NFL Player News

Njoku (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku, who caught three of six targets for eight yards in the Week 13 loss to the Texans, has been up and down over his last six outings. With the knee issue not viewed as much of a concern, Njoku's chances of a bouncing back this weekend are supported by the fact that Sunday's opponent, the Panthers, have had trouble limiting tight ends this season.

Engram (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram hadn't taken the practice field since injuring his hamstring during pregame warmups Nov. 25 in Philadelphia, missing the Giants' overtime win against the Bears in Week 13 as a result. With a return to drills, the second-year tight end is trending in a positive direction, but it remains to be seen if it'll be enough to play Sunday in Washington. His listing on upcoming injury reports will be worth monitoring as the weekend approaches.

Thomas is primed for a key role at tight end for the rest of the season after the Panthers placed teammate Greg Olsen (foot) on injured reserve Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Thomas was unable to capitalize on Olsen's absence the first time around, catching eight of 14 targets for 68 yards over a three-game span while averaging 54.7 snaps per contest. However, the rookie fourth-round pick looked much better in Sunday's 24-17 loss to Tampa Bay, catching each of his five targets for 46 yards after hauling in just one pass over the previous seven weeks. Thomas will kick off his second run in the starting role with a favorable Week 14 matchup at Cleveland, facing a defense that has given up the most catches (75) and targets (111) to tight ends, albeit with a mark of just 6.5 yards per target.

Alie-Cox (calf) will not practice Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Alie-Cox has sat out in the Colts' last two games. Last week, Alie-Cox was spotted with a protective boot over his calf. His practice status later this week will paint a better picture as to whether he'll play Sunday, but he should still be considered questionable at the least for now.

Akins caught one 13-yard pass during Sunday's 29-13 win over the Browns.

Akins has now been targeted seven times over his past four games following just 11 targets in his first eight games. He hasn't been able to produce much during his rookie season, but the Texans have an interesting tight-end room, and all three targets have produced equally modestly, with each producing between 13 and 15 catches and 152 and 203 yards. Akins brings up the rear on both those stats at an already underutilized group. Don't expect that to change Sunday against an average Colts pass defense.

Goedert failed to haul in any of his three targets in Monday night's 28-13 win over Washington.

The good news is that Goedert drew at least three targets in his third consecutive game while seeing 39 snaps, his second-highest total of the season. But that makes three catchless games in his last four. The rookie is most useful as a Zach Ertz handcuff as the fantasy playoffs are set to begin or as a dynasty stash looking ahead to 2019.

Seals-Jones caught one of three targets for 10 yards during Sunday's 20-17 win over Green Bay.

Seals-Jones has now been held to one catch and 10 or fewer yards in three consecutive games. The second-year pass-catcher showed some signs of potential stardom in 2017, but not much has gone right this season. He's caught more than two passes just twice since Week 2 and hasn't scored since Week 3. The Cardinals, as a whole, have struggled with new leadership and a rookie under center. Seals-Jones might still be a dynamic target in the making, but his development has certainly been arrested. Things likely won't pick up against an average Lions pass defense Sunday.

The Dolphins placed Derby (foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Derby appeared in only four games this season, as he dealt with foot and knee injuries throughout the year. The 27-year-old ends his season with three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. Nick O'Leary and Mike Gesicki should see increased workloads to finish out the season.

Higbee caught two of three targets for 19 yards during Sunday's 30-16 win over Detroit.

This was a disappointing showing from Higbee. He had put together a respectable three-game stretch with 11 receptions for 128 yards and a score entering Los Angeles' Week 12 bye. He did play 47 of 69 offensive snaps, which was almost twice as many as fellow tight end Gerald Everett, but it's still difficult to view Higbee as a reliable fantasy asset in most settings.

Ertz caught nine of 10 targets for 83 yards in Monday night's 28-13 win over the Redskins.

Ertz was his ever-present self in the Eagles passing game, helping the team move the sticks in a variety of ways. In fact, with his nine catches, Ertz set a new franchise record for receptions in a single season, yet still has four games to improve on his total of 93. He'll look to do so in a big way Week 14 versus the Cowboys, who he already caught 14 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns against Week 10.