NFL Player News

Okwuegbunam (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Okwuegbunam dealt with a knee injury earlier in the season, so it's hard to gauge how much concern to have over his limited participation, as it's possible this was more of a maintenance decision. Despite being second on the tight end positional depth chart, Okwuegbunam has been a steady contributor for the Broncos this season, notching 31 catches on 36 targets for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

Bryant (ankle) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Unless Bryant is able to practice fully Thursday, he's likely to carry an injury designation ahead of Saturday's game against the Packers. However, unless David Njoku's listed knee issue is something that might affect his Week 16 status, Bryant's fantasy upside will be capped, given that Austin Hooper was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Parham (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session.

Parham was stretchered off the field in Thursday's loss to Kansas City and was diagnosed with a concussion after the game. He'll likely need to practice in some capacity this week if he hopes to play Sunday against Houston.

The Saints placed Trautman (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Trautman's placement on the list was the result of a positive test of the virus, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He now may be in danger of missing Monday's game against the Dolphins, and he joins fellow tight end Juwan Johnson on the COVID-19 list after the latter landed there Tuesday. The Saints have Garrett Griffin (hamstring) and Dylan Soehner (undisclosed) on injured reserve, leaving Nick Vannett as the only healthy tight end on the active roster at the moment.

Ertz (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

This marks the third practice report in a row dating back to last week in which the Cardinals have listed Ertz as limited due to a hamstring issue. He wasn't worse for wear this past Sunday at Detroit, gathering in six off 11 targets for 74 yards. Thursday's report will relay whether he heads into Saturday's game versus the Colts with an injury designation.

Njoku is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a knee issue, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The seemingly minor knee injury is likely less relevant than Austin Hooper's return Wednesday from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Njoku played every snap on offense in Monday's 16-14 loss to the Raiders, but he'll likely be back in a part-time role this Saturday in Green Bay.

Rader (hip) fully participated in Wednesday's practice session, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Rader was unavailable for Sunday's win over Tennessee due to a hip injury, but he appears to have moved past the issue ahead of Week 16. The tight end has had minimal playing time this year but could see an uptick in playing time Sunday against Kansas City if Pat Freiermuth (concussion) is unavailable.

Sample didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session due to a foot injury, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Sample secured his lone target for two yards in Sunday's win over Denver, and he apparently sustained a foot injury in the contest. It's not yet clear whether the injury will prevent him from suiting up Sunday against the Ravens.

Seattle placed Dissly on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The 25-year-old was placed on the list after testing positive for the virus, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Gerald Everett and/or Colby Parkinson should pick up more snaps if Dissly isn't available this Sunday against Chicago. The 265-pound tight end typically plays around half or more of Seattle's offensive snaps, but he hasn't seen more than four targets in a game all season.

Freiermuth (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice session, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Freiermuth was unable to return to Sunday's win over the Titans after he took a hard hit in the third quarter, and he was placed in the league's concussion protocol after the game. If he hopes to play Sunday against Kansas City, he'll presumably need to return to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday. If the 23-year-old is unavailable in Week 16, Zach Gentry should serve as the Steelers' top tight end.