NFL Player News

Kittle (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The same goes for wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders (ribs) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder), with each of the three sporting no-contact jerseys at Friday's practice. Kittle was a non-participant Wednesday after missing the past two games, but his ability to close out the week with back-to-back limited practices hints at a legitimate shot to return for the Sunday night battle between NFC heavyweights. Fantasy managers hoping for a return would be wise to have another option available from the primetime games, with potential choices including 49ers teammate Ross Dwelley, Packers TE Jimmy Graham and Rams TE Gerald Everett. Desperation options include Nick Boyle and Hayden Hurst from the Ravens or Tyler Higbee from the Rams.

Njoku (wrist) won't be activated off IR for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who's been out due to a wrist injury that he suffered in Week 2, returned to practice Wednesday, but the Browns will elect to give the tight end another week to ready himself for the team's Dec. 1 game against the Steelers. Upon his return, Njoku should reclaim his status as Cleveland's top pass-catching threat at his position, a context that gives the 2017 first-rounder some stretch-run fantasy value.

Hooper (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

An early report suggested Hooper would be out for about a month with an MCL sprain, and his absence now has been confirmed for a second straight week, with the tight end still unable to practice. Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker figure to share Week 12 snaps, while Hooper's usual target workload could be directed toward the team's wide receivers.

Hooper (knee) was not present for Friday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper's status continues to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, but a report last week indicated he would likely be out a month as a result of his injury, so it should not come as much surprise that he is still unable to practice. Hooper has not been ruled out for Week 12 just yet, but it seems likely he will miss a second straight game.

Engram (foot) will not play Sunday against the Bears, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

It was reported earlier this week that Engram had a chance to play Sunday, but he did not make the required progress in his recovery over the last two weeks and now will miss a second straight game. Fellow tight end Rhett Ellison has also been ruled out for Week 12, which leaves Scott Simonson as the likely starter at the position in Sunday's contest. Simonson is more blocker than pass catcher, though, so the targets Engram usually sees could be mainly distributed among the wide receiver corps.

Alie-Cox wasn't targeted during Thursday's 20-17 loss to the Texans.

Alie-Cox suited up through a thumb injury for Thursday's divisional clash, but he was relegated to a depth role with both Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle active. The 26-year-old figures to play his usual role as a blocker against the Titans in Week 13.

Akins caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Thursday's 20-17 win over the Colts in Week 12.

Akins had more targets than starter Darren Fells for just the third time this season, and it was the ninth time in 11 games he's finished with fewer than 30 yards. Tight end value is closely linked to red-zone opportunities, and, in that respect, Fells (10) holds the advantage over Akins (five). Both players face more competition for snaps now that Jordan Thomas is healthy.

Alie-Cox (thumb) is active for Thursday night's game against the Texans.

Alie-Cox might see some extra work in this one even with Eric Ebron (ankle) active, as Ebron missed a couple days of practice this week. Jack Doyle figures to see the bulk of the work ahead of Alie-Cox, anyway.

Kittle (knee/ankle) officially was a limited practice participant Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle was seen wearing a blue non-contact jersey in the part of the session open the media, and his ensuing activity was enough to warrant a "limited" listing. The development marks the first indication that coach Kyle Shanahan's hopes for Kittle will come true this weekend (i.e. he returns to action). First, though, Kittle will have another chance to up the ante and potentially practice fully Friday, at which point the 49ers will hone in on a designation for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Hooper (knee) was held out of practice Thursday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Despite failing to take the field yet this week, Hooper has one more opportunity to do so before the Falcons perhaps make a decision on his Week 12 availability. Another absence from Hooper on Sunday against the Bucs would thrust Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker into increased roles for a second straight game.