NFL Player News

Waller (hip/rest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Though Waller's reps were capped for the second day in a row, the presumption is that his limitations were maintenance-related as the Dolphins ease up on his practice load following his recent return from a hip injury. Despite playing just 16 of the Dolphins' 58 offensive snaps in his team debut in Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets, Waller made his presence felt during his time on the field with three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. With Miami losing star wideout Tyreek Hill (knee) for the season in Week 4, Waller could be in line for increased involvement in the passing attack in the games to come. For his part, Waller told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he believes he can handle a jump in his snap count in Sunday's game against the Panthers, if the coaching staff feels he's ready for that.

Sanders (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After sitting out last week's loss to the Patriots due to a right ankle sprain, Sanders may be trending toward a second straight absence this Sunday against the Dolphins. He sat out Wednesday's walk-through session and remained a spectator Thursday, leaving him with just one more opportunity to log some on-field work before the Panthers' Week 5 contest. If Sanders remains out this weekend, Tommy Tremble would be in line for another start at tight end after producing a 5-42-1 receiving line on eight targets in his team's loss to New England.

Goedert (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Since sitting out Week 2 due to a sprained knee, Goedert has been a TD machine, scoring three times while securing five of six targets for 70 yards over the last two games. The Eagles held him out of drills Wednesday due to a knee issue, but his ability to get back on the field one day later bodes well for his status in the midst of Week 5 prep. Thursday's injury report will reveal his activity level.

Njoku (knee) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice estimate, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

As was the case last week, Njoku was limited Wednesday as he manages a knee issue. But the tight end's full listing Thursday paves the way for him to be available for Sunday's game against the Vikings in London, a context in which Njoku and fellow TE Harold Fannin should both see their share of targets from rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in his first regular-season start as a pro.

Bowers (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Bowers continues to manage a knee issue, but at this stage there's no reason to believe that his status for Sunday's game against the Colts is in danger. With that in mind, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site relayed earlier Wednesday that coach Pete Carroll said that the talented tight will continue to be a point of emphasis in the team's offense even as he works through his knee issue, with Carroll adding that he believes Bowers -- who logged a 5/46/0 stat line on six targets in Week 4, while recording a 77 percent snap share -- will look much better once he sheds his knee brace.

Mayer (concussion) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Paul H. Gutierrez of Raiders.com reports.

Mayer remains in the league's concussion protocol after he was injured in Week 3. The third-year tight end missed last Sunday's loss to the Bears. Mayer has six catches for 47 scoreless yards this season.

Bates (groin) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

Bates has been sidelined for each of the team's last two games due to a groin injury, but he now appears to be ready to return to action in Week 5. The 27-year-old will be back in his role as a top reserve option behind Zach Ertz at tight end versus the Chargers on Sunday.

Adkins (concussion) did not practice Wednesday.

Adkins played 34 offensive snaps and another four on special teams in Monday night's win over the Bengals, securing two of his three targets for five yards. Adkins has minimal fantasy value.

Dissly (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Dissly, who has missed the Chargers' last two games and had sat out all six of the team's practices since the start of Week 3 prep, is thus moving in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders. The tight end will presumably need to practice fully by Friday, however, in order to avoid a Week 5 injury designation.

Goedert was held out of practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Goedert sat out Week 2 due to a sprained knee but otherwise has played in the Eagles' three other games this season, combining for a 12-114-3 line on 13 targets. He's also earned at least a 75 percent snap share on all three occasions. It's unclear if the current injury is related to the previous one, but after a DNP to begin Week 5 prep, he'll have opportunities Thursday and Friday to prove his health ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.