NFL Player News

Brown (concussion) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.

Brown sat out last week's loss to the Bears due to the concussion, but he appears on track for a return. Brown has accumulated seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown through 10 games, chipping as a reserve tight end and on special teams. Now healthy, expect Brown to assume his usual No. 2 role at tight end behind starter Jordan Akins for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Hooper (neck) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hooper sat out Monday's loss to the Ravens, but his presence on the field in some capacity to begin Week 15 bodes well for his chances of rejoining the lineup this weekend versus the Giants. Harrison Bryant and David Njoku would both likely notice downturns in usage if Hooper is able to give it a go in New York.

Swaim (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Swaim scored his first touchdown of the season and the second of his six-year career in last week's win over Jacksonville, but it's possible the tight end also picked up an ankle injury later in the contest. He'll hope to raise his practice participation level as the week unfolds ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Lions.

Henry (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Raiders after practicing fully Wednesday.

Henry's practice participation revved up as the week progressed, and the Chargers' top tight end should be all systems go against Las Vegas. He'll look to top his modest output of four catches for 33 yards from the Week 9 meeting between these AFC West foes.

Fant (illness) practiced fully Wednesday, putting him on track to play Saturday against the Bills, Troy Renck of ABC Denver7 reports.

Fant was listed as a non-participant on Denver's practice estimate Tuesday, but he seems to have fully recovered the stomach ailment that forced him out early in last week's win over the Panthers. He draws a favorable Week 15 matchup versus a Buffalo defense that has allowed the most catches (75) and second-most yards (833) to tight ends this season, along with seven touchdowns.

Alie-Cox (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.

Alie-Cox missed part of last week's win over the Raiders after hurting his knee in the first quarter, but he later returned to the contest. Fellow tight end Trey Burton also missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, so Jack Doyle could enjoy some breathing room in the normally crowded Colts tight end rotation if either or both of Alie-Cox and Burton is unable to play Sunday against the Texans.

Gesicki (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Gesicki is expected to miss time due to the shoulder injury he picked up in the fourth quarter of last weekend's loss to the Chiefs, so it doesn't come as any sort of surprise to see him sitting out practice to begin Week 15. The results of Gesicki's recent MRI could be known within the next few days, but all signs currently point to him sitting out Sunday's game against the Patriots. If that's the case, Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe would likely split work at tight end.

The 49ers designated Kittle (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

The transaction makes Kittle eligible to practice, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back for Sunday's must-win game in Dallas. In fact, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area relays that Kittle isn't expected to play this week, though it's possible the tight end's outlook changes if he gets out on the practice field and looks healthy. There's also a decent chance Kittle doesn't play again this season, especially if the Niners lose to Dallas and officially fall out of the wild-card hunt.

Daniels (ankle) was designated to return from IR on Wednesday.

Daniels will be eligible to return to practice as a result of this move, which also opens a three-week window for the Cardinals to put the tight end back on the roster. He wasn't a critical part of the offense prior to sustaining his ankle injury, catching just six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in nine games.

Hooper (neck) will participate in practice Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper sat out Cleveland's last two practices before being made inactive ahead of Monday's loss to the Ravens. The tight end's return to practice Wednesday in either limited or full capacity has him trending in the right direction in advance of this weekend's contest against the Giants.