NFL Player News

Sanders (groin/wrist) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Sanders has logged back-to-back limited practice sessions while nursing a pair of injuries. He secured all six of his targets for 61 yards in Carolina's blowout 40-7 loss to the Commanders in Week 7, having yet again acted as one of the Panthers' lone bright spots on offense. If Sanders manages to suit up Sunday versus the Broncos, he'll work with Bryce Young under center rather than Andy Dalton (thumb).

Tremble (back) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Tremble has missed two straight games, though he cleared the concussion protocol last week. The veteran tight end will now need to overcome a back issue in order to suit up Sunday versus Denver, a game that will feature Bryce Young back under center. Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (groin/wrist) also practiced on a limited basis to open Week 8 prep.

Knox (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Knox missed Wednesday's session, but the tight end's return to the field a day later has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks. He presumably will need to practice fully by Friday, however, to head into the weekend minus an injury designation.

Stephens (knee) sustained a torn left ACL in Wednesday's practice and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Stephens missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL in the same knee sustained during the preseason, and he now faces another long road to recovery. The depth tight end hasn't yet suited up for a regular-season game with the Cowboys, but he remains under contract with the team through 2025.

Durham (calf) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Durham also sat out Wednesday's practice session, and his calf injury forced him to sit out Tampa Bay's loss to the Ravens in Week 7. The depth tight end's status again looks to be in question for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta. Ko Kieft and Devin Culp will be in line to again handle increased reserve work behind behind starter Cade Otton at the tight end position if Durham can't go.

Bryant (elbow) did not participate at the Raiders' practice Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Bryant is nursing an elbow injury to open the week, forcing him to sit out the team's first practice session ahead of Sunday's matchup with Kansas City. The tight end will have two more chances to return to the field this week in order to avoid an injury designation for Week 8.

Hill (rib) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Hill has been listed as a limited participant on four consecutive practice reports going back to last week, but he's still seeking his first game action since Week 4 in Atlanta. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau have been handling tight end reps in the interim, but Johnson joined Hill as a limited participant Wednesday due to a shoulder injury. As a result, the statuses of both Hill and Johnson will continue to be watched as the weekend approaches to see if either are in danger of sitting out Sunday at the Chargers.

Johnson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

Johnson previously dealt with a forearm issue during Week 5 prep, but he's been able to suit up in all seven games this season and earn at least a 50 percent snap share in five consecutive contests. He hasn't produced much during those five weeks, accruing a 13-110-0 receiving line in 17 targets, even with Taysom Hill (rib) sidelined for four of them. Both Johnson and Hill had caps on their practice reps Wednesday, so the statuses of both will need to be monitored as the week goes on.

Dissly (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice session, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Dissly is coming off a breakout performance against the Cardinals on Monday, when he recorded a career-high eight receptions (on 11 targets) for 81 yards. He was Justin Herbert's favorite target in the absence of wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle), but Dissly is still working through a shoulder injury that limited him in practice leading up to Monday's contest. Dissly will have two more chances to increase his practice activity ahead of the Chargers' Week 8 matchup with the Saints on Sunday.

Hurst (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Hurst suffered a groin injury in the first quarter of a Week 6 win over Denver and then missed a Week 7 loss to the Cardinals. His absence opened up more snaps and routes for fellow tight end Will Dissly, who caught more passes (eight) in the loss to Arizona than Hurst had caught all season (six).