NFL Player News

Schultz didn't practice Wednesday due to knee and shoulder injuries, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Per Warren, Schultz didn't appear to be hurt at any point in the Texans' Week 8 win over the 49ers and played until the game's final snap. Meanwhile, coach DeMeco Ryans noted Wednesday that the team is expecting the tight end "back as the week goes on...he's doing well, progressing just fine.'' Assuming Schultz is available Sunday against the Broncos, he could be working alongside wideouts Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring), who both returned to limited practices Wednesday.

Bowers (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Bowers last saw game action in Week 4, but following the Raiders' bye week, the tight end is poised to return to the team's lineup Sunday against the Jaguars. Per Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com, coach Pete Carroll noted Wednesday that Bowers has looked great of late and has been working at full speed, while the star tight end himself said he's "ready to roll" ahead of Week 9 action. In four games this season, Bowers (who caught 112 passes as a rookie in 2024) compiled a 19/225/0 receiving line on 27 targets.

Freiermuth (quadriceps) did not practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Freiermuth appears to have picked up a quad injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Packers in Week 8, in which he secured three of four targets for 14 yards and briefly left the field in the third quarter. That the veteran tight end was able to return to action versus Green Bay is encouraging as to his chances of being cleared to suit up versus the Colts on Sunday. If Freiermuth were to miss any time, however, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington would stand to benefit from a slight uptick in target consolidation to the tight end position.

Okonkwo (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Okonkwo put together a solid performance during Tennessee's loss to the Colts in Week 8, securing four of five targets for 53 yards, but he appears to have picked up a foot injury in the process. The starting tight end will have two more chances to upgrade to full practice reps ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. If Okonkwo is limited in any capacity versus Los Angeles, or even unavailable, rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm will stand to see a notable uptick in opportunities.

Pitts was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

It's a new injury after Pitts handled his normal workload in a 34-10 loss to Miami on Sunday, catching each of his nine targets for 59 yards while handling a 92 percent snap share and 100 percent route share. WR Drake London (hip), WR Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and QB Michael Penix (knee) also were limited in practice Wednesday.

Hill (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and is ruled out for Thursday's game against the Ravens, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill will miss a second consecutive game due to an ankle injury, the severity of which has also prevented him from practicing in any capacity. With Hill unavailable versus Baltimore, Tanner Conner will be positioned to start at tight end for the Dolphins while Greg Dulcich handles No. 2 duties. Hill's next opportunity to get back on the field will arrive Sunday, Nov. 9 versus the Bills in Week 10.

Schultz (undisclosed) isn't practicing Wednesday but is expected to return later this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

He was listed with back and shoulder injuries last week but was cleared to play Friday on the final injury report. Schultz then played into the fourth quarter of a 26-15 win over the 49ers, though he appeared to be in pain and briefly left the game at one point. He still managed a 77 percent route share, tied for second on the team, while catching two of three targets for 24 yards. It sounds like Schultz is banged up but still expected to play this Sunday against the Broncos.

Kmet (back) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

This marks Kmet's first on-field work since he sustained a back injury Week 7 against the Saints that resulted in the first absence of his six-year career this past Sunday in Baltimore. Getting back on the practice field Wednesday generally is a sign of progress, but he may need to get back to all activity Thursday and/or Friday to avoid a designation entirely ahead of Sunday's contest at Cincinnati.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Wednesday that Oliver will likely be sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Lions due to a foot sprain, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old was feared to have sustained a long-term injury in Minnesota's Week 8 loss to the Chargers, but X-rays confirmed the issue to be a foot sprain. Although Oliver is expected to miss the Week 9 contest in Detroit, he could return for the Week 10 matchup against the Ravens. While he's likely sidelined Sunday, expect Ben Yurosek to operate the Vikings' No. 2 tight end.

Giants coach Brian Daboll said Bellinger (neck) will not practice Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Bellinger will not practice due to a neck injury sustained during New York's loss to Philadelphia in Week 8. If Bellinger's injury forces him to sit out versus the 49ers on Sunday, No. 1 tight end Theo Johnson will figure to take on an increased workload. With rookie running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) and top wideout Malik Nabers (knee - ACL) both out for the year, the Giants' tight ends corps could become a larger factor on offense going forward.