NFL Player News

Njoku (ankle/knee) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After logging a DNP on Wednesday, Njoku's upgrade Thursday bodes well for his chances of being available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Unless the tight end manages a full practice Friday, however, he figures to head into the weekend with a Week 12 injury designation.

Higbee (knee) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

One day removed from sitting out due to a knee issue, Higbee got in some work Thursday in what was termed a jog-through. Friday's practice report could clear up his status for Sunday's game in Kansas City entirely, but if not a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff won't leave many viable tight ends to turn to. Currently, Brycen Hopkins is the only other player at the position on the Rams' active roster.

Thomas (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report.

Thomas was a new addition to the team's injury report Thursday. If he is unable to recover from his illness in time to play Sunday against the Broncos, Tommy Tremble will take back over the No. 1 tight end role, while Stephen Sullivan will likely be looking at an uptick in work.

The Saints signed Holtz to their practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Holtz had seen action in each of New Orleans' contests since Week 4 before he was waived Saturday. He'll now return to the organization as a member of the team's practice squad. Holtz has been a non-factor as a pass catcher throughout most of his NFL career -- he's played in 35 games over the past three campaigns but has seen only one target and hasn't recorded a catch.

Higbee didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee issue, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee is one of the few Rams' skill-position players to have avoided the injury bug this season, ranging between 71 and 97 percent of the snaps through 10 games. This past Sunday at New Orleans, he rang in at 92 percent on his way to four catches (on eight targets) for 45 yards. Now with a health concern in tow, his status will be one to monitor as the week goes on. If he's able to suit up for Sunday's contest at Kansas City, Higbee won't be working with Matthew Stafford (concussion/neck). Instead, third-stringer Bryce Perkins likely will be under center, as he's slated to get the bulk of the first-team reps this week while No. 2 quarterback John Wolford works his way back from a stiff neck.

The Chiefs signed Blanton to their practice squad Wednesday.

Blanton was cut by the Rams on Tuesday, but it didn't take long for him to find a home with a new organization. The fourth-year tight end played in four contests with Los Angeles prior to being let go, catching both of his targets for 35 yards. Kansas City currently has three healthy tight ends, so it would likely take an injury or two for Blanton to have any sort of significant role on the active roster.

Everett (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Everett was inactive for this past Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but his ability to practice Wednesday -- albeit in a limited fashion -- suggests that he has a chance to return to action this weekend against the Cardinals. In his absence last week, Tre' McKitty, Richard Rodgers and Stone Smartt served as the Chargers' tight end, but no members of the trio possess Everett's pass-catching upside.

Long (concussion) logged a full practice session Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Long landed in the NFL's concussion protocol Nov. 9 following Miami's Week 9 win over Chicago. He was unable to return for the team's Week 10 win against Cleveland but had some time to recover during the Dolphins' Week 11 bye. It appears that Long has a good chance of suiting up Sunday against Houston, though his potential return won't make much of an impact in fantasy, as he's het to receive a target or record any counting stats so far this season.

Thomas (rib) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

He was listed with the same rib injury last week and ended up catching five of six targets for 65 yards in a win over the Texans. Production like that hasn't been the norm for Thomas this season, but he could have more useful weeks ahead as he's further removed from the ACL tear he suffered last year and the calf injury that cost him three weeks earlier this season. The Commanders host the Falcons in Week 12.

Everett (groin) is expected to practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Everett missed Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs, but the tight end's ability to practice Wednesday bodes well for his chances of suiting up this weekend against the Cardinals. In his absence Week 11, Tre' McKitty, Richard Rodgers and Stone Smartt handled the Chargers' tight-end snaps, but Smartt was the only one to log a target.