NFL Player News

Conklin (calf) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Conklin also was deemed a non-participant Wednesday, which gives him one more opportunity to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Dolphins. If Conklin is limited or out this weekend, Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah would be candidates to see added Week 18 tight end snaps and targets for the Jets.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After being estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walkthrough, Njoku's absence from practice both Wednesday and Thursday clouds his status for Saturday's season finale against the Ravens. If the tight end is sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would be in line to see an expanded role in Week 18.

Uzomah was placed on injured reserve by the Eagles on Wednesday.

Uzomah suffered an abdominal injury in the team's 41-7 win over the Cowboys in Week 17 and he'll now be forced to miss the team's regular-season finale and potentially the entire postseason. The tight end will finish his 2024 campaign having played 126 offensive snaps and 26 snaps on special teams over seven contests with Philadelphia, failing to record any stats.

Hurst (illness) wasn't listed Wednesday on the Chargers' initial Week 18 injury report.

Hurst was held out of this past Saturday's win over the Patriots due to an illness. However, his exclusion from Los Angeles' first injury report of this week suggests the veteran tight end has since moved past ailment. Hurst thus is on track to play in Sunday's game against Las Vegas, and he'll likely work as the team's No. 2 or 3 tight end.

Goedert (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice.

The Eagles designated Goedert for return from injured reserve Wednesday, but despite being unhindered in his first on-field work since landing on IR on Dec. 7, he doesn't seem likely to be available Sunday. Head coach Nick Sirianni has already said that many of the team's starters -- including quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) and running back Saquon Barkley -- won't play in Week 18, and Goedert presumably fits in that group, too. Still, Goedert's ability to practice after missing the minimum four games is a good sign that his return from IR is imminent, even if it doesn't happen until the wild-card round.

Johnson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Prior to each of the previous four games, Johnson endured some practice restrictions due to a foot issue, but he's nursing a new health concern heading into Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay. As a result, Johnson's status will be watched as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play this weekend.

Henry was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a foot injury.

Henry logged a season-low 30 snaps on offense in this past Saturday's 40-7 loss to the Chargers, so his limitations in practice Wednesday could stem from an issue that cropped up in that contest. The tight end's status is thus worth monitoring as Sunday's season finale against the Bills approaches. Though a loss to Buffalo would ensure that the 3-13 Patriots get the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, head coach Jerod Mayo said that he's planning on having all the team's healthy starters take the field, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Culp was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a rib injury.

Culp presumably suffered the injury during Sunday's 48-14 win over Carolina, during which he caught three of four targets for 52 yards while coming off the bench behind Payne Durham, who missed Wednesday's practice with a quadricep injury. With starter Cade Otton (knee) also not practicing, Culp has some chance at a significant role in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints.

Durham missed Wednesday's practice with a quadricep injury.

Durham filled as the Buccaneers' top tight end the past two weeks in place of Cade Otton (knee), who also missed practice Wednesday and thus appears in danger of missing a third straight game Sunday against the Saints. Devin Culp took some of the snaps from Durham in this past Sunday's 48-14 win over the Panthers, catching three passes for 52 yards but apparently suffering a rib injury along the way, as he was limited in Wednesday's practice. Practice reports Thursday and Friday should provide more clarity on Tampa Bay's tight-end room for a crucial Week 18 matchup with New Orleans.

Otton (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.

A left knee injury has sidelined Otton the last two games, and an absence from practice to kick off Week 18 prep isn't exactly a great sign that he'll be available Sunday against the Saints. Payne Durham and Devin Culp have filled in for Otton during that span, but Durham also missed Wednesday's session due to a quadricep issue, while Culp was a limited participant due to a rib concern. As such, the state of the Buccaneers' tight-end group is in flux heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints.