NFL Player News

Thomas (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Thomas was unable to practice Thursday or Friday. If he doesn't feel better by Sunday, Thomas will likely cede the starting role at tight end to Tommy Tremble. Fellow tight end Stephen Sullivan is also questionable due to an illness.

Ricci (neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Ricci was unable to practice at all throughout the week. The fullback is likely to miss a second consecutive game after getting injured in Week 10 against the Falcons.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Higbee (knee) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams appear content to wait and see how Higbee progresses from the knee injury through the weekend before a formal decision on his status is made when the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Higbee appeared on the Rams' injury report with the knee issue after he recorded four receptions for 45 yards on eight targets in last Sunday's loss to the Saints. He didn't practice Wednesday and was then estimated as a limited participant on Thursday's report, but it's unclear if he's healthy enough to fill his usual role as the Rams' top tight end. Even if Higbee is good to go this weekend, he won't have the luxury of working with Matthew Stafford (concussion/neck), who has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest. The Rams are likely to turn to third-stringer Bryce Perkins to direct their offense, after he took the majority of the first-team reps in practice this week while Stafford was sidelined and while No. 2 quarterback John Wolford (neck) was limited.

Mitchell caught one pass on one target for 22 yards during Thursday's loss to the Bills.

Mitchell continued to hover around a quarter of the offensive snaps, and his only production came on a broken play in which quarterback Jared Goff was able to set up Mitchell for a decent catch-and-run opportunity. Otherwise, Mitchell was a complete afterthought in the passing game as Goff largely looked to his wideouts plus D'Andre Swift all day. Expect more of the same for the fifth-round rookie in Week 13 against Jacksonville.

Wright caught two of three targets for six yards during Thursday's 28-25 loss to the Bills.

Detroit is still not running much of its passing game through the tight ends in the wake of T.J. Hockenson's trade to Minnesota. Without much of an athletic profile to fall back on, Wright will be remain a zero-floor, low-upside fantasy option Week 13 against Jacksonville.

Knox caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 28-25 win over Detroit.

After leading the team in catches and receiving yards during Week 11, Knox wasn't nearly as involved four days later. The 26-year-old tight end has flashed talent, but he's having trouble carving out a consistent role in a Bills offense with plenty of other weapons. Knox has topped 50 yards only twice this season while finding the end zone just twice after scoring nine touchdowns in his breakout 2021 campaign.

Thomas (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta, with Commanders head coach Ron Rivera noting Friday that he expects Thomas to play, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas managed limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, after catching five of six targets for a team-high 65 yards in last Sunday's win over the Texans. He's otherwise had a quiet season, but he at least runs routes on most of Washington's pass plays whenever he's healthy and has a history of fantasy utility. If Thomas ends up missing the game, which doesn't sound likely, the Commanders will be down to John Bates and Cole Turner at tight end, with the former more of an in-line blocker and the latter more likely to run routes from the slot.

Hendershot turned his only carry into a two-yard touchdown during Thursday's win over the Giants.

The Cowboys' tight end room had a lot to be thankful for after the game. In addition to Hendershot's score on a jet sweep in the fourth quarter, Dalton Schultz caught two touchdown passes and Jake Ferguson made highlight reels by hurdling a New York defender on a 30-yard reception. Hendershot's spot on the depth chart affords him few touches, but the rookie is on his way to becoming an effective H-back in the NFL.

Ferguson caught all three of his targets for a career-high 57 yards in Thursday's 28-20 win over the Giants.

Thirty of those yards came on a spectacular catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter that saw the rookie tight end hurdle one New York defender before lowering his shoulders and trucking another for an extra few yards. Ferguson's fantasy value is low now that Dalton Schultz is fully healthy, but he's showing impressive glimpses of his potential if he grows into the starting role down the road.

Cager reeled in one of two targets for 20 yards Thursday in the Giants' 28-20 loss to the Cowboys.

In the continued absence of Daniel Bellinger (eye), Cager remained the Giants' top tight-end option, logging 26 offensive snaps. However, work at the position was spread out fairly evenly in the contest, with Chris Myarick gaining 23 yards on one reception while logging 22 offensive snaps and Tanner Hudson recording one catch for 10 yards on 12 offensive snaps. None of the three has been consistently productive during Bellinger's absence, and with the rookie tight end nearing a return, it's likely only a matter of time before Cager sees his meager opportunities take a hit.