NFL Player News

Rucci (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

The Lions claimed Rucci off waivers to provide depth to their beat-up tight end corps. He has yet to appear in a game with the team.

Mayer (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Mayer has now missed five straight practices, giving him one more opportunity to get some work in before the Raiders' Week 14 injury designations are assigned. If Mayer remains out Sunday against the Broncos, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon will be candidates to log added snaps behind Las Vegas' top tight end Brock Bowers.

Njoku (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Njoku, who also was limited Wednesday, was limited last Wednesday and Thursday before practicing fully Friday and heading into Week 13 without an injury designation. Chances are that cadence is repeated ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans.

The Lions placed Wright (neck) on injured reserve Thursday.

Wright joins fellow TE Sam LaPorta (back) on IR, meaning the former will miss at least the next four games. With all of Wright, LaPorta and Shane Zylstra (knee), the latter of whom was designated for return from IR this week but ruled out for Week 14 action, sidelined, Detroit's group of available tight ends Thursday against the Cowboys includes Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser and Hayden Rucci.

Kincaid (hamstring/knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

Kincaid, who also was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough, now has one more chance to practice fully in advance of Sunday's game against the Bengals. Per Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard, the tight end, who last saw game action Week 10, sported a knee brace on his left leg at practice Thursday as he continues to manage a hamstring injury, along with a knee issue that popped up on Wednesday's injury report.

Franks was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Franks was forced out of Atlanta's Week 13 loss to the Jets due to a calf injury. He wasn't hampered by the injury in Wednesday's practice, setting him up to play in Week 14 against the Seahawks.

Adkins (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Adkins hurt his knee during a game against Dallas on Oct. 26. Though the Broncos have elected against placing Adkins on IR to this point, the tight end hasn't practiced since getting hurt and has missed four consecutive contests. Adam Trautman has worked as Denver's No. 2 tight end while Adkins has been out and will presumably continue to do so until Adkins returns.

Gray (concussion) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Gray missed last week's loss to the Cowboys, but he's progressing well and appears on track to clear the league's concussion protocol before Sunday's game versus the Texans. Gray typically plays more than half the offensive snaps in a game. He has produced 16 receptions for 132 yards through 11 games.

Barner was limited at practice Wednesday due to knee and shoulder injuries, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Barner paces Seattle's group of tight ends most weeks, clearing an 80 percent snap share eight times in 12 games this season. The results have been more tepid in the box score, as evidenced by a 37-359-4 line on 46 targets on the campaign in an offense that is run-heavy and also has a clear top receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Barner will have two more chances to prove his health this week before Friday's practice report potentially includes a designation for Sunday's contest in Atlanta.

Bates (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Bates missed last week's loss to the 49ers, and he's in danger of missing this Sunday's game versus the Titans unless he can return to the practice field by Friday. Even if Bates is able to play, he likely won't factor into the offensive gameplan because David Njoku (knee) is trending towards playing while Harold Fannin has the top spot locked up.