NFL Player News

Hockenson (toe) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

The tight end took a step up after being limited in Wednesday's session, clearing up any concern about his availability for Sunday's game in Minnesota. With at least a touchdown or 50-plus receiving yards in each of his seven games this season, Hockenson has been a consistent fantasy producer for his managers. He'll draw a juicy matchup versus a suspect Vikings pass defense this weekend, though Hockenson may have to catch passes from Chase Daniel, who will start at quarterback if Matthew Stafford isn't able to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list when first eligible Sunday.

Thomas (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Bumping up from Wednesday's limited showing, Thomas has put himself into a position to be Washington's top tight end Sunday against the Giants, who have allowed 8.1 yards per target (eighth worst in the NFL) and two touchdowns to the position in eight games this season.

Knox (calf/illness) returned to practice Thursday, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Knox's presence at practice means he must have cleared COVID-19 protocols after testing positive for the virus prior to Week 7. Before landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Knox sat out the Bills' Week 6 loss to the Chiefs with a calf issue, so his activity in practice will still need to be monitored before his status for Sunday's game against the Seahawks is confirmed. The Bills have received very little tight end production all season, and it's reached a low point with Knox out of the lineup.

Wolf agreed to sign with the Saints' practice squad Wednesday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Wolf has spent time between the Saints and Colts this season on both practice squads, as he's failed to see regular-season action this season. Wolf will provide depth at the tight end position as he tries to make a push for a 53-man roster spot around the league.

Lewis (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Thursday's game against San Francisco.

Lewis has seen his practice reps managed by the team the past two weeks but had ultimately suited up, so this news isn't surprising. Now healthy, the veteran tight end is expected to share depth reps with Jace Sternberger behind starter Robert Tonyan.

Alie-Cox (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Alie-Cox managed to play through his lingering knee issue during Sunday's win over the Lions, so barring any setbacks, he should be good for Week 9. Fellow tight ends Jack Doyle and Trey Burton both scored versus Detroit, while Alie-Cox was limited to just three catches (on four targets) for 37 yards.

Graham was held out of practice Wednesday with knee and hamstring injuries.

Prior to Wednesday's session, Graham frequently didn't take the field for the first practice of the week in what the Bears had usually terms as veteran days off. He now has a pair of injuries attached to his name, however, but thus far, the Bears haven't suggested his availability for Sunday's game in Tennessee is in any peril. Aside from four touchdowns, Graham has only put up 29 receptions for 247 yards over 49 targets through the Bears' first eight games.

Hockenson was limited at Wednesday's practice with a toe injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

While Hockenson didn't find the end zone this past Sunday against the Colts, he otherwise had season bests across the board (seven catches for 65 yards on 10 targets). He may have been helped by Kenny Golladay's departure early in the third quarter due to a hip issue, which is expected to sideline the wideout for at least one game. One further point to note is that if Hockenson is able to gut out his toe injury this weekend at Minnesota, he may be on the receiving end of passes from Chase Daniel after Matthew Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Akins (concussion/ankle) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

Akins practiced fully for the first time since Week 4. His ability to take every rep in practice coming out of the bye week paves the way for Akins to get back on the field Sunday in Jacksonville. He'll likely be looking at a split of the tight-end snaps with Darren Fells.

Kittle was diagnosed Wednesday with a fractured cuboid bone in his foot, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

General manager John Lynch relayed that a CT scan revealed the extent of Kittle's injury, which he suffered in Sunday's loss to Seattle. After being placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Kittle was given a recovery timeline of eight weeks, but coach Kyle Shanahan noted that the tight end believes he'll only be sidelined two weeks, per Inman. In the interim, the 49ers will roll with Ross Dwelley at tight end until Jordan Reed (knee) is activated from IR, perhaps ahead of Thursday's game versus the Packers.