Bates caught four of five targets for 48 yards over a combined nine regular-season games for Houston and Cleveland in 2025.

Bates spent the first half of the season with the Texans before latching on with the Browns for the second half. While Cleveland often targeted its tight ends, most of those went to Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee). Bates will become an exclusive rights free agent and can be brought back for one year at the league minimum.

Whiteheart had two catches on six targets for four yards over 17 regular-season games in 2025.

Whiteheart spent the entire season on the Browns' 53-man roster as the team's third tight end. Cleveland's tight ends turned out to be major targets, but he was never a factor in the passing attack, even in the final few games when injuries hit both David Njoku (knee) and Harold Fannin (groin). Whiteheart enters restricted free agency this offseason.

Whyle logged five catches (on six targets) for 36 yards and a touchdown across eight regular-season games with the Packers in 2025.

Whyle spent the first half of the season on the Packers' practice squad after failing to make the Titans' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. There wasn't a path to playing time for the third-year tight end until Tucker Kraft tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Panthers, which prompted the Packers to sign Whyle to the active roster in early November to serve as the team's TE2 behind Luke Musgrave. Whyle didn't see more than one target in any of his eight regular-season appearances, serving mostly as a blocker on offense. He will have the ability to test the waters during the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Musgrave played just two offensive snaps and was not targeted during Green Bay's regular-season finale against the Vikings.

Musgrave has operated as Green Bay's top tight end since Tucker Kraft (ACL) suffered a season-ending injury Week 9. His receiving production has been underwhelming, however, and despite suiting up for all 17 regular-season games, Musgrave has totaled just 24 catches for 252 yards (on 31 targets) without a single touchdown. He surpassed 50 receiving yards in just one of those 17 appearances. Musgrave will continue to handle the No. 1 tight end role during Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Bears.

Calcaterra (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday.

Calcaterra did not practice Wednesday, but he appears to be making progress ahead of Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the 49ers. Meanwhile, top tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) has logged back-to-back limited practices after having sat out Week 18. It appears both TEs have a solid chance of being available for Sunday's contest, and Friday's practice report will officially reveal whether either Calcaterra or Goedert are assigned an official injury tag.

Kittle (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle returned from a one-game absence this past Saturday against the Seahawks and handled a massive 95 percent snap share, but the results in the box score (5-29-0 on seven targets) were minimal. He's operated with practice restrictions so far this week due to the mid-to-low ankle sprain that sidelined him Week 17, giving him one more chance to practice in full ahead of Sunday's wild-card game at Philadelphia.

Goedert (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

After missing the Eagles' Week 18 loss to the Commanders due to a knee injury, Goedert has put together back-to-back capped sessions to begin this week. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's wild-card game against the 49ers. Goedert finished the 2025 regular season with career highs in catches (60) and TD receptions (11) while also accumulating 591 yards and 82 targets in 15 contests.

Ferguson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card round game against the Panthers after being a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News reports.

Ferguson upgraded to limited participation Thursday after a pair of practice absences, but the rookie remains uncertain to make his playoff debut Sunday at Carolina. Tyler Higbee (ankle) practiced without limitations Thursday and doesn't have an injury designation, so Higbee and Colby Parkinson are in line to lead a Rams tight end room that also includes Davis Allen and Nick Vannett. Higbee, Parkinson and Allen all played at least 64 percent of offensive snaps in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals, which Ferguson sat out due to the latter's hamstring injury.

Higbee (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's wild-card game in Carolina, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Higbee kicked off the week listed as limited on injury reports Tuesday and Wednesday due to the ankle issue that sidelined him Weeks 12-17, but he ended it with a full practice Thursday, paving the way for him to play in the Rams' playoff opener. In his return from injured reserve this past Sunday against the Cardinals, he ranked third among L.A. tight ends in snap share (64 percent) but still put up 91 yards and one touchdown on five catches (six targets). With rookie TE Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) questionable for Saturday, Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen appear poised to handle most of the reps at the position this weekend, even if Ferguson is active.

Kincaid (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Kincaid also was limited Wednesday, but at this stage there's nothing to suggest that he won't be available for Sunday's playoff opener against the Jaguars. Either way, Friday's final injury report is set to clarify whether the Bills' top tight end approaches the contest with an injury designation.