NFL Player News

Hooper (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Saints, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hooper will sit out a third straight game as he tends to a sprained MCL. The 25-year-old was initially handed a recovery timetable of one month after suffering a sprained MCL on Nov. 10, but he's yet to resume practicing at this point. With Luke Stocker (back) listed as questionable, the Falcons could be forced to operate with only Jaeden Graham at tight end during Thursday's divisional contest.

Engram (foot) worked on the side with the Giants' training staff during Wednesday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The same applies to Rhett Ellison (concussion), so for now, the Giants' lone healthy tight ends are Kaden Smith and Scott Simonson. Engram hasn't seen game action since suffering a mid-foot foot sprain in the Giants' Week 9 loss to the Cowboys.

Seals-Jones was unable to haul in his only target during Sunday's 41-24 win over Miami.

Sunday was Seals-Jones' second consecutive game without a reception and his third such game in his last four outings. The Texas A&M product has flashed big-play ability since coming into the league in 2017 and had the potential to be an under-the-radar weapon in Cleveland given his familiarity with coach Freddie Kitchens' offense from their time together in Arizona. The season hasn't played out that way -- though he's averaged an impressive 17.2 yard per catch, the fact that he has just two receptions since Week 6 signals where he stands, especially with David Njoku (wrist) nearing a return. Sunday brings a matchup against the Steelers and a pass defense that held Seals-Jones to 12 yards on two catches in Week 11.

Everett is considered day-to-day with a knee injury, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Everett seemed to pick up the injury in Monday's loss to the Ravens, when he caught the turf and appeared to hyper-extend his knee, although the team has yet to confirm the specific nature of the issue. The 2017 second-round pick played just 17 offensive snaps in Monday's game, catching both of his targets for 23 yards. The Rams head to Arizona for a divisional battle in Week 13, so expect Everett's practice availability to shed a light on his chances of suiting up in the game. If he can't go, expect Tyler Higbee and Johnny Mundt to man tight end duties.

Hurst was unable to reel in his lone target during Monday's 45-6 win over the Rams.

Monday marked Hurst's first catchless game of the season. The 2018 first-round pick has seldom accounted for many yards this season, having not topped 40 since Week 1, but he's been good for a catch or two per game with a red-zone target sprinkled in. Even if Hurst had maintained his reception streak, that type of production was never enough to make him a viable play in fantasy, especially against a team like the 49ers, who the Ravens face Sunday.

Hockenson (shoulder) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Hockenson has maintained his activity level through two injury reports this week, with Wednesday's final version potentially clearing up his status for Thursday's game versus the Bears. Even if he suits up, though, he may split work with the Lions' other tight ends for a second straight contest. In this past Sunday's loss at Washington, Hockenson received 33 of 74 offensive snaps, while Jesse James handled 32 and Logan Thomas got 28.

Hooper (knee) didn't practice Tuesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Instead of taking the practice field, Hooper worked with the training staff on the side, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. With Hooper tending to a sprained MCL and Luke Stocker logging DNPs this week due to a back injury, Jaeden Graham is the only healthy tight end on the Falcons' 53-man roster at the moment.

Hooper (knee) worked on a side field with the Falcons' training staff during Tuesday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report, Hooper seems poised to log a DNP for a second straight day. Until his sprained MCL is sound enough for him to get on the practice field, he'll yield reps to Jaeden Graham, who is the sole healthy TE on the roster with Luke Stocker (back) also in recovery mode.

Moreau caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 34-3 loss to the Jets.

Fellow tight end Darren Waller caught three of six targets for 41 yards as Moreau logged just 19 offensive snaps, while the entire Raiders offense was held in check during this blowout loss. A favorable matchup against the Chiefs awaits in Week 13, but Waller will continue to overshadow Moreau from a fantasy perspective.

Higbee caught five of six targets for 20 yards during Monday's 45-6 loss to Baltimore.

The five receptions were a season high for Higbee, but with just 20 yards to show for his busy evening, his impact was limited. The fourth-year tight end has been held to just 10 receptions for 58 yards through the past five weeks, and the Los Angeles offense has only scored 35 points over its past three games, so it's unlikely Higbee morphs into a reliable fantasy option over the final weeks of the season.