NFL Player News

Kolar (nose) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Kolar was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a nose injury, but the fourth-year tight end practiced without restriction Thursday and is on track to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Steelers. Kolar has caught 10 passes (on 15 targets) for 142 yards and two scores across 16 regular-season games while serving as the Ravens' TE3 behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.

Hockenson has now been listed as a non-participant on five consecutive practice reports due to a shoulder issue, and he wasn't able to suit up Week 17. Barring a surprising return to the practice field Friday, it appears as though Hockenson is trending in the wrong direction to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Josh Oliver will operate as Minnesota's starting tight end if Hockenson is unable to play in Week 18.

Waller (groin) did not practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller has now missed back-to-back practices to begin preparation for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Patriots, making his chances of suiting up for Week 18 appear murky. The veteran tight end has regularly had his practice reps capped throughout the season, but it may be that he'll need to return as at least a limited participant at Friday's practice for any chance of being cleared to go Sunday. Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill will operate as the Dolphins' top tight ends if Waller is unable to play.

Bates (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

A shoulder injury limited Bates' practice participation Wednesday, but his full session Thursday puts him on track to play against the Bengals on Sunday. The second-year tight end has stepped into a more prominent role in the Browns' offense during the absence of David Njoku (knee/personal), and the former could see even more snaps in Week 18 if rookie Harold Fannin (groin) is unable to play.

Henry was listed as limited at practice Thursday.

After missing Wednesday's session, Henry's return to the field a day later, though in a limited capacity, has him trending in a positive direction as Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins approaches. Friday's injury report is destined to reveal whether New England's top tight end carries a Week 18 injury designation or is fully cleared to face Miami this weekend.

Woods (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Woods was limited in Wednesday's session due to a hamstring injury but was held out of Thursday's practice, which has the fourth-year tight end trending in the wrong direction. His practice participation Friday will determine whether he is tagged with an injury designation ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills.

Helm (toe) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Helm has missed the first two practices of the week due to a lingering toe injury and was spotted with a boot on his right foot, per Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com. Helm would be unlikely to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jaguars unless he were to log at least a limited practice Friday. If the rookie fourth-round tight end is ruled out, then David Martin-Robinson would be in line for a larger role on offense alongside Chig Okonkwo.

Taylor (neck) did not practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor appears an unlikely candidate to retake the field in time for New York's season finale against the Bills. The rookie tight end hasn't played since Week 14, and he's now missed back-to-back practices in advance of Sunday's road divisional matchup. If Taylor can't play this weekend, he will wrap his rookie campaign with 44 catches for 369 yards and one score across 13 regular-season appearances.

Njoku (knee/personal) is not practicing Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku continues to miss practice due to a knee injury that has kept him from suiting up since Week 14. The veteran tight end will have a final chance to resume practicing Friday, but at this stage Njoku seems unlikely to be on the field for Cleveland during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin (groin) is also not practicing Thursday.

Fannin (groin) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

With Fannin and David Njoku (knee/personal) poised to log consecutive 'DNPs,' it looks like the Browns could be without their top two tight ends in Sunday's season finale against the Bengals. If that ends up being the case, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates (shoulder) and practice-squad member Sal Cannella would be in line to handle the team's TE duties Week 18.