Collins more than the 30 snaps he had Monday.

Woods caught both of his targets for 13 yards in Monday's 34-10 win over the Cowboys. He also returned one kickoff for 21 yards.

Woods continued to fill a depth role which affords him a couple of targets per game, although his snap count took a slight hit due to the return of Nico Collins. Since injuries to Houston wideouts started popping up in Week 6, Woods has seen an uptick in activity, although not a enough of a bump to spark fantasy interest. After missing two games himself as part of the injury wave, Woods has seven receptions on 10 targets for 76 yards while averaging 38 percent of the offensive snaps over the last four games.

Tolbert finished with two receptions (on five targets) for 21 yards in Monday's 34-10 loss to the Texans.

Tolbert's recent struggles with backup quarterback Cooper Rush under center continued for the second week in a row. The Cowboys' No. 2 option behind CeeDee Lamb (8-93-0) finished with totals even deep-league managers would cringe at over a two-week period. If someone walks through the doors of AT&T Stadium who can resuscitate Dallas' offense sans Dak Prescott (hamstring), then we could recommend Tolbert as a strong play Week 12. Until then, the talented receiver's floor will remain low.

Lamb (back) corralled eight of 12 targets for 93 yards while adding 13 rushing yards off of one attempt in Monday's blowout loss to the Texans.

The Cowboys were overwhelmed in an interstate battle on Monday Night Football, but Lamb -- who was questionable with a back injury coming into this contest -- put his pads on and carried the offense to a competitive first half. The prototypical WR1 looked the part when he gained 106 total yards on nine touches with little help surrounding him on the roster. This is a textbook example of why you stick with your star players until forced to do otherwise. With double-digit targets over his last five games, Lamb should continue to be peppered with passes as the Cowboys prepare to face a pair of division opponents. First up is a road tilt against the Commanders next Sunday before returning to Dallas to face the Giants on Thanksgiving afternoon in Week 13.

Dell brought in four of seven targets for 54 yards in the Texans' 34-10 win over the Cowboys on Monday night. He also rushed once for four yards.

Dell and the returning Nico Collins tied for the team lead in receiving yards and targets -- the latter with Dalton Schultz -- while checking in second in receptions. The second-year wideout now has at least four catches in four consecutive games, but he's only exceeded 50 receiving yards in two of those contests. However, Dell should continue benefiting from the defensive attention teams are forced to bestow on Collins when Houston hosts the Titans in Week 12.

Collins (hamstring) brought in four of seven targets for 54 yards in the Texans' 34-10 win over the Cowboys on Monday night.

Collins and Tank Dell posted matching team-high receiving yardage totals while also tying for the lead in targets with Dalton Schultz. It was a solid return to action for Collins following a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury, and his numbers were serviceable within the context of a night where C.J. Stroud wasn't pressed to do an inordinate amount through the air. A similar scenario could actually be in store Week 12, however, as the reeling Titans pay a visit to Collins and the Texans.