NFL Player News

Uzomah (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Uzomah's participation level marks no change from Wednesday, but the expectation remains that the tight end will be ready to suit up by the time Sunday's game in Kansas City arrives. He'll continue to have a clear path to the bulk of the snaps at tight end with Tyler Kroft (foot) already ruled out and Tyler Eifert (ankle) on injured reserve.

Engram (knee) is taking part in Thursday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

After playing Thursday night against the Eagles last week, the Giants reconvened two days ago to begin preparing for their Week 7 Monday night showdown with the Falcons. Engram was spotted on the field for that workout, but Thursday's session will mark the team's first official practice of the week. The Giants will reveal if Engram was a limited or full participant shortly after practice concludes, but the extra days between games should boost the tight end's odds of returning from a three-game absence due to the MCL sprain. Engram had practiced on a limited basis last week, but the quicker turnaround between games likely influenced the Giants' decision to hold him out of another game.

Kittle (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kittle was held below 75 yards for just the second time this season Week 6, corralling four of six passes for 30 yards in Monday's 33-30 loss to Green Bay. Due to his prior production, Kittle can be forgiven for a sub-optimal outing on occasion. Assuming he puts the knee injury behind him yet again, he'll face a Rams defense Sunday that has given up 8.0 yards per target but no touchdowns to tight ends through six games.

Derby (foot) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Derby has missed three consecutive games due to a foot injury, but his full participation in practice to begin the week suggests he has moved past the issue. Though the 27-year-old is listed as the Dolphins' starting tight end on the depth chart, it's unclear if he still holds that role after Nick O'Leary's impressive showing (four catches for 49 yards and one touchdown on four targets) in the Week 6 overtime win over the Bears. Rookie second-round pick Mike Gesicki lingers as another option at the position that could threaten Derby's snap count.

Uzomah was limited at practice Wednesday due to a shoulder issue, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

That he practiced in any capacity Wednesday would seem to suggest that Uzomah will be good to go Sunday night against the Chiefs, but his status will nonetheless be worth monitoring in the coming days. With Tyler Kroft out with a foot injury and Tyler Eifert (ankle) on injured reserve, Uzomah is poised to work as the Bengals' top tight end for the foreseeable future. He's coming off his busiest game of the season in the Week 6 loss to the Steelers, during which he hauled in six of seven targets for 54 yards.

Andrews caught two of four targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 21-0 win over the Titans.

In a deep Baltimore tight-end room, the rookie third-round pick is arguably the most intriguing target, leading the crowd with 155 receiving yards and the only receiving touchdown of the bunch through six weeks. He made some big plays a few weeks ago against Denver and takes on a Saints defense Sunday ranked 30th in the league in opponent yardage per reception at 12.7.

Hurst did not haul in his lone target and did not gain any yardage on his lone carry during Sunday's 21-0 win over the Titans.

Hurst still has some work to do to work his way into a deep tight-end room after missing the first few weeks of the season with a foot injury. Sunday's matchup against the Saints' 30th-ranked pass defense looks promising for the rookie pass catcher, but it'd be difficult to place much faith in him until he proves himself a bit.

Coach Pete Carroll said Vannett will receive some "special work" on his back during the Seahawks' Week 7 bye, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports. "We think he'll be back [Week 8 at Detroit] but it is something we're monitoring along the way," Carroll added.

In the middle of training camp in August, Carroll mentioned that Vannett played through a recurring back injury for most of his first two seasons in the NFL. The issue reared its head last week and actually forced the tight end to miss Sunday's win against the Raiders. Vannett's response to the treatment likely will determine whether he's cleared to play after the bye week. Even if Vannett is available, fellow TE Ed Dickson (quadriceps) may be activated from the reserve/non-football injury list, so there could be competition for targets.

Smythe played in just five offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Bears.

Smythe was dealing with an ankle injury late in the week, but he was ultimately cleared to play. Smythe, however, is currently buried on the Dolphins' depth chart and will likely continue seeing very limited work unless more injuries hit the position.

Everett caught two of four targets for 24 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Broncos.

The sophomore tight end continues to play fewer offensive snaps than peer Tyler Higbee, with the latter playing 55 to Everett's 21. However, Everett has been more involved in the passing attack with five catches for 48 yards the past two weeks. The next step for the South Alabama product is to showcase the big-play ability -- 15.3 yards per reception -- he flashed as a rookie. Everett remains a long way from being a reliable fantasy option.