Who Should I Start? Taysom Hill or Irv Smith Jr.

Monday, October 14, 4:51 PM

The New Orleans Saints listed tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated injury report as the team prepares for a Thursday night battle in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Hill missed his third game of the year and second straight in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but a limited listing in the first practice of the week suggests he could have a shot to return to face the Broncos in primetime on Thursday. When the 34-year-old does return, if quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) remains out, Hill could be in line for more usage as a running back or even QB out of New Orleans' backfield. He'd still be no better than a boom/bust TE2 in fantasy leagues, though, as an unpredictable do-it-all weapon for the Saints. Hill does have two rushing scores in three games this year but just 14 carries for 77 yards and two catches for two yards.

Tuesday, September 17, 10:22 PM

The Houston Texans signed free-agent tight end Irv Smith and former starting center Scott Quessenberry to their practice squad on Tuesday following successful tryouts, according to league sources. Smith, a former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of Alabama, will give Houston more depth at the TE position behind Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan and rookie Cade Stover. He has 109 career receptions for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career with the Vikings, Bengals and Chiefs, but injuries have really held him back from reaching his true ceiling. Texans center Juice Scruggs (groin), who missed the Week 2 win over the Bears on Sunday night, is on track to return this week against the Vikings, but Quessenberry will give the team more depth at the position. Quessenberry started for Houston two seasons ago when Justin Britt stepped away for personal reasons.