NFL Player News

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).

Engram (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Engram missed four straight games with the hamstring injury earlier in the season, and though the Jaguars continue to manage his practice reps, he has suited up for the last two contests while catching all 15 of his targets between Weeks 6 and 7. Barring a setback, Engram should be available for a favorable matchup Sunday against a Packers defense that has struggled to contain tight ends this season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (foot) won't practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

During Shanahan's rundown of 49ers injuries Monday, Kittle was labeled as day-to-day due to a sprained foot, so it's no surprise that the team is taking a cautious approach with the veteran tight end. Kittle thus will have two more chances to get in some activity this week before San Francisco potentially gives him a designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. If he's able to suit up, Kittle likely will be one of the top targets for quarterback Brock Purdy, as wideout Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season due to ACL and MCL tears, wideout Deebo Samuel is recovering from pneumonia, and wideout Jauan Jennings still isn't practicing due to a hip injury.

Tremble (back) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Tremble cleared concussion protocol last week but nonetheless missed a second straight game, sitting out of a 40-7 loss to the Commanders due to a back injury. Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (groin/wrist) has been one of Carolina's few bright spots in recent weeks while running routes on about three-fourths of the pass snaps, so Tremble may be in store for a smaller role once he's ready to return.

Sanders was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to groin and wrist injuries.

He's a new addition to the injury report this week, after catching each of his six targets for 61 yards in a 40-7 loss to the Commanders on Sunday. The outlook for Week 8 isn't encouraging even if Sanders shakes off the health concerns, as he'll be catching passes from quarterback Bryce Young in a road matchup with a tough Denver defense. Additionally, fellow Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) has some chance of returning from a back injury this week to give Sanders more competition for playing time.

Goedert (hamstring) isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Goedert sat out Philadelphia's win over the Giants in Week 7, and he hasn't yet resumed practicing in any capacity since being forced out of the team's Week 6 win over Cleveland due to a hamstring issue. The standout tight end is trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against the Bengals, and he'll only have two more chances to log some practice reps this week. Grant Calcaterra -- who secured his only catch for five yards last week -- will be in line to serve as the Eagles' primary pass-catching tight end Sunday if Goedert ends up missing a second straight game.

Knox missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury.

Knox appeared to have gotten hurt at one point in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Titans, but he nonetheless ended up playing 57 percent of snaps on offense. An absence this Sunday at Seattle likely would free up a few extra snaps for Dalton Kincaid, who was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a collarbone injury.