NFL Player News

Lions tight end Joseph Fauria has caught just three of his seven passes outside the red zone. He's been a great red zone target with four touchdowns, but his role still might be limited because Fauria is learning how to be an NFL tight end, according to MLive.com.

"He's a young player, there's still a lot of things that he's working on," coach Jim Schwartz said Monday. "I think everybody has seen some of his accomplishments and some of the things that he's good at, but sometimes people miss the things that he's still working on and he's like any young player right there. There's a lot of parts of his game that he's still working on.

"Right now we're just trying to find the best way to use guys, and try to put him on the field in situations that they can respond the best."

The Steelers had to make a few transactions Tuesday, which included placing two players on season-ending injured reserve. The Steelers placed offensive tackle Levi Brown (triceps) and tight end David Johnson (wrist) on injured reserve.

To take their roster spots, the Steelers signed free agent Richard Gordon and promoted cornerback Isaiah Green from the practice squad.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is still having his left foot evaluated, "but there is a sense of optimism in the organization that he will be able to play after the bye week," sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Graham suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Patriots.

Graham, who leads the NFL with 593 receiving yards, is off this week before New Orleans hosts Buffalo in Week 8. The Saints have not provided an update on Graham's status.

The Redskins' tight end battle is basically over. Rookie Jordan Reed won in a landslide.

In the Week 6 loss at Dallas, Reed played 56 snaps to Logan Paulsen's 20 and Fred Davis' 19. Reed ran a whopping 36 pass routes. Davis ran three, Paulsen two. Reed looked fine after missing the previous game with a deep thigh bruise. 

Reed has nine catches for 108 yards in the last two games he's played. 

Buccaneers rookie tight end Timothy Wright has a rapport with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon, and it's showing on the field. Wright has 12 catches for 132 yards the past two weeks.

“Mike and I came in together as rookies and spent a lot of time in the offseason getting our timing down,’’ Wright said Monday, per the Tampa Tribune. “You never thought we’d be the two hooking up together at this point, but it happened.’’

Undrafted out of Rutgers, Wright began the season fourth on the depth chart after switching from wideout to tight end. Tom Crabtree is still listed as the starter, but he played primarily in short-yardage situations against Philly. With two other Buccaneers tight ends on IR, Wright is the leading pass-catcher. 

“It’s definitely starting to click,’’ Wright said. "I had to learn the ins and outs of a new position, learning how the linebackers and safeties are going to cover me."

The Eagles announced Monday wide receiver B.J. Cunningham was signed to the active roster. Tight end Emil Igwenagu was released to create a roster spot.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is getting an MRI on his foot Monday, a source told NFL.com. Graham suffered the injury midway through Sunday's game at New England and played some after getting hurt.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf) said he will do running drills Monday and hopes to play Week 7 vs. San Diego, according to The Florida Times-Union. Lewis has missed the last two games and has been active for just one of six games this season because of the injury.

The Redskins received minor offensive contributions from a few role players Week 6 against the Cowboys.

Fullback Darrel Young broke for a 19-yard run late in the fourth quarter for his only action of the night. Wide receiver Josh Morgan caught a 6-yard pass in the fourth quarter for his only gain of the game. Tight ends Fred Davis and Logan Paulsen were not targeted and took a backseat to Jordan Reed, who had four catches for 58 yards.

Several Cardinals made minor offensive contributions in the loss at San Francisco. Running back Stepfan Taylor ran twice for 7 yards, while running back Alfonso Smith ran once for 2 yards and lost a fumble.

Receivers Andre Roberts and Jaron Brown each caught a 5-yard pass, with Roberts targeted four times and Brown once. Tight end Jim Dray made a 4-yard grab.