NFL Player News
-
Theo Johnson TE | NYG
Giants' Theo Johnson: Sent to injured reserve
The Giants placed Johnson (foot) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Johnson won't be eligible to return until the Week 18 regular-season finale, so it's fair to assume his rookie season is likely over after coach Brian Daboll hinted that was the case following the team's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys. In Johnson's absence, New York will roll with Daniel Bellinger, blocker Chris Manhertz and waiver-wire pickup Greg Dulcich at tight end.
-
Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Expected back for Week 14
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Oliver (ankle) is expected to return next Sunday against the Falcons, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Oliver has missed the Vikings' past two games due to a left ankle sprain. In Oliver's absence, T.J. Hockenson has seen elevated snap rates of 68 and 64 percent after playing 48 percent or less of the snaps in his first three games back from the reserve/PUP list. It's unclear what Oliver's return will do to Hockenson's snap share, if anything. In his two games without Oliver, Hockenson has totaled a 10-142-0 line on 15 targets. Oliver's the better blocker of the duo.
-
Ja'Tavion Sanders TE | CAR
Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders: Hopeful for Week 14
Coach Dave Canales said Monday that the hope is Sanders (neck) will be able to return next Sunday against the Eagles, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Sanders injured his neck Week 12 against the Chiefs and didn't practice last week before missing this past Sunday's loss to the Bucs. With Sanders out versus Tampa Bay, Tommy Tremble played 100 percent of the offensive snaps for the first time in his career and set career highs across the board in targets (eight), catches (five) and yards (77).
-
Taysom Hill QB | NO
Saints' Taysom Hill: Suffers season-ending ACL tear
Hill was diagnosed with a season-ending ACL tear as well as additional damage to his left knee after undergoing further testing following Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The setback is a devastating one for Hill, who was just two weeks removed from delivering one of the fantasy performances of the season, when he accounted for three touchdowns, eight receptions, 188 yards from scrimmage and 18 passing yards in a Nov. 17 win over the Browns. Though he had been filling a variety of functions in the New Orleans offense in addition to contributing on special teams, Hill had tight-end eligibility in most fantasy leagues, where his involvement as a rusher in recent weeks had made him a high-ceiling lineup option. Now set to turn 35 years old in August and coming off a major injury that could affect his readiness for the 2025 season, Hill is facing a murky outlook moving forward. He's still on the Saints' books through next season after signing a four-year, $40 million extension in November 2021, though the 2025 portion of his deal contains no guarantees and could put him at risk of being cut.
-
Evan Engram TE | DEN
Jaguars' Evan Engram: Team-high catch total in loss
Engram secured seven of nine targets for 41 yards in the Jaguars' 23-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.
Engram's catch total was a team-high figure, and the veteran tight end checked in third in targets behind wideouts Parker Washington (12) and Brian Thomas (10). Engram has at least five receptions in all but one of the seven games he's played since returning from a four-week stint on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue. Even if Mac Jones remains the starting quarterback the rest of the way in place of Trevor Lawrence (concussion), the veteran tight end's fantasy outlook should remain solid considering he's typically on the other end of high-percentage throws.
-
Taysom Hill QB | NO
Saints' Taysom Hill: Tests confirm season-ending injury
Hill is on track to miss the remainder of the season after tests Monday confirmed that he sustained a significant left knee injury in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Though a precise diagnosis of the injury likely won't be provided until interim head coach Darren Rizzi addresses the media, Hill's knee issue apparently is severe enough to sideline him for the final five games of the regular season and any potential playoff run that might follow. The 34-year-old Hill suffered four season-ending injuries during his collegiate career, but he's mostly been able to avoid extended absences since entering the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Hill had proven to be a versatile weapon for the Saints this season, contributing on special teams while also handling a variety of assignments on offense. He'll conclude the 2024 campaign with 278 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards on 23 catches and two completions for 21 passing yards while scoring six touchdowns over his eight appearances.
-
Mo Alie-Cox TE | IND
Colts' Mo Alie-Cox: Sees season high in snaps
Alie-Cox made two catches on two targets for 15 yards in the Colts' 25-24 win over the Patriots on Sunday.
Alie-Cox saw a season-best 34 snaps on offense and turned in his fourth multi-catch game of the season in the process. Although he's listed as No. 1 on the team's tight-end depth chart, Indianapolis' use of all four players at the position tends to spread out the snaps and targets. Alie-Cox and the Colts now head into a Week 14 bye and will return to action in Week 15 against the Broncos.
-
Austin Hooper TE | ATL
Patriots' Austin Hooper: Finds end zone again Sunday
Hooper, who was on the field for 36 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Colts, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, caught all of four his targets in the contest for 42 yards and a TD.
Fellow tight end Hunter Henry (56 snaps) caught seven of his nine targets Sunday for a team-high 75 yards, but Hooper still managed to make his mark by logging his third straight four-catch effort and scoring for the second consecutive week. The Patriots are on bye in Week 14, but Hooper's recent string of production makes him worthy of lineup consideration in deeper formats during the team's stretch run.
-
Jeremy Ruckert TE | NYJ
Jets' Jeremy Ruckert: Another one-catch outing
Ruckert caught one of two targets for three yards in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.
Ruckert saw a 25 percent snap share while starter Tyler Conklin had four catches and played 82 percent of snaps on offense. With 17 yards or fewer in every game this season, Ruckert remains firmly off the fantasy radar ahead of a Week 14 road game against the Dolphins.
-
Tyler Conklin TE | DET
Jets' Tyler Conklin: Signs of life in loss
Conklin caught four of five targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.
Conklin's production in this game doesn't jump off the page, but it's still a clear improvement after he had just three catches for 12 yards over the previous three games combined. He has unsurprisingly struggled to find consistency as a secondary option in the underwhelming Jets passing offense. Heading into a Week 14 clash with the Dolphins, Conklin has caught 33 of 49 targets for 284 yards and two touchdowns.