NFL Player News

Hurst (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Hurst wasn't able to advance beyond limited participation in practice this week, but the tight end is still hopeful to make his NFL regular-season debut when Sunday arrives, according to Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site. The Ravens may be more inclined to take a cautious approach with the rookie first-round pick, however, especially with Baltimore getting quality performances this season from its other options at tight end. Even once he's cleared to suit up, Hurst may struggle to steal snaps from the likes of Nick Boyle, Maxx Williams and Mark Andrews, all of whom have surpassed 100 receiving yards through the first four weeks.

Derby (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby was unable to practice this week and is now slated to miss his second consecutive tilt after being ruled out for a Week 4 loss to the Patriots. Mike Gesicki should be in line for an uptick in volume at tight end, but the rookie saw just two targets in 41 snaps against New England.

Engram (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Engram progressed to straight-line running this week, but he still hasn't returned to practice and will have a tough time making it back for a Thursday game against the Eagles in Week 6. Rhett Ellison will fill in as the top tight end Sunday versus the Panthers, with slot receiver Sterling Shepard also a prime candidate to benefit in terms of target volume. Engram's recovery timeline was estimated at 2-to-4 weeks after he suffered an MCL sprain Sept. 23.

Hill is expected to retain a similar role despite Mark Ingram's return from suspension in Week 5, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Hill has been a do-it-all quarterback/special teams specialist and notched his first career reception and completion in Sunday's win over the Giants. The 28-year-old saw 15 offensive snaps Sunday, more than double the amount of offensive snaps he saw through the first three weeks of the season. Over the last two games, Hill has seven carries for 67 yards in the last two games.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that he expects Higbee (knee) to take the field Sunday in Seattle, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Per Hammond, Higbee has yet to practice since injuring his knee last Thursday against the Vikings. McVay must have some degree of confidence that a focus on rehab will be enough for Higbee to be ready for the Rams' upcoming visit to the Pacific Northwest. That said, Higbee would allay some concern about his availability with a return to practice Friday.

Hollister (chest) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Colts.

As is Rob Gronkowski, but if he ends up being limited by his ankle injury at all, Hollister gives the Patriots another pass-catching option at the tight end position.

Graham (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Graham has replicated his practice participation from a week ago, when he received a "maintenance" day for a knee injury Wednesday before returning Thursday in a limited fashion. He was removed from the injury report entirely Friday and went on to record his first touchdown in a Packers uniform this past Sunday against the Bills. If he's cleared for Sunday's game at Detroit, he'll take on a Lions defense that has surrendered 8.0 YPT and two touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Hollister (chest) is expected to be active Thursday night against the Colts, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to Rob Gronkowski, but if he ends up being slowed by his ankle injury at all, Hollister gives the Patriots another pass-catching option out of the tight end position.

Derby (foot) wasn't present for Thursday's practice, Chris Perkins of The Athletic reports.

Derby has opened Week 5 preparations with back-to-back absences from practice, a development that doesn't bode well for his odds of suiting up Sunday in Cincinnati. Unless Derby takes part in Friday's practice to offer more optimism about his prospects heading into the weekend, rookie Mike Gesicki will likely be in store for a second straight game as the Dolphins' primary tight end.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Graham (knee) would participate in Thursday's practice, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

McCarthy didn't specify what Graham's level of involvement in the session would be, but more clarity on that front should arrive later Thursday when the team releases its practice report. Even if Graham faces some restrictions in practice, it would still amount to a positive step forward for the tight end, who was held out Wednesday for maintenance purposes. It's expected that Graham will be ready to go by the time Sunday's game against the Lions arrives, and he could be in store for a more substantial target load than normal due to the battered state of the Green Bay receiving corps. Each of the Packers' top three wideouts -- Davante Adams (calf), Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Geronimo Allison (concussion) -- are expected to go down as non-participants in Thursday's practice.