NFL Player News

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said that Ertz (ankle) is "trending in the right direction" to play Monday against the Seahawks, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia reports.

Since being designated to return from injured reserve Nov. 18, Ertz has experienced no reported setbacks in his recovery from the left high-ankle sprain he sustained Week 6. Assuming he continues to make progress while practicing for a second straight week, Ertz should be on track to put an end to a four-game absence Monday. Before getting hurt, Ertz was regularly handling heavy snap shares for the Eagles, but he took a major step back from a production standpoint, hauling in only 24 of 45 targets for 178 yards and a touchdown in six games. If Ertz is activated for Week 12, the Eagles could ease him back into the fold with a more modest workload than normal.

Smith (illness) won't be available to play Sunday against the Bengals, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Smith was revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 20, and he looks like he won't be ready to play until Week 13 in Seattle at the earliest. His absence this weekend leaves Evan Engram and Levine Toilolo as New York's only available tight ends, though any of Nate Wieting, Rysen John or Nakia Griffin-Stewart could be elevated from the practice squad.

Swaim caught his only target for nine yards during Sunday's win over the Ravens.

The 27-year-old played 63 percent of the offensive snaps Sunday but was minimally involved in the passing game. Swaim has been seeing more playing time than Anthony Firkser but Firkser is garnering significantly more looks behind No. 1 tight end Jonnu Smith.

Fant caught four of five targets for 55 yards during Sunday's 20-13 win over Miami.

Fant kick-started a key, clock-draining drive midway through the fourth quarter when he took a short pass at the sideline and broke back over the middle of the field for a 29-yard catch-and-run. The play helped Fant reach his highest yardage mark since Week 2, and his 33 yards after the catch were his third most this season. Denver found a groove Sunday with Drew Lock booting out and finding Fant and fellow tight end Nick Vannett in the flat. Look for that to continue in Week 12 against a Saints team that can push the pocket, but has been so-so covering tight ends.

Parham didn't receive a target in Sunday's win over the Jets.

The 23-year-old tight end failed to catch a pass for the third time in four games. Parham has enjoyed some success this year with two of his three receptions happening in the end zone. However, his upside is severely capped as the No. 2 option behind Hunter Henry.

James was targeted twice and caught one pass for three yards in Sunday's 20-0 loss to the Panthers.

James continues to handle a consistent role on offense, playing about 50 percent of the snaps on a weekly basis. His production is capped behind T.J. Hockenson, though, and he's recorded just 10 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown through 10 games.

Bell (back) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old apparently picked up the injury during Sunday's win over the Vikings, and he's been estimated as a limited participant on the first two practice reports of the week. Bell appears on track to play Thursday against Washington, though he may receive the questionable tag if he's unable to put in a full practice Wednesday.

Thomas didn't receive a target during Sunday's win over the Lions.

Chris Manhertz and Thomas played 42 and 40 offensive snaps during the contest, respectively, but neither player recorded a catch Sunday. Thomas has played at least 56 percent of offensive snaps in every game this season, but he has only 12 catches for 93 yards and one touchdown.

Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that Sullivan underwent sports hernia surgery and will miss at least three weeks, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Sullivan, a practice squad member for Seattle, was practicing both as a tight end and a defensive end prior to this injury. Carroll relayed that the rookie out of LSU will focus on tight end once he's healthy again.

Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that Parkinson will have a role on offense moving forward after the Seahawks' placed Greg Olsen (foot) on injured reserve, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Parkinson missed the first six games of the season with a foot injury. He made his NFL debut in Week 8 against the 49ers, but the rookie fourth-round pick served as a healthy scratch in the last three games. Parkinson will slot in as the No. 3 tight end behind Will Dissly and Jacob Hollister moving forward. The 6-foot-7, 251-pound tight end generated 77 receptions for 1,074 yards and eight touchdowns over 25 games between his final two collegiate seasons.