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.

Bryant is the lone healthy tight end on the 53-man roster after Houston announced that Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Schultz's injury coupled with the health of wide receivers Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) -- both of whom were limited participants Wednesday -- raises Bryant's profile leading up to Week 9's home game against Denver. Of course, there's still time for Schultz to get on the practice field, and he didn't appear to be hurt last week, when he played to the final snap in Week 8's win over San Francisco. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans didn't sound too concerned, indicating that he expects to get Schultz back as the week goes on. Bryant has one reception on four targets for five yards while playing 26 percent of the offensive snaps in the six games he's played this season.

Dissly did not practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Dissly will have two more opportunities to recover enough to return to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans. He was a healthy scratch for Week 8 against the Vikings, so there's no guarantee that he would be active for Week 9 even if he recovered enough to avoid an injury designation. Dissly appears to have been phased out of the Chargers' offensive gameplan due to the emergence of rookie fifth-rounder Oronde Gadsden, while Tucker Fisk and Tyler Conklin provide depth at tight end.

Adkins (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Adkins suffered the knee injury in Sunday's win over the Cowboys and did not return. His status for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Texans is likely in doubt, though he'll still have two days to increase his practice activity.

Morris (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Morris missed the Jaguars' last game before their Week 8 bye versus the Rams with a groin injury, and it's still bothering him even after the extra week of rest. He'll probably have to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Schultz didn't practice Wednesday due to knee and shoulder injuries, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Per Warren, Schultz didn't appear to be hurt at any point in the Texans' Week 8 win over the 49ers and played until the game's final snap. Meanwhile, coach DeMeco Ryans noted Wednesday that the team is expecting the tight end "back as the week goes on...he's doing well, progressing just fine.'' Assuming Schultz is available Sunday against the Broncos, he could be working alongside wideouts Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring), who both returned to limited practices Wednesday.

Bowers (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Bowers last saw game action in Week 4, but following the Raiders' bye week, the tight end is poised to return to the team's lineup Sunday against the Jaguars. Per Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com, coach Pete Carroll noted Wednesday that Bowers has looked great of late and has been working at full speed, while the star tight end himself said he's "ready to roll" ahead of Week 9 action. In four games this season, Bowers (who caught 112 passes as a rookie in 2024) compiled a 19/225/0 receiving line on 27 targets.

Freiermuth (quadriceps) did not practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Freiermuth appears to have picked up a quad injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Packers in Week 8, in which he secured three of four targets for 14 yards and briefly left the field in the third quarter. That the veteran tight end was able to return to action versus Green Bay is encouraging as to his chances of being cleared to suit up versus the Colts on Sunday. If Freiermuth were to miss any time, however, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington would stand to benefit from a slight uptick in target consolidation to the tight end position.

Okonkwo (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Okonkwo put together a solid performance during Tennessee's loss to the Colts in Week 8, securing four of five targets for 53 yards, but he appears to have picked up a foot injury in the process. The starting tight end will have two more chances to upgrade to full practice reps ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. If Okonkwo is limited in any capacity versus Los Angeles, or even unavailable, rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm will stand to see a notable uptick in opportunities.