NFL Player News

Graham (knee/thumb) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

After failing to participate in Wednesday's session, Graham made good on coach Mike McCarthy's assertion that the tight end would test out different splints this week to see if he can play through a broken thumb. On Thursday, Graham took part with a distinct tape job on his left hand, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Graham proceeded to haul in passes from Aaron Rodgers at different stages of practice, according to Josh Tolentino of The Athletic. If Graham gains the requisite approval from the Packers' medical and training staffs, his gameday workload likely will be dictated by pain tolerance.

The Dolphins listed Derby (foot/knee) as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated practice report, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

It represents no change in Derby's level of practice participation from what he was able to do Wednesday. If Derby upgrades to full participation for the Dolphins' final practice of the week Friday, he should be a decent bet to suit up Sunday against the Colts. Prior to the Dolphins' Week 11 bye, Derby returned from a six-game absence to play 30 offensive snaps in the team's 31-12 loss to the Packers on Nov. 11.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Graham (thumb) would participate in Thursday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Graham hasn't given up hope of playing Sunday in Minnesota after fracturing his thumb in the Week 11 loss to the Seahawks. Though he sat out Wednesday's practice, he'll be on the field Thursday while he tests out an attachment to protect the injured finger. If the splint allows Graham to catch and run without too many complications, his odds of suiting up for the divisional matchup would increase. Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan would all see elevated roles this weekend in the event the Packers elect to hold out Graham.

Allen (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.

Allen was the only member of New England's roster to not practice Wednesday and appears likely to miss Sunday's tilt against the Jets. If the veteran tight end is unable to suit up in Week 12, the impact of his absence could be mitigated by the probable return of Rob Gronkowski (back/ankle). He has missed two straight games and was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hewitt (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Hewitt continues to nurse a knee injury, which has caused him to miss two straight games. The depth tight end's availability for Sunday's tilt against the Dolphins appears to be in legitimate question.

Derby (foot/knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby continues to manage a lingering foot issue which he's dealt with for the majority of the season. After missing six consecutive games, Derby returned to action in Week 10 against the Packers, playing 30 offensive snaps and finishing with one reception for 13 yards on two targets. With a Week 11 bye to further aid his recovery, Derby seems likely to suit up Sunday against the Colts and and share snaps at tight end with Nick O'Leary and Mike Gesicki.

Graham (thumb) didn't practice Wednesday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com previously reported that Graham was going to try to play through his broken thumb this Sunday against the Vikings, but such an outcome hinges on how things go in terms of the tight end's success in finding a splint and/or protective device that allows him to do his job with limited restrictions. If Graham is unable to go this weekend, Lance Kendricks, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan would handle expanded roles among the Packers' tight-end ranks.

Njoku (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Following the Browns' bye week, Njoku is no longer nursing a rib injury, but he continues to manage a knee issue that hasn't caused him to miss any games. Njoku has cooled off of late, but he's a bounce-back candidate in Week 12 versus a Cincinnati defense that tight ends have found a degree of success against this season.

Andrews caught his lone target for a 19-yard gain during Sunday's 24-21 win over the Bengals.

Coming into Sunday, the rookie tight end had been targeted at least four times in three of his previous four games. That went away as Baltimore went run-heavy with fellow rookie Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Andrews is probably the member of the Ravens' deep tight-end corps most likely to produce in the passing game on any given week, but whether Lamar Jackson or Joe Flacco (hip) starts Sunday against the Raiders obviously impacts his potential opportunities and value. The situation is worth monitoring.

Malleck (undisclosed) was waived off injured reserve by the Broncos on Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Malleck landed on injured reserve with the undisclosed injury in early August, and it remains unclear whether he's still injured. The 25-year-old has struggled to stick on a roster since going undrafted in 2015 but will look to latch on elsewhere.