NFL Player News

Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Mitchell has appeared in just four regular-season games and will not be available to play Sunday. Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans will be the Panthers' three tight ends on the active roster for Week 15.

Saubert (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Saubert was activated from injured reserve Saturday, and the veteran tight end has been cleared to return Sunday from a six-game absence due to a calf injury. With Elijah Arroyo (knee) on injured reserve, Saubert and Nick Kallerup will serve as the backup tight ends behind AJ Barner for Sunday's game.

Zylstra (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Rams.

Zylstra was hurt in Week 2 against Chicago and subsequently landed on IR. He was activated Saturday and is now officially ready to return to action. With Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on injured reserve, there is room for Zylstra to carve out a tangible role in the Lions' tight-end corps.

Yankoff (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Giants.

Yankoff appeared to sustain the injury early in the second half, and he's being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Ben Sinnott should see a slight uptick in offensive snaps for as long as Yankoff is out of the game.

Fant (ankle) is questionable to return in Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Fant limped off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's matchup. The 28-year-old had 33 receptions for 283 yards and three touchdowns over his previous 12 games this season. If the seventh-year veteran is unable to return, Tanner Hudson will likely take over as the No. 2 tight end for the remainder of the game.

Bryant (neck/shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Bryant has been cleared to return Sunday from a four-game absence due to shoulder and neck injuries. The sixth-year pro will join Cade Stover as the Texans' backup tight ends behind Dalton Schultz.

Smartt (concussion) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Smartt entered the league's concussion protocol following the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Dolphins. He ended the week with a full practice Friday and has been given the green light to play Sunday after being evaluated by an independent neurologist. Smartt will have the opportunity to serve as the Jets' TE2 behind Jeremy Ruckert due to Mason Taylor (neck) being inactive.

Thomas (calf) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Thomas suffered a calf injury during the Raiders' Week 14 loss to the Broncos. He was tagged as questionable for Week 15 after logging a full practice Friday, but he will be sidelined for Sunday's game after going through pregame warmups. With Thomas not playing, Carter Runyon will step up as the Raiders' TE3 behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.

Higgins (illness) is active for Sunday's game at Houston.

Higgins was held out of Friday's practice due to an illness that left him questionable for Week 15 action. Now that he's confirmed to be active, he'll be working in a passing game without the services of WRs Marvin Harrison (heel, inactive), Greg Dortch (chest, IR) and Xavier Weaver (hamstring, inactive), among others, for a second consecutive contest. In the first such outing last Sunday against the Rams, Higgins received a season-high 66 percent snap share but couldn't haul in his only target, while top TE Trey McBride (5-58-0 on nine targets) and WR Michael Wilson (11-142-2 on 16 targets) dominated the attention of QB Jacoby Brissett.

The Steelers announced Sunday that Washington cleared concussion protocol and no longer carries a designation for Monday's game against the Dolphins.

After logging three straight limited practice this week, Washington had initially been listed as questionable for the contest. Now that he's been cleared to play Monday, the tight end will be able to maintain his growing role in Pittsburgh's passing game. Over his last three games, Washington has reeled in five of his seven targets for 79 yards, though it's worth noting that Washington was forced out of the Week 14 win over the Ravens after logging just 15 snaps on offense.