NFL Player News

Hockenson (hip) was limited in practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Lions' top running back and wide receiver duo of D'Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) remained sidelined in the second session of Week 5 prep, and receivers DJ Chark (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) joined Hockenson with a cap in their reps. If both Swift and St. Brown are out Sunday at New England, Hockenson again would be in line for a significant workload after putting up an 8-179-2 line on 12 targets Week 4 against the Seahawks, assuming he gains clearance to play. Friday's practice report may provide clarity on Hockenson's chances to suit up this weekend.

Njoku (knee/rest) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku sat out the Browns' first Week 5 practice session a day earlier, but the fact that he had a "rest" designation attached to his name along with the knee injury suggested his status for Sunday's game against the Chargers was never in much question. His return to practice as a full participant verifies that, and Njoku should remain one of Jacoby Brissett's favorite targets this weekend. Over the past two games, Njoku has drawn 17 looks and has turned them into 14 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Sullivan (back) did not participate during the Panthers' practice Thursday.

Sullivan appears to have picked up a back injury after logging a full practice Wednesday, though the exact nature and severity of this issue are unclear. The third-year tight end recorded his lone catch of the season in Week 2, and he has played 40 of his 47 total snaps on special teams over three games. Sullivan will have once more practice to improve his status before Sunday's game against San Francisco.

Bryant (illness) was able to practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bryant sat out practice Wednesday due to the illness, but he returned in some form Thursday. The Browns have not released their official practice report yet, so it's not clear if he was a limited or full participant. However, either would be a step in the right direction for the third-year tight end. With David Njoku (knee) and recent signee Pharaoh Brown (hip) both questionable for Sunday against the Chargers as well, Bryant could potentially find himself in a significant role, if he plays.

Njoku (knee/rest) returned to practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

It remains to be seen if Njoku -- who sat out Wednesday's session -- will be listed as a limited or full participant by the Browns, but the tight end's return to practice Thursday presumably puts him on track to suit up Sunday against the Chargers.

Hockenson (hip) took part in practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Among Lions skill-position players that didn't mix into drills Wednesday, Hockenson, DJ Chark (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) got back on the field, while Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Quintez Cephus (foot) did not. Hockenson's activity level won't be known until the team posts its second injury report of Week 5 prep, but his return to practice is a positive sign in advance of Sunday's game at New England.

Knox (foot/hamstring) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Following back-to-back absences at practice, what Knox is able to do during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his chances of being available Sunday against the Steelers. If he ends up missing the contest, Quintin Morris and Tommy Sweeney would be next in line to handle snaps at tight end for Buffalo in Week 5.

Pitts (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Pitts missed Wednesday's practice, so the tight end's status will be worth monitoring closely ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. In the event that Pitts is sidelined or limited this weekend, Parker Hesse and Anthony Firkser would be in line to see added snaps Week 5.

Smith (ankle) was present for Thursday's practice after sitting out Wednesday's session, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Thursday's injury report will clarify the tight end's participation level, but his return to the field suggests that he has a chance to suit up this weekend against the Lions. Four games into the 2022 season, Jones has caught seven of his 11 targets for 58 yards while working in a timeshare with Hunter Henry.

Jordan (ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Jordan hasn't practiced since tweaking his ankle in the Texans' 16-9 loss to the Broncos in Week 2 and looks to be trending toward a third consecutive absence Sunday in Jacksonville. Before the Texans formally decide on his status for the weekend, they'll wait and see if Jordan can fit in any on-field work Friday. With Pharaoh Brown having since been released and Jordan looking unlikely to be available Week 5, O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins look set to split reps at tight end against the Jaguars.