NFL Player News
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Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Logs full practice Wednesday
Oliver (wrist/ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
In advance of missing the last two games due to a sprained ankle, Oliver wasn't able to practice in any capacity, so his ability to handle every rep in his return to the field Wednesday indicates he's more or less back to 100 percent. Prior to the recent absence, he recorded multiple catches in four straight contests on his way to a cumulative 14-174-2 line on 16 targets. That said, with T.J. Hockenson slowly but surely increasing his snap share (60-plus percent the last two outings), Oliver may not have as large of a workload available to him Sunday against the Falcons.
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John FitzPatrick TE | GB
Packers' John FitzPatrick: Ready for Thursday night
FitzPatrick (back) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Lions, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
FitzPatrick was estimated as a full practice participant Tuesday and Wednesday, suggesting he's recovered from his back injury in time to face Detroit on Thursday night. The Georgia product is expected to see minimal offensive work and serve as the Packers' No. 3 tight end in Week 14, playing behind Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims.
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Josh Oliver TE | MIN
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Back at practice Wednesday
Oliver (ankle) participated in practice Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
It's Oliver's first practice since injuring his ankle Nov. 17. Coach Kevin O'Connell stated earlier in the week on Monday that he expected Oliver back for Sunday's Week 14 game against the Falcons. In Oliver's absence, T.J. Hockenson saw a spiked role, playing 68 and 64 percent of the offensive snaps, while logging a 10-142-0 receiving line on 15 targets. Oliver's return would be a slight negative for Hockenson.
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Foster Moreau TE | NO
Saints' Foster Moreau: Dealing with shoulder issue
Moreau (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
With Taysom Hill out for the season due to a torn ACL, Moreau and Juwan Johnson (foot) are in line to handle most of the TE reps for New Orleans moving forward. However, both players have kicked off Week 14 prep with a cap on their practice reps. Sessions on Thursday and Friday likely will determine whether one or both of them enter the weekend with designations ahead of Sunday's contest at the Giants.
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Juwan Johnson TE | NO
Saints' Juwan Johnson: Dealing with foot issue
Johnson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a foot injury, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
In the wake of Taysom Hill's season-ending ACL tear, Johnson and Foster Moreau (shoulder) are expected to handle the bulk of the TE reps for the Saints moving forward. Having said that, both players began Week 14 prep with a cap on their practice reps. The pair will have two more opportunities Thursday and Friday before the team potentially tags them with designations ahead of Sunday's game at the Giants.
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Quintin Morris TE | BUF
Bills' Quintin Morris: Estimated as limited
Morris (shoulder/groin) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimation.
Morris played 38 total snaps (23 offensive and 15 on special teams) and caught his only target for 14 yards in the Bills' Week 13 win over the 49ers. However, he's dealing with shoulder and groin issues following Sunday's game. The 25-year-old could be in jeopardy of missing Buffalo's Week 14 matchup against the Rams if he's unable to upgrade to full practice Thursday or Friday.
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Dallas Goedert TE | PHI
Eagles' Dallas Goedert: Absent from practice Wednesday
Goedert (knee) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.
Goedert's absence from practice Wednesday comes as little surprise, given that he was labeled week-to-week after suffering a knee injury during Philadelphia's 24-19 win over the Ravens this past Sunday. The tight end could be a candidate for injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. While the Eagles haven't officially ruled Goedert out for Sunday's game against the Panthers yet, the expectation is that Grant Calcaterra will step in as the Eagles' starting tight end this weekend.
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Ja'Tavion Sanders TE | CAR
Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders: Practices in non-contact jersey
Sanders (neck) was limited Wednesday and wore a red non-contact jersey at the portion of practice open to the media, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Head coach Dave Canales said Monday he's hopeful Sanders, who hasn't played since injuring his neck Week 12, will be able to return Sunday versus the Eagles. The rookie fourth-round pick didn't practice last week, so it's encouraging to see him back on the field Wednesday, but he'll need to resume handling full contact reps in short order for a chance at retaking the field Week 14. Tommy Tremble racked up a season-high 77 yards on five catches (eight targets) in Week 13 with Sanders sidelined.
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Theo Johnson TE | NYG
Giants' Theo Johnson: Undergoes surgery
Johnson, who was placed on injured reserve Monday due to a season-ending foot injury, has undergone surgery, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.
Johnson's injury was in the Lisfranc joint and brought an early end to his five-catch, 54-yard performance in a loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving and his season. After Darren Waller retired over the summer, the rookie fourth-round selection took over as the Giants' No. 1 tight end and finished his season with 29 catches on 43 targets for 331 yards and a touchdown.
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Dalton Kincaid TE | BUF
Bills' Dalton Kincaid: Set for limited practice
Head coach Sean McDermott said that Kincaid (knee) will be listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through session, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
Kincaid, who last saw game action Week 10, didn't practice last week, so his limited listing is a step in the right direction. The tight end will have two more opportunities to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams. If Kincaid remains out for a third straight game, however, Dawson Knox would be in line to see added opportunities as the Bills' top tight end.