NFL Player News

Higbee secured all three targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 42-26 win against the 49ers.

If you could stitch together all the tight ends for the Rams into one amalgamation of a tight end, their stat line would be quite respectable. In this week's contest against San Francisco, for example, they would've put up a 10-114-2 line on 14 targets. That line is split into four from week to week, however, making it nearly impossible to rely on any one individual Rams tight end for fantasy purposes. Higbee has seen at least three targets in each of his last five games but hasn't recorded more than 40 yards in any game this season, making him touchdown dependent in order to have a relevant outcome for fantasy. The Seahawks are up next in a divisional showdown Week 11, and they did just allow Trey McBride to put up a 9-127-1 line against them, albeit in a blowout.

Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that he doesn't expect Godwin (fibula) to play next Sunday against the Bills, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Godwin has yet to return to practice and has missed four straight games. He's looking at missing a fifth consecutive contest versus Buffalo. With Mike Evans (collarbone) also shelved, the Bucs will continue to roll with Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard at wide receiver versus Buffalo.

Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that he doesn't expect Irving (shoulder/foot) to play Week 11 against the Bills, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bowles indicated that Irving's shoulder is what's holding him back right now, saying Monday that Irving has to be able to take a hit to the shoulder before he returns to game action. It sounds as if the Bucs again will lean on the tandem of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker next Sunday versus Buffalo's subpar run defense. Fantasy players need to plan for yet another Irving absence, and it would mark his sixth consecutive missed contest if he's ultimately unable to play against the Bills.

Whittington didn't record a target during Sunday's 42-26 victory against the 49ers.

Whittington was on the field for a season-low seven snaps on offense, which may have been partially due to a back injury that held him out of practice for part of the week. Fellow backups Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield played nearly the same amount of time as starters Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (oblique). With Nacua and Adams still dominating the attention of Matthew Stafford on Sunday while generating a combined 11-141-2 stat line, it's difficult to rely on any other receiver for the Rams when the star duo is healthy. A game with massive ramifications for the NFC West is up next on the docket, as the Rams host the Seahawks in Week 11.

Hockenson had two receptions for eight yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to Baltimore.

Hockenson hasn't had much action with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback as he's had just 12 targets in his four games behind center. He's not blocking more with Josh Oliver sidelined (foot) as he went out on a route on 44 of his 58 snaps on offense, so there's some hope for an increase in receptions.

The Bengals announced Monday that Burrow (toe) has been designated for a return from IR and will practice in a limited capacity.

Burrow now kicks off a 21-day window wherein his can practice without counting against the 53-man roster, allowing him to begin ramping up his activity level with the target of making a return to the lineup in December. The franchise quarterback is recovering from surgery undergone Sept. 21 to address a Grade 3 turf toe injury. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network have confirmed that December remains the Bengals' tentative target for Burrow to retake the field, but it's encouraging to see him already ready to handle limited practice reps. Joe Flacco will continue operating as Cincinnati's starting quarterback until such time as Burrow gains full clearance, including Sunday on the road against Pittsburgh.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Stewart will require season-ending surgery to address the left quadriceps injury he sustained in Sunday's 36-29 win over the Jaguars, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

The eight-year veteran took over as a starting safety for Houston in Week 4 following the release of C.J. Gardner-Johnson in September. In nine appearances on the season, Stewart tallied 25 tackles, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

Washington secured his lone target for 15 yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Washington had one of his best performances of the season against the Colts in Week 9, securing four of six targets for 43 yards in the win. However, he was held in check during the Steelers' primetime matchup in Week 10, and he also ranked last among the team's tight ends in playing time, as he was on the field for 48 percent of the offensive snaps. Washington has shown glimpses of production this season, but he remains an unreliable fantasy option as part of a crowded group of tight ends in Pittsburgh.

Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Irving's shoulder injury is what's keeping him sidelined, and he has to be able to take a hit before being cleared to return to game action, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

It sounds like Irving may be past the foot issue, though the team has continued to list both injuries on weekly practice reports. Bowles added that it's too soon to know if Irving will be able to play Week 11 against the Bills. Irving has missed the past five contests after being injured Week 4. As long as Irving remains sidelined, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will continue to handle backfield duties for Tampa Bay.

Burks secured all three of his targets for 58 yards during Sunday's 44-22 loss to Detroit.

Burks led Washington in terms of receiving yards against Detroit with Marcus Mariota under center and Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) sidelined, though he was outpaced by both Deebo Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz in terms of targets. As Burks was signed to the active roster in advance of Sunday's contest, he'll get another chance to contribute on offense as the Commanders travel to Madrid in Week 11 to take on the Dolphins. If McLaurin is unavailable again versus Miami, Burks could be considered as an emergency pivot option at wide receiver in deeper fantasy formats.