NFL Player News

Lewis (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

We'll have to see if the tight end ends up with an injury designation for Sunday's playoff game against the Bills, but we'd expect him to suit up this weekend, in any case. The 2006 first-rounder finished up the 2017 season with 24 catches (on 49 targets) for 318 yards and five TDs, three of which Lewis logged on Sept. 24.

Lewis (ankle) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Lewis' practice time was limited last week due to the same injury, but he ultimately suited up for a mostly meaningless regular-season finale against the Titans and played 53 snaps in the loss. With no reported aggravation to the ankle during that contest, it's likely that Lewis is just being held out Wednesday for maintenance purposes. He should be good to go for Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Bills.

Tonyan signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers on Tuesday.

Tonyan spend training camp with the Lions last summer as an undrafted rookie free agent. The 23-year-old will have a chance to complete for a roster spot come training camp at a position of weakness for Green Bay.

Barnes signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Barnes joined the Lions practice squad in late December and predictably remained there for the final game of the season. The 22-year-old will enter the team's offseason program and earn a potential roster spot in training camp.

Bowman signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chargers on Monday, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Bowman was waived by the Saints at roster cutdowns in September and was trying to make the team as a long snapper. The 23-year-old will likely be more involved at tight end in the Chargers' offseason program, but the versatility is valuable nonetheless.

Smith (concussion) practiced fully Tuesday and, barring any setbacks, will play Sunday against the Chiefs, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Smith had 18 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The Chiefs' defense allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, and with just eight targets in his last six games, Smith shouldn't be considered for fantasy matchups in the wild-card round.

Manhertz has a high-ankle sprain and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Manhertz played all 16 games for the Panthers this season, posting two receptions on four targets for 17 yards and zero touchdowns. He was used more for his run-blocking abilities, especially since No. 1 TE Greg Olsen is a stud in the pass-catching realm. Olsen and Ed Dickson are the two remaining healthy tight ends for Carolina for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Byrd caught two passes for 31 yards in the Packers' Week 17 loss to the Lions.

Byrd was promoted from the practice squad for the Packers' season finale, which allowed the rookie to notch the first two receptions of his career. He spent training camp and half of the season with the Packers, so he should get a chance to compete for a roster spot if he returns to Green Bay.

Njoku, who caught two passes for 38 yards during Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Steelers, finishes his rookie season with 32 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

Njoku and fellow tight end Seth DeValve spent much of the year splitting offensive snaps, yet Njoku showed numerous flashes that he is capable of being Cleveland's No. 1 tight end in 2018. He led the team with four touchdowns and was just one reception shy of tying for the second most. The rookie has a bright future, and his outlook will only improve if the Browns improve their offense this offseason.

The Bengals signed Orndoff to a reserve/future contract Monday, Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Orndoff finished the 2017 campaign as a member of the Cincinnati practice squad and will likely get a shot to compete for a roster spot in training camp this summer. The Pittsburgh product is still awaiting his NFL debut after going undrafted last April.