Oliver (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Oliver sprained his foot during the Vikings' Week 8 loss to the Chargers, and Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reported Wednesday that the veteran tight end is unlikely to play against the Lions on Sunday. Ben Yurosek would be the Vikings' backup tight end behind T.J. Hockenson if Oliver is indeed ruled out Week 9 while Ben Sims -- who Minnesota claimed off waivers from Green Bay on Monday -- serves as the TE3.

Schultz (knee/shoulder) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Schultz also missed Wednesday's session, but coach DeMeco Ryans noted afterward that he expected the tight end to return to the field later in the week. With that in mind, the focus turns to what, if anything, Schultz does at Friday's practice, and in turn how the Texans list him on their final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Manhertz (illness) was limited at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Manhertz is dealing with an illness and has been limited at each of New York's first two practice sessions to begin the week. It still seems more likely than not that he'll be able to play Sunday versus San Francisco, though he may enter the weekend with an injury status if he's not able to log a full practice Friday. Manhertz typically works in a blocking role and has just one catch on one target for seven yards through eight games this season.

The Dolphins elevated Rucci from their practice squad to their active roster ahead of Thursday's matchup versus Baltimore.

Rucci has been elevated for the second straight week with Darren Waller (pectoral) on IR and Julian Hill (ankle) ruled out this week. In his first game action this season this past Sunday versus Atlanta, Rucci logged 11 snaps on offense along with 11 snaps on special teams without recording any targets. He's likely in line for a similar role Thursday night.

Pitts (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Pitts has been operating with a cap on his practice reps this week due to an ankle injury, which also can said for QB Michael Penix (knee) and WR Drake London (hip). With both Penix and London sidelined this past Sunday against the Dolphins, Pitts connected with fill-in signal-caller Kirk Cousins nine times on as many targets for 59 yards and no touchdowns. The statuses of Penix and London will be key for where Pitts stands in Atlanta's passing game Week 9, but if the tight end is available, he again could be the team's top option.

Freiermuth (quadricep) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

Freiermuth returned Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice. He's poised to suit up and play his usual role Sunday against the Colts as part of a crowded Steelers tight end room that also devotes significant playing time to Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington.

Bellinger (neck) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

With a pair of absences from practice to begin game Week 9 prep, Bellinger looks to be in danger of missing Sunday's against the 49ers. If Bellinger is unable to play this weekend, Chris Manhertz (illness) and Thomas Fidone would be the available depth options at tight end behind Theo Johnson, who played a season-high 98 percent of the offensive snaps in the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Eagles.

Okonkwo (foot) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

This is a downgrade for Okonkwo after he logged a limited practice session Wednesday. The severity of his foot issue isn't clear, but it's concerning that the fourth-year tight end was held out entirely in the penultimate practice of the week. If Okonkwo can't play Sunday versus the Chargers, Gunnar Helm could start at tight end for Tennessee.

Kmet (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After missing the first game of his career in this past Sunday's loss to the Ravens, Kmet has opened Week 9 prep with a pair of limited sessions. If he can upgrade to full participation Friday, Kmet should be in good position to reclaim his usual duties as the Bears' starting tight end. While Kmet was sidelined this past weekend, rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland played a season-high 81 percent of the snaps on offense and finished with three catches for 38 yards on five targets.

Swinson signed a deal to join the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday.

Swinson spent training camp with the Packers before being let go in late August. He subsequently joined the 49ers' practice squad before being cut last week. The Arizona State product will now try to impress the Cardinals while part of the practice squad, though he has a tricky path to the active roster since the team has three healthy tight ends on the 53-man roster in Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and Josiah Deguara.