NFL Player News

Krull caught three of four targets for 41 yards in Thursday's 33-10 win over the Saints.

Krull played 29 of the Bronco's 65 offensive snaps Thursday, while fellow tight end Adam Trautman played 40 snaps. This comes a week after Krull's playing time nearly doubled that of Trautman against the Chargers in Week 6. Despite the flip in playing time, the 26-year-old Krull was the more effective of the two tight ends, as Trautman was unable to record a single catch on three targets. Meanwhile, Krull's three catches and 41 yards were both season highs for the Pittsburgh product. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has continued to push for a more prominent role in Denver's passing attack, and he'll have his next opportunity to do just that when the Broncos host the Panthers in Week 8.

Thomas (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas didn't get much playing time the past two weeks with Tommy Tremble in concussion protocol, and it seems Tremble may soon get clearance after practicing without restrictions Thursday and Friday. Rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders is the most interesting Carolina tight end for fantasy purposes, and it remains to be seen what his workload looks like if Tremble and Thomas are simultaneously available for the first time this season.

Tremble (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders has played about three-fourths of Carolina's snaps on offense since Tremble entered the concussion protocol during a Week 5 loss at Chicago. Tremble looks on track to return after full practice participation Thursday and Friday, but he'll still need to clear the protocol in order to play. If that does happen, it's unclear how playing time will be divided between him, Sanders and Ian Thomas (hip).

Johnson secured three of six targets for 18 yards in the Saints' 33-10 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

The veteran tight end couldn't take advantage of the absences of Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Taysom Hill (ribs), although he did log a season-high target total. However, Johnson couldn't come close to the season-best 48 receiving yards he'd posted four days earlier against the Buccaneers, and his outlook figures to remain modest going into a Week 8 road matchup against the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 27, a game which Olave and Hill are likely to be back for.

Hill (ribs) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

After sitting out Weeks 5 and 6 due to rib fractures that didn't allow him to practice in advance of those contests, Hill was listed as limited on all three of the Saints' Week 7 injury reports. In the end, though, a doubtful designation forecast inactive status Thursday, which has come to pass. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau will continue to handle the bulk of the TE reps while Hill is sidelined.

Dulcich (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Saints, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Dulcich will be a healthy scratch for a third straight week as the Broncos roll with Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull as their two tight ends for Thursday night's game. Dulcich's next opportunity to suit up will be Week 8 against the Panthers on Oct. 27. He played in the first four games of the regular season, but his five catches for 28 yards all came in the first two games of the year.

Okwuegbunam (abdomen) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Okwuegbunam began the regular season on injured reserve due to an abdomen injury he sustained during training camp. That's caused him to miss the first five games of the year, but the 2020 fourth-round pick returned to practice Wednesday, and he has been a full participant in both practices. Barring any setbacks, Okwuegbunam should be activated off injured reserve ahead of Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Giants.

Hurst (groin) was listed as a DNP on the Chargers' practice estimate Thursday.

Hurst left in the first half of the Chargers' Week 6 win over the Broncos due to a groin injury. He will have two more opportunities to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of Monday's game against Arizona. Through the first five games of the regular season, Hurst has caught six passes (on 10 targets) for 59 yards.

Hockenson (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Hockenson is nearing the end of his second week of the 21-day window in which the Vikings have to evaluate him and eventually activate him from the reserve/PUP list. So far, he's logged three consecutive capped sessions going back to Oct. 4, and he even spoke about his odds to play Sunday against the Lions. "Yeah, I don't know," Hockenson told Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Thursday. "I mean, it all depends day to day. ... As long as I'm feeling good and rolling, we'll just keep it there." The Vikings will need to activate Hockenson by Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET in order for him to have a chance to suit up this weekend, but first Friday's injury report will reveal if he has a designation for Sunday's contest.

Dissly (shoulder) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate.

Dissly now has two more chances to upgrade his practice participation ahead of Monday night's contest against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, fellow TE Hayden Hurst (groin) didn't practice Thursday, and if Hurst is unavailable versus Arizona, Dissly, assuming he plays, would be in line to see added Week 7 opportunities.