NFL Player News

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.

Thomas (calf) was a limited participant during practice Thursday.

Thomas was also limited Wednesday, when he returned to the field after being designated to return from injured reserve. His status for Sunday's matchup will likely remain in the air until at least Friday as he looks to work back from the multi-week injury.

Tremble was a non-participant in Thursday's practice due to a knee injury.

Though he didn't take any reps Thursday, Tremble was on the field during the portion of practice that was available to the media, per Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site. Tremble will likely need to increase his activity in Friday's practice to put himself on track to play in Sunday's game against the Bears.

Oliver (wrist) is listed as a limited participant on Thursday's injury report.

Oliver continues to manage a wrist injury sustained in Week 3, one which he managed to play through during Minnesota's win over the Packers in Week 4. He was also limited in practice Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Oliver still looks on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London and continue splitting reps at the tight-end position alongside Johnny Mundt.

Njoku (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

According to Cabot, Njoku's absence is a planned off day, after he returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion after having not taken the field in any capacity since spraining his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys. Njoku is expected to return to practice Friday, and the Browns will wait and see on how much activity he's able to handle before a determination is made on his availability for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart have been splitting the playing time at tight end during Njoku's absence.