NFL Player News

Freiermuth (foot) didn't practice Thursday.

Back-to-back DNPs make Freiermuth's status worth tracking as Sunday's game against the Panthers approaches. That said, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com previously noted that the tight end expects to play this weekend, a notion that would be supported by his return to practice in any capacity Friday.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Smith (ankle) is close to returning from injured reserve, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Because Smith hasn't been designated for return from IR and thus hasn't resumed practicing with the Vikings since suffering a high-ankle sprain in an Oct. 30 win over the Cardinals, he won't be a candidate to play Saturday against the Colts. However, Tomasson notes that Smith was able to get some work off to the side during Thursday's practice, perhaps hinting that the tight end could be ready to mix into drills at some point next week. Even if Smith is able to return to action at some point over the final three games of the regular season, he'll likely find himself in a much smaller role after the Vikings added a more established tight end in T.J. Hockenson to the roster in the wake of Smith's injury.

Njoku (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

As expected, the knee issue that resulted in Njoku's reps being capped Tuesday and Wednesday won't affect his availability for Saturday. Given that he's logged a 12-88-2 receiving line on 16 through his first two games with Deshaun Watson under center, Njoku should profile as one of the top fantasy options at tight end during the Week 15 slate.

Horsted (concussion) is not on the Raiders' injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Horsted is coming off a two-game absence due to a concussion sustained in Week 12. His full participation at Wednesday's practice indicates he has cleared the league's protocols. Look for him to take on his usual role backing up Foster Moreau at tight end assuming he avoids any setbacks.

Ferguson was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a concussion sustained in Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Texans, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It was originally reported that Ferguson exited the game with a neck injury, so this is the first clarification he suffered a concussion. He will now need to clear the league's protocols in order to suit up for Dallas' Week 15 matchup with the Jaguars. If he is ultimately unable to go, Peyton Hendershot would presumably be the No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz.

Njoku (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku was listed as a limited practice participant for the first two days of practice in Week 14, just as he has been so far in Week 15. If last week is any indication, Njoku will take part in the Browns' final practice of Week 15 prep Thursday before heading into Saturday's game against the Ravens minus a designation. Given that he played 67 snaps and drew nine targets in the Week 14 loss to the Bengals, Njoku will likely handle a three-down workload once again this weekend.

Trautman was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Before the Saints went on bye Week 14, Trautman wasn't on the injury report leading up to Week 13, so he evidently picked up the ankle issue against Tampa Bay that week or at some point during Wednesday's practice. Trautman's chances to play against Atlanta in Week 15 will come into focus based on what he's able to do at practices Thursday and Friday, though he might see his target upside reduce if fellow tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle) can return after logging a limited practice Wednesday.

Johnson (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was unable to practice leading up to New Orleans' loss to Tampa Bay in Week 13, so his return to practice coming off the Saints' Week 14 bye is an encouraging sign. With the bye week giving him additional healing time, Johnson will hopefully be able to suit up Sunday against the Falcons. Fellow tight end Adam Trautman, who started in place of Johnson in Week 13, was also limited in practice Wednesday with an ankle issue.

Head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged Wednesday that it "seems doubtful" that Hurst (calf) will be able to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Taylor previously described Hurst as week-to-week, and the tight end is trending toward missing his second straight game. In Hurst's absence this past Sunday against the Browns, Mitchell Wilcox filled in as a starter and caught one of his two targets for 10 yards.

McKitty recorded a five-yard reception on his lone target in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Chargers.

Though Gerald Everett is the Chargers' starting tight end, McKitty frequently shares the field with him. He played 40 snaps on offense in Week 14, though unlike Everett -- who finished with five catches for 28 yards on eight targets -- McKitty wasn't prominently featured in the passing attack. Since earning six targets Week 10 against the 49ers, McKitty has drawn only two looks from quarterback Justin Herbert in the Chargers' subsequent four games.