NFL Player News

Kittle (ribs) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

A rib injury has been attached to Kittle since he was reported to be questionable to return at halftime of this past Sunday's win against the Patriots. He didn't miss a beat as he was back in the game for the 49ers' first possession of the third quarter, finishing with a 94 percent snap share and four catches (on four targets) for 45 yards and one touchdown. Coach Kyle Shanahan termed Kittle day-to-day Monday, but the tight end has followed that up with back-to-back DNPs to begin Week 5 prep. On a positive note, Kittle was spotted in uniform and working on the side Thursday, per Wagoner, so he may be trending in the right direction. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not Kittle enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Cardinals.

Johnson (forearm) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice session.

Johnson may have picked up the injury during the Saints' 26-24 loss to the Falcons on Sunday. He'll have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs. Johnson has caught four passes (on six targets) for 39 yards and one touchdown through four regular-season games.

Tonyan signed with the Vikings' 53-man roster from their practice squad Thursday.

Tonyan has been elevated each of the last two weeks, seeing 10 snaps on offense without a target. The veteran tight end's promotion comes with Josh Oliver (wrist) currently questionable for Sunday's game in London against the Jets and T.J. Hockenson (knee) still likely at least another week away from returning. If Oliver is unable to suit up Sunday, Tonyan and Johnny Mundt will likely be the only healthy tight ends for the Vikings in Week 5.

Engram (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Engram hasn't played since Week 1, but with two straight limited practices to begin Week 5 prep, he's putting himself in a position to put an end to his three-game absence Sunday versus the Colts. In order to avoid being listed as questionable heading into the weekend, however, Engram will likely need to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice.

Bell (neck) was a full participant during practice Thursday.

Bell was limited Wednesday, putting his status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins into question. However, with his ability to log a full session Thursday, he should be all set to go for the Week 5 matchup.

Kittle (ribs) was seen working on the side at the beginning of Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle was in uniform, but he didn't participate in any of the individual work in front of the media. If he doesn't practice for a second day in a row, he'll have just one more chance Friday to get in some work before he potentially enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. Coach Kyle Shanahan termed Kittle day-to-day Monday, so even if the tight end doesn't mix into any drills this week, he seemingly has a decent chance to play Week 5.

Kmet (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

Kmet showed up on the Bears' first Week 5 practice report Wednesday as limited due to a knee injury, but he was able to handle a full allotment of reps one day later, effectively clearing him ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers. Aside from a 10-97-1 showing on 11 targets Week 3 at Indianapolis, he's combined for eight catches (on nine targets) for 65 yards and no touchdowns in his other three outings this season.

Musgrave (ankle) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Musgrave has now missed two straight practices with the ankle issue, so he'll likely need to take the field in at least a limited capacity Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday against the Rams. If Musgrave can't go this weekend, top tight end Tucker Kraft would likely take on an even greater share of the snaps, while Ben Sims would slide up a spot on the depth chart.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that Hill was held out of Thursday's practice due to rib fractures, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Allen didn't go into detail regarding the number of the fractures, but the injury certainly sounds like something serious enough to threaten Hill's availability for Monday's game against the Chiefs. Hill had previously missed the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Eagles with a bruised lung, so the team could be motivated to proceed cautiously with the offensive weapon now that he's tending to another chest-related injury in the aftermath of this past Sunday's loss to the Falcons. The Saints will likely wait and see how Hill is feeling after the team's final practice of Week 5 on Saturday before determining his status for the Monday night contest.

Hill (rib) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Hill was withheld from the Saints' first Week 5 practice, four days after head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that the jack-of-all-trades player injured a rib in Sunday's loss to the Falcons. The 34-year-old will have two more opportunities to log some practice activity before the Saints decide whether he'll carry a designation into Monday's game in Kansas City. Hill previously missed a game Week 3 against the Eagles, but he's suited up in each of the Saints' other three contests while recording two receptions for two yards and carrying 14 times for 77 yards and two scores.