NFL Player News
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Brenton Strange TE | JAC
Jaguars' Brenton Strange: Questionable, but still on IR
Strange (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Arizona, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Unlike last week, when he was ruled out on the Jaguars' final injury report, Strange has a chance to return to action this weekend, but the team will need to activate him from IR by Saturday afternoon before not including him on its Week 12 list of inactives. Fellow TE Hunter Long (hip/knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest, so if Strange is able to suit up, he'll join Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt as options at the position.
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Hunter Long TE | JAC
Jaguars' Hunter Long: Won't play Sunday
Long (hip/knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Arizona, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Long will miss a third consecutive contest due to hip and knee injuries, but he has strung together five straight limited listings going back to last week, signaling that a return to action may be possible as soon as Sunday, Nov. 30 at Tennessee. Meanwhile, fellow TE Brenton Strange (hip) is listed as questionable, but he'll need to be activated from injured reserve by Saturday afternoon in order to have a chance to play Sunday. Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt currently are the healthy options at the position on the active roster.
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Isaiah Likely TE | NYG
Ravens' Isaiah Likely: Has green light to face Gang Green
Likely (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Likely increased his practice participation level throughout the week, culminating in a full practice Friday. He has had a disappointing season in a contract year, recording only 12 catches for 118 yards in seven appearances.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | WAS
Titans' Chig Okonkwo: Cleared to face Seahawks
Okonkwo (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Okonkwo was limited in all three of Seattle's practices during the week but has the green light to suit up Sunday. He has 119 receiving yards on 12 targets over the past four games, while rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm has 103 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets during that span. Both Titans tight ends could see substantial involvement Sunday with the team depleted at wide receiver against a Seahawks defense that's allowing a league-high 6.7 receptions per game to tight ends.
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Austin Hooper TE | ATL
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Cleared to face weak Bengals D
Hooper (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Hooper practiced without limitations Thursday and Friday after a limited session Wednesday, and he has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Hunter Henry remains New England's top pass catcher among tight ends. but Hooper could find success against a Bengals defense that has been by far the worst in the league at defending the position, allowing a league-high 80.8 receiving yards per game to tight ends, as well as 12 touchdowns to the position in 10 games.
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Mike Gesicki TE | CIN
Bengals' Mike Gesicki: Comes off IR
The Bengals activated Gesicki (pectoral) from injured reserve Friday.
Since injuring his pectoral Week 6 at Green Bay, Gesicki has missed the requisite four games on IR, and his ability to practice in full Wednesday and Thursday was enough for Cincinnati to bring him back to the active roster ahead of the weekend. He thus will be among the top TE options along with Noah Fant for whoever is helming the offense Sunday against the Patriots. Those options include Joe Burrow (toe, IR) and Joe Flacco (right shoulder).
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Cleared for Week 12
Njoku (knee) won't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday as he manages a knee issue, but the tight end's return to Friday's session paves the way for him to play versus Las Vegas this weekend. In the process, he'll remain a key target alongside fellow TE Harold Fannin, as well as WRs Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, in a Week 12 offense that will be helmed by Shedeur Sanders, who is making his first career regular-season start at QB with Dillon Gabriel (concussion) out.
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Thomas Fidone II TE | NYG
Giants' Thomas Fidone: Ruled out for Week 12
Fidone (foot) won't play Sunday against the Lions, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
Fidone has dealt with a foot injury throughout the season. The special teams contributor's next chance to play will come Dec. 1 at New England.
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David Njoku TE | CLE
Browns' David Njoku: Back at practice Friday
Njoku (knee) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so the tight end's return to the field Friday is a positive sign ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m ET game against the Raiders. The Browns' upcoming injury report will note both Njoku's official participation level Friday as well as his Week 12 game status.
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Sam LaPorta TE | DET
Lions' Sam LaPorta: Slim chance of return this season
LaPorta (back) has undergone surgery, and head coach Dan Campbell described LaPorta's chances of returning this season as "very, very slim" Friday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
LaPorta was placed on injured reserve Nov. 15. His earliest possible return date is Dec. 14, but Campbell's update suggests LaPorta will be out well beyond that point, most likely missing the remainder of the season. Campbell didn't completely shut the door on LaPorta returning, so the star tight end might make it back if the Lions put together a deep playoff run. Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley are the two remaining healthy options at the position on the active roster.