NFL Player News

Whiteheart was a limited practice participant Tuesday due to a knee injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Whiteheart logged a season-high 31 offensive snaps Sunday versus Miami and appears to have picked up a knee injury. His increased opportunity came as a result of starting tight end David Njoku missing the contest due to a knee issue of his own. Njoku didn't practice Tuesday, leaving Jordan Akins and Brenden Bates as the two Browns tight ends not currently dealing with an injury.

Kolar (forearm) was a full participant in practice Tuesday.

Kolar was designated to return to practice Monday after spending Baltimore's past four games on IR. Head coach John Harbaugh stated Monday that the team is hopeful the third-year tight end will be able to be activated ahead of Saturday's matchup versus Cleveland, and Kolar's full participation Tuesday is a good sign that he will indeed be able to play. If he does suit up Saturday, Kolar will likely work as the team's third tight end behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Sample was deemed a non-participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough due to a groin issue, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

This is the first word of the tight end dealing with a groin issue, and it's currently unclear how severe the injury is. Sample handled about his usual workload this past Saturday against Denver, logging 51 offensive snaps and recording one catch on one target for three yards. Sample isn't typically a big part of the Bengals' air attack, but his effective blocking would be missed if he can't suit up Saturday versus Pittsburgh.

Hudson (knee) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Hudson has missed Cincinnati's past two contests while dealing with a knee injury. Though the Bengals held a walkthrough Tuesday, Hudson's designation as limited is at least a step in the right direction, as he didn't practice at all last week. If Hudson can return to game action Saturday against Pittsburgh, he could get a bump in playing time, as fellow tight end Drew Sample was estimated as a DNP on Tuesday due to a groin injury.

Mayer caught one of two targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints.

Mayer logged 75 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps, but he managed to catch only one pass while rookie tight end Brock Bowers posted a 7-77-0 receiving line on seven targets, setting multiple season records in the process. Mayer's snap share figures to remain elevated against the Chargers in Las Vegas' finale, but playing time hasn't equated to production for him over the past three weeks.

LaPorta brought in six of eight targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 40-34 win over the 49ers on Monday night.

LaPorta finished second in receptions and receiving yards while also tying for the runner-up spot in targets for the Lions on the night. The second-year tight end recorded a touchdown for the second straight game when he brought in a six-yard pass from Jared Goff early in the third quarter, and LaPorta now has at least four catches in four straight contests for the first time this season. LaPorta once again should play a key role in a Week 18 home matchup against the Vikings that will determine the winner of both the NFC North and NFC's No. 1 seed.

Kittle corralled all eight of his targets for 112 yards in Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions.

Kittle was able to crack the century mark in receiving yards in consecutive games and for the third time over his last four appearances. Monday's strong showing also propelled the superstar tight end to his fourth 1,000-yard season in eight years as a pro. Kittle will look to put a bow on a stellar fantasy campaign Week 18 against the Cardinals, but he may be without the services of starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) after the latter exited Monday's loss late due to injury.

Vannett recorded one reception on one target for eight yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jaguars.

Vannett played a minimal role on offense, as he was on the field for just 12 offensive snaps. However, he made the most of his role and lone target in the game by hauling in a wide-open target from eight yards away to find the end zone. Vannett now has 15 receptions on the season, three of which have gone for touchdowns.

Higgins gathered in two of three targets for 23 yards during Saturday's 13-9 loss at the Rams.

The Cardinals deployed three tight ends, but Trey McBride continued to dominate snaps (73 of 79) and targets (16, which resulted in a 12-123-1 line) ahead of Higgins (22 and three, respectively) and Tip Reiman (24 and zero). Since the team's Week 11 bye, Higgins' snap share has ranged from 19 to 36 percent, but his cumulative 6-56-0 line on nine targets over the last six contests has left much to be desired. He'll look to put one last stamp on his second pro season in Week 18 against the 49ers.

Shenker reverted to the Raiders' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Shenker was elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row ahead of Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints, failing to record any stats while playing four snaps on offense and 20 snaps on special teams. The tight end seems likely to be added to the active roster again for the team's regular-season finale in Week 18 against the Chargers.