NFL Player News

Johnson was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a back injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

On the heels of New York's Week 11 bye, Johnson is still dealing with the back issue that capped his practice reps prior to the team's last game against the Panthers in Munich on Nov. 10. He managed to play 69 of 75 offensive snaps (92 percent) in that contest en route to hauling in four of six targets for 37 yards. Considering the health concern is persisting, Johnson's status will be monitored as the week continues to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday versus the Buccaneers.

Kittle (hamstring) relayed his intention to return to action Week 12, saying he'll "for sure" play Sunday at Green Bay, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

Kittle missed this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks due to hamstring irritation, but he's slated to be limited at Wednesday's practice, as head coach Kyle Shanahan told Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. That would mark Kittle's third capped session in a row dating back to last week, and he'll have two more chances to get back to full participation this week before the 49ers need to make a decision regarding whether or not he'll carry a designation into Sunday's contest.

Sinnott (was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an illness.

The rookie tight end from Kansas State has yet to miss a game this season, catching all three of his targets for 18 yards and one touchdown while playing 195 offensive snaps. He's expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Cowboys unless the illness prevents him from practicing Thursday or Friday.

LaPorta (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice.

LaPorta sustained an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during a Week 10 win at Houston and wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's win over the Jaguars. With a full listing on the Lions' first practice report of Week 12, he's upholding head coach Dan Campbell's comment from earlier Wednesday, when he told Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net that LaPorta was trending toward returning to action Sunday in Indianapolis. Still, Campbell also called LaPorta "questionable to above," so the tight end may need to log a full practice Thursday or Friday in order to be truly in the clear for Week 12 action.

Hooper was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a neck injury, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Hooper is tending to an injury after playing 39 of the Patriots' 76 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams. The tight end now has two more opportunities to practice fully before the Patriots assign their Week 12 injury designations Friday.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (hamstring) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle sat out this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury that he sustained one week prior. Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com on Monday that Kittle was "close" to playing Week 11, but the tight end may need to practice in full by week's end in order to sidestep a designation for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Tremble (back) didn't appear on the Panthers' initial Week 12 injury report released Wednesday.

The Notre Dame product has missed four of the Panthers' last five games due to a concussion and a back injury. However, his absence from Carolina's injury report Wednesday suggests that the team's Week 11 bye provided enough time for him to recover from his back issue. With Tremble back to full health, he's expected to work in tandem at tight end with rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders in Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Muse (hand) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Muse suffered a fractured hand in Week 2 and has been sidelined since. The South Carolina product will now have a 21-day window to practice with the team before needing to be added to the 53-man roster.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that LaPorta (shoulder) is trending toward a return for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Campbell used the term "questionable to above" as an estimation of the tight end's Week 12 status. LaPorta missed the Lions' Week 11 blowout win over Jacksonville due to an AC joint sprain, leaving Brock Wright as Detroit's top tight end.

Njoku (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Steelers, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

The Browns listed Njoku as a full practice participant Wednesday, so he should be ready to handle his usual role Thursday. As productive as he's been since Jameis Winston took over as the Browns' starting quarterback beginning in Week 8, Njoku faces a couple of relevant obstacles Week 12. Not only will be taking aim at a tough Pittsburgh defense, but the forecast in Cleveland on Thursday night is calling for cold, windy and wet conditions.