NFL Player News

Wright (ankle) practiced in full Thursday.

Wright was limited during Wednesday's walkthrough session, but he's now ready to rock for Week 12. He drew seven targets (two catches) during Detroit's loss to Philadelphia in Week 11 and will get another chance to start at tight end Sunday versus the Giants with Sam LaPorta (back) still on IR.

Njoku (knee) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku will miss a second consecutive practice to begin Week 12 preparations, putting him on the wrong trajectory for Sunday's road matchup against the Raiders, which will be rookie Shadeur Sander's first start under center. Unless Njoku is able to significantly upgrade his activity level at Friday's practice, it looks like he'll be sidelined Sunday, paving the way for Harold Fannin to see an uptick in opportunities as Cleveland's top tight end.

Stoll (ankle) logged a full practice Wednesday.

Stoll missed the Saints' Week 10 matchup against the Panthers with an ankle injury. He got additional rest over the team's bye and appears ready to return in Week 12 against the Falcons.

Okonkwo (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Okonkwo continues to manage a foot issue that limited him at practice last week, but the tight end approached Week 11 action without an injury designation before catching all three of his targets for 56 yards in this past Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Texans. With no reported setbacks in the contest, Okonkwo's listed limitations Wednesday are likely maintenance-related.

The Rams are placing Higbee (ankle) on injured reserve, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Higbee will miss at least four games, with his earliest possible date for a return being Thursday, Dec. 18, at Seattle (Week 16). His absence should lead to more playing time for the other members of the Rams' TE committee, namely Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson, though Davis Allen could take on some extra snaps as well.

Strange (hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

The Jaguars opened Strange's 21-day practice window last week, with the tight end then logging limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday before resting Friday. He was ruled out for Sunday's eventual win over the Chargers, but he could make a real run at playing this coming Sunday against the Cardinals. With Hunter Long (hip) also banged up, Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt shared TE snaps during the win over Los Angeles.

Long (hip/knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Long has missed back-to-back games due to a pair of injuries, but this marks his third consecutive limited practice session dating back to Week 11. That bodes well for Long's chances of being able to retake the field for Sunday's road matchup against the Cardinals. That said, if Brenton Strange (hip) is brought off IR in time to play Week 12, Long will stand to revert to the No. 2 role at tight end even if healthy.

Likely (calf) did not practice Wednesday.

Likely appears to have picked up a new calf injury during Baltimore's win over the Browns in Week 11, in which he secured two of three targets for 15 yards. He'll have two more opportunities to get back on the practice field before Sunday's game against the Jets. If Likely misses any time, top tight end Mark Andrews will figure to see a slight uptick in receiving opportunities.

Hooper (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

After missing the Patriots' Week 11 win over the Jets while working his way through the concussion protocol, Hooper's return to practice as a limited participant represents a tangible step in the right direction. The tight end will need to upgrade to full participation Thursday and/or Friday and receive clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Bengals, however. If available Sunday, Hooper will resume working as the top backup to Hunter Henry.

Gesicki (pectoral) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The Bengals opened Gesicki's practice window Wednesday, with full participation suggesting he has a chance to be activated from injured reserve before Sunday's game against New England. The Bengals have used a committee at tight end all season, but there may not be room for Tanner Hudson once Gesicki is ready to play.