NFL Player News

Akins caught three of four targets for 38 yards in Thursday's 24-19 win over Pittsburgh in Week 12.

Akins continued a renaissance in a Jameis Winston-led offense. The outing was his fourth in the last five games in which he was targeted four times. The lone blemish Thursday was a drop on a play that looked like he had a clear path to the end zone if he secured the ball. David Njoku remains the clear No. 1 at tight end, but he had an off night in the wind and snow of Cleveland, leading him to haul in just one of his five targets.

Njoku brought in one of five targets for nine yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Browns' 24-19 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Njoku's inefficient night could have been much better had he reeled in a would-be touchdown pass from Jameis Winston early in the fourth quarter that hit the veteran tight end right in the hands before slipping away. Njoku partly made up for it with a leaping two-point conversion grab two plays later following a Winston touchdown run. Njoku's reception total tied a season low, while his yardage total was his sparsest of the campaign. However, he should have nowhere to go but up in a Week 13 road matchup against the Broncos on Monday night, Dec. 2 as long as the weather is better than the blizzard-like conditions Thursday's contest was primarily played in.

Fant (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

This marks Fant's first notable on-field work since Oct. 30 as he recovers from a groin injury that has sidelined him for Seattle's last two games. He may have to log a full practice Friday in order to emerge from Week 12 prep without a designation. In any case, if Fant is inhibited or sidelined Sunday against the Cardinals AJ Barner would be the biggest beneficiary among Seahawks tight ends.

Kittle (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle maintained his activity level for a second day in a row and in a fourth straight session going back to last week due to hamstring irritation that sidelined him for this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. No matter, he relayed to David Lombardi of SFStandard.com on Wednesday that he intends to return to action Sunday in Green Bay. The 49ers can confirm as much Friday when they post their final injury report of the week, but a decision also could come down to about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Sinnott (illness) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday's injury report.

Sinnott was limited in Wednesday's session due to an illness, but he appears to be over the issue as he was able to log a full practice Thursday. The rookie second-round pick has logged three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown over his last five outings, though he has failed to see a target across the Commanders' last two games.

The Browns elevated Whiteheart from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

With Geoff Swaim ruled out for Thursday's game due to a concussion, the Browns will replenish their tight-end room by elevating Whiteheart, who will serve as the Browns' No. 3 tight end behind David Njoku and Jordan Akins.

Hooper (neck) has been removed from the Patriots' Week 12 injury report.

Hooper was limited at practice Wednesday, but with his removal from the injury report a day later, the tight end has been cleared to face Miami on Sunday. Though Hooper works in a time share that favors fellow TE Hunter Henry, he's recorded 3-4 catches in four of his last five contests, a pace that puts him on the radar in deeper formats, especially with six teams on bye this week.

Ferguson (concussion) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.

Ferguson has yet to make any notable progress through the protocol for head injuries after sustaining a concussion in the first quarter of Monday's eventual loss to the Texans. Coach Mike McCarthy relayed Tuesday that Ferguson is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game in Washington, and the Cowboys could confirm as much once they post their final practice report Friday. Fellow TE Luke Schoonmaker would stand to benefit if Ferguson is sidelined this weekend.

Johnson (back) practiced in full Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Johnson logged his first uncapped session since Week 9 prep as he tended to a back injury, but he still suited up in New York's last game Week 10 against the Panthers in Munich, Germany, gathering in four of six targets for 37 yards. The team may be welcoming back WR Darius Slayton (concussion) to the lineup Sunday versus the Buccaneers, which likely would move Johnson down the pecking order among Giants pass catchers.

Oliver (ankle/wrist) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Emily Leiker of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

With two straight absences from practice to begin Week 12 prep, Oliver could be facing an uphill battle to suit up Sunday against the Bears after spraining his left ankle in the Vikings' Week 11 win over the Titans. If Oliver is sidelined in Chicago this weekend, T.J. Hockenson would likely benefit from a boost in playing time after logging snap shares between 45 and 46 percent in his first three games since being activated from the PUP list Oct. 25.