NFL Player News

Hooper (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Early reports suggested Hooper could be out for a month while he recovers from an MCL sprain. Coach Dan Quinn didn't agree with the timeline, but he acknowledged Friday that the tight end will miss at least one game. Given that he didn't practice at all this week, Hooper will face a challenge to make it back for Week 12 against Tampa Bay. In the meantime, the Falcons are left with Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker at tight end.

Knox (knee) returned to practice Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Some minor knee soreness caused the tight end to sit out Thursday's practice, but Knox's return to the field Friday suggests that he'll be a go Sunday against the Dolphins. The Bills' final injury report of the week figures to either list Knox as questionable for the contest, or clear him fully.

Hooper (knee) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hooper's absence shouldn't come as a surprise to fantasy players, given that head coach Dan Quinn labeled the tight end a "longshot" to play Sunday against the Panthers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier this week that Hooper could be sidelined for about a month, so there may be absences in the tight end's future beyond Week 11.

Seals-Jones wasn't targeted in Thursday's 21-7 win over Pittsburgh.

Seals-Jones returned to action after missing one game with a knee injury. He played only 11 snaps, his fewest since Week 3.

Carlson caught his lone target for an eight-yard touchdown in Thursday's 21-7 win over the Steelers.

Carlson, an undrafted rookie out of Princeton, was promoted from the Browns' practice squad to the active roster in Week 9 after injuries hit the tight end group. He hadn't made much of an impact until Thursday's win, when he had his first NFL target, catch and touchdown. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has made ample use of his tight ends near the goal line this season, as Carlson became the fourth member of the position group to catch a red-zone touchdown.

Higbee (knee) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee hasn't put himself in a good position to be available Sunday versus the Bears with no practice to date this week. Having said that, coach Sean McVay told Cameron DaSilva of USA Today that he expects Higbee and Gerald Everett (wrist) to suit up. Friday's injury report will have the final word on both tight end's potential to play.

Mundt was a limited practice participant Thursday due to a groin injury, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Mundt was listed on the injury report Wednesday, so he appears to have picked up the injury at practice. Gerald Everett (wrist) was also limited and Tyler Higbee (knee) didn't practice, leaving the Rams without any healthy tight ends.

Everett (wrist) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams' entire tight end room is injured at the moment, with Tyler Higbee (knee) still sidelined at practice and Johnny Mundt (groin) showing up Thursday as limited. Per Cameron DaSilva of USA Today, coach Sean McVay expects both Everett and Higbee to play Sunday versus the Bears, but Friday's injury report will reveal their chances to do so.

Seals-Jones (knee) is listed as active Thursday against the Steelers.

Prior to his absence Week 10 against the Bills, Seals-Jones didn't practice at all but still was considered a game-time decision. On this occasion, he was on the field all week, following an LP/LP/FP regimen. In his return, Seals-Jones likely will rotate with Demetrius Harris and Pharoah Brown at tight end.

Smythe (knee/elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Smythe was limited during Wednesday's practice due to knee and elbow injuries, and he's already resumed participating without limitations. The second-year pro looks primed for his usual depth role against the Bills on Sunday.