NFL Player News

Wright (neck) did not practice Monday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Wright missed last Thursday's loss to the Packers, and it sounds like he could miss an extended period of time due to a tracheal injury. With both Sam LaPorta (back) and Wright sidelined against Green Bay, Ross Dwelley played 75 percent of the snaps, while Anthony Firkser was in on 24 percent of the downs. Neither made an impact in the box score, combining for a 2-7-0 line on four targets.

Ferguson failed to secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.

Colby Parkinson has taken on the role of top tight end for the Rams in the absence of Tyler Higbee (ankle), and he again led the position group in all statistical categories, while Ferguson and Davis Allen (one target) were held without a catch. Until Ferguson shows consistent usage and more reliable targeting from Matthew Stafford, the second-round rookie remains difficult to trust in fantasy lineups with a divisional showdown in Arizona up next on the docket in Week 14.

Allen secured his only target for four yards during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.

In the absence of Tyler Higbee (ankle), Colby Parkinson has been the main beneficiary, and on Sunday he once again led all Rams tight ends in snap count, targets, receptions and yards. Neither Allen nor Terrance Ferguson (two targets) were a factor on offense, and Parkinson looks to retain his role as the team's top tight end while Higbee is on injured reserve. The Cardinals are up next in a divisional showdown in Week 14, and Davis will continue to be touchdown-dependent to be a fantasy contributor.

Arroyo didn't haul in either of his two targets in Sunday's 26-0 win over the Vikings.

Arroyo continues to run behind second-year tight end AJ Barner, as the former recorded a 39 percent snap share in the blowout win. We've seen some flashes from the rookie tight end, but he won't be a dependable fantasy option moving forward barring an injury to Barner.

Zylstra (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The Minnesota State product has missed the Lions' last 10 games after sustaining an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Bears. Detroit now has 21 days to add Zylstra to its active roster before he reverts to IR. Once fully healthy, Zylstra is expected to play a depth role in the Lions' tight-end corps.

Freiermuth wasn't targeted during Sunday's 26-7 loss to Buffalo.

Freiermuth played just 40 percent of the team's offensive snaps Sunday, which ranked third among the team's tight ends. Although he had recorded double-digit receiving yards in each of his last seven appearances, he was held without a target for just the second time this season in Sunday's Week 13 loss. Across 12 games this season, Freiermuth has secured 26 of 32 targets for 298 yards and four touchdowns.

Bates caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday night's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos.

Even with Zach Ertz's monster performance (10-106-0), Bates was still involved in the Commanders' passing attack during Sunday night's loss. The Boise State product has appeared in 10 games this season, catching eight of 12 targets for 71 yards. He's likely to remain a minimal component of Washington's offensive game plan in the Week 14 matchup against the Vikings.

Smith secured one of two targets for six yards during Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Bills.

Smith was on the field for 53 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps Sunday, which ranked second among the team's tight ends, as Darnell Washington played 79 percent, while Pat Freiermuth played 40 percent. However, Smith's work in the passing game remained limited, and he's now secured five of nine targets for just 31 yards while rushing twice for seven yards across his last four appearances.

Higgins caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers.

Higgins recorded the sixth-most receiving yards on the Cardinals during Sunday's loss after going without a target in the Week 12 loss to the Jaguars. The third-year pro from Stanford has now caught 18 of 22 targets for 179 yards through Arizona's first 12 games this season, and he's likely to remain a minimal portion of the team's passing attack in the Week 14 matchup against the Rams.

Stover caught both of his targets for 16 yards and had four carries for three yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Colts in Week 13.

In addition to Stover's day job as the backup tight end to Dalton Schultz, the Texans gave him a side hustle as a short-yardage specialist in the running attack. All four of his carries were on 3rd- or 4th-and-one situations, including three inside the red zone. The first two worked, but Indianapolis stopped Stover on successive tries in the fourth quarter. It was a curious decision by the coaching staff to run Stover on 4th-and-one at the Colts' 17-yard line after it didn't work on third down. At the time, Houston was leading, 20-16, and the turnover on downs left the Texans vulnerable to a loss had Indianapolis been able to drive for a touchdown. That Houston added this package for Stover and used it in the red zone slightly enhances the backup tight end's value heading into a Week 14 trip to Kansas City.