NFL Player News

James (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

James is trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Bears approaches, but we'll have to see if he draws an official questionable designation for the contest come Friday, or is simply removed from the Steelers' Week 3 injury report.

Gathers is still in the concussion protocol, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gathers was placed on injured reserve to start the season after suffering a concussion in mid-August. The concussion is apparently a fairly serious one, as the former Baylor basketball star is yet to step back onto the practice field since suffering from the head injury. With an injury this serious, the Cowboys will likely remain very cautious with the young tight end, who displayed plenty of promise prior to getting hurt.

Engram (concussion) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

As a precautionary measure, Engram was placed in the concussion protocol, where he remains embedded. He sustained his activity level for a second straight practice Thursday, but he also continued to don a non-contact jersey. Due to the murky nature of head injuries, he's a tossup to suit up Sunday in Philadelphia, which could force Rhett Ellison and Shane Smith into more prominent roles in the offense.

Kittle (hip) is expected to be available for Thursday's game versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kittle has been afflicted by injuries in his brief time in the NFL, with a hip issue containing the rookie to a DNP/limited/limited practice regimen during Week 3 prep. Assuming he's active, he may not match his offensive snap count (92 percent) from the 49ers' first two games. No matter, he'll have an opportunity to produce against a Rams defense that has allowed tight ends to gather in nine of 11 targets this season.

Tomlinson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Tomlinson hasn't practiced since sustaining the injury in the season opener against the Bills. Jordan Leggett (knee) also failed practice Wednesday, and if both remain out in Week 3 against the Dolphins, Will Tye and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is back from suspension, will likely share the snaps at tight end.

Everett (thigh) was limited at Wednesday's practice and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game in San Francisco.

Everett has thus far made the most of his role as the Rams' No. 2 tight end, parlaying four targets into four catches for a team-high 134 receiving yards. That production wouldn't be sustainable in his current role even if he were completely healthy, but he's at least making a case to eventually push Tyler Higbee for the top spot on the depth chart. Everett's inability to log a full practice during the week suggests he could be a game-day decision Thursday.

Kittle (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Rams, Cam Inman of CSN Bay Area reports.

After being held out of Monday's practice, Kittle managed limited participation in sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, likely setting him up to play Week 3. He played through the same injury the past two weeks, catching seven of eight targets for 40 yards while playing 92 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps.

James (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

James hurt his ankle during Sunday's 26-9 win over the Vikings, but that didn't stop him from playing 96 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps. Fellow tight end Vance McDonald, who missed the first two games with a back injury, wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report. McDonald will likely take over as the starter if James isn't ready for the Week 3 game in Chicago.

Engram was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Engram was nonetheless listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's practice, which is unusual for a player that was just placed in the concussion protocol. While no injury was reported after Monday's 24-10 loss to the Lions, the rookie tight end likely suffered his concussion at some point during the contest. Engram was one of the Giants' few bright spots in that game, catching four of seven targets for 49 yards and a score. Should he end up missing the Giants' Week 3 game in Philadelphia, Jerell Adams or Shane Smith would likely fill in as the top pass-catching tight end. Starter Rhett Ellison primarily is used as a run blocker.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that Graham (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Liz Matthews of USA Today reports.

Graham's injury has evolved from a "banged knee" to a "sore ankle" to its current standing as "an ankle sprain," per Carroll. The tight end's downturn in health comes on the heels of sparse production (four receptions on nine targets for nine yards) through two games, during which the Seahawks have produced the sixth-fewest points (21) in the league. Until the offense gets on the same page and Graham maintains a modicum of health, he'll be seriously devalued when compared with his ranking among tight ends heading into the campaign.