NFL Player News

Freiermuth (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Freiermuth remains in the league's concussion protocol after exiting Sunday's win over the Titans, and he was unable to practice for a second straight day. If he's unavailable for Sunday's Week 16 matchup against Kansas City, Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader would be in line for additional work.

Mundt (knee) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and returned to injured reserve.

The tight end entered COVID protocols Dec. 15 before being reinstated Thursday. Mundt will still remain on IR for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in mid-October.

The Saints aren't planning on having Hill available for Monday's game against the Dolphins after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

New Orleans is expected to formally move Hill to the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday along with top backup Trevor Siemian, who also tested positive for the virus. Though both Hill and Siemian, if vaccinated, could theoretically clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocols in advance of Monday, the Saints are seemingly preparing as though neither quarterback will be available. Ian Book is slated to take all the first-team reps in practices Thursday through Saturday as he prepares to make his NFL debut in a starting role. Like Hill, Book boasts above-average running ability, which could help the offense maintain some continuity as it makes room for its fourth different starting quarterback of the season.

Wells was signed to the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday after clearing waivers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end was cut by the Cardinals on Tuesday but cleared waivers and returned to the team's practice squad Thursday. Wells has only appeared in one game this season and will remain buried under the likes of Zach Ertz, Demetrius Harris and Darrell Daniels on the depth chart.

The Saints plan to place Hill on the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday and aren't planning on him being available for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Meanwhile, Jeff Duncan of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported earlier Thursday that Hill's top backup, Trevor Siemian, tested positive for the virus and is also likely to be placed on the list. Neither Hill nor Siemian is expected to clear the necessary protocols in advance of Monday's game, though in Hill's case, it's not yet known whether he tested positive or was deemed an unvaccinated close contact of an infected person. In any case, Ian Book will take the first-team reps in practices Thursday through Saturday as he prepares not only for his first career start, but for his NFL debut. Hill's expected absence for the fantasy playoffs is a tough break for his managers, as he had been a strong producer in his three starts with 197.6 passing yards and 69 rushing yards per game to go with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores over than span.

The Bills placed Morris (undisclosed) on their practice squad COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Morris was active for one game so far this season. The tight end will look to fill an emergency reserve role for the Bills as soon as he's out of health and safety protocols.

Yeboah (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after testing positive for COVID, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Yeboah has worked his way up the Jets' tight end positional depth chart this season, starting on the practice squad but ultimately appearing in seven games so far. The undrafted rookie is still looking for his first career catch.

Pinkney was restored to the Rams' practice squad from the practice squad COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Pinkney will now return to practice with the Rams with an eye on returning to the active roster. He was elevated for the Rams' Week 14 contest against the Cardinals but never played.

Moreau (abdomen/thigh) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Moreau was on the field for all 69 of the Raiders' snaps on offense in Monday's win over the Browns, so his listed limitations Wednesday could simply be a case of the team acknowledging that he came out of a busy Week 15 with some aches and pains. Meanwhile, Darren Waller (knee/back) logged a 'DNP' Wednesday, so provided Moreau's injury issues aren't a big concern, there's a decent chance he could head the Raiders' tight end corps again Sunday against the Broncos.

Waller (knee/back) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

It's not the greatest sign that Waller, who last suited up for a game Nov. 25, isn't ready to practice, but he still has two more chances to take the field in advance of Sunday's game against the Broncos. If Waller remains sidelined, however, Foster Moreau would be in line to continue to head the Raiders' Week 16 tight end corps, provided his listed abdomen and thigh issues (he was classified as limited Wednesday) don't impact his playing status.