Sample didn't draw a target or run a route while playing 39 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in Thursday's 33-31 win over the Steelers.

Sample has always been deployed mainly as a blocker when he's taken the field, but the Bengals took that to an extreme in Week 7. Cincinnati didn't have Tanner Hudson (concussion) available as a depth option at tight end, which may have motivated the decision to scale back Sample's route running and use him exclusively as a blocker behind starter Noah Fant, who moved atop the depth chart due to Mike Gesicki (pectoral) hitting injured reserve.

Ertz (shoulder), who is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ertz appears positioned for a significant role in the receiving game this weekend, as Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Deebo Samuel (heel) have both been ruled out, and Noah Brown (groin/knee) was recently placed on injured reserve. After logging six targets while the Commanders had Samuel available for this past Monday's loss to the Bears, Ertz could see his target share grow versus a Dallas defense that's surrendered the most passing yards to opponents in the league through six weeks. His status may not be made official until Washington releases its inactive list roughly 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET, but Ertz is on track to take the field Sunday.

The Eagles elevated Jenkins from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Chris McPherson of the team's official site reports.

Jenkins has been on the Eagles' practice squad all season with Saturday's elevation marking his first of the campaign. He's likely to serve primarily on special teams, if he is active Sunday against the Vikings.

Bowers (knee), who is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, is not expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bowers returned to practice as a limited participant Friday after having sat out Wednesday and Thursday, but the second-year tight end is expected to miss a third straight contest due to his lingering PCL injury. The Raiders will then benefit from a Week 8 bye, which Bowers will use to rest up and target a return to action Week 9 against the Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 2. Michael Mayer will operate as Las Vegas' top tight end if Bowers is indeed inactive, confirmation of which will arrive no later than 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Meanwhile, top wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee/toe) appears a true game-time decision.

The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.

Willis was signed to the active roster in mid-September to give the 49ers added depth at tight end after George Kittle was placed on injured reserve due to a torn hamstring he sustained against the Seahawks in Week 1. With Kittle activated from IR on Saturday, Willis is no longer needed on the 49ers' active roster, though the latter could remain in San Francisco and sign with the team's practice squad.

The 49ers activated Kittle (hamstring) from injured reserve Saturday, and he has no designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Kittle thus is set for his first game action since San Francisco's Week 1 win at Seattle, when he suffered a torn hamstring. The state of the 49ers offense is much different six weeks later, with QB Brock Purdy sidelined again due to a lingering turf toe injury and multiple injuries impacting the receiving corps. Kittle will be in the mix for passes from fill-in signal-caller Mac Jones, and the former will be joined by WRs Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson, RB Christian McCaffrey and fellow TE Jake Tonges.

Parkinson (concussion) does not have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Parkinson was sidelined in Week 6 due to a concussion. However, he practiced in full throughout the week leading up to the matchup against the Jaguars and should be in line to play around 30 percent of offensive snaps.

Yurosek (knee) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Yurosek missed the Vikings' two games prior to the Week 6 bye due to a knee injury. He didn't appear on the injury report heading into Week 7, which indicates that the 23-year-old tight end should be available to play against Philadelphia. Yurosek did not record a catch or target through the first three games of the regular season.

Bowers (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET game against the Chiefs after logging a limited practice Friday.

Following consecutive DNPs Wednesday and Thursday, Bowers' return to a limited session Friday provides a glimmer of hope that he could suit up Sunday, though his official doubtful designation suggests that the Raiders may be more likely to err on the side of caution with their star tight end this weekend with the team on bye Week 8. If Bowers ends up sidelined for the third straight game, fellow TE Michael Mayer -- who logged five catches (on seven targets) for 50 yards and a TD in the Raiders' Week 6 win over the Titans -- once again would be in line for added opportunities versus Kansas City.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Friday that the team plans to activate Kittle (hamstring) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle said Thursday that he's back at full strength and ready to play. Shanahan all but confirmed it, although the 49ers could still list the tight end as questionable on their final Week 7 injury report. Either way, the team needs to activate Kittle from IR before 4 p.m. ET on Saturday if he's going to play Sunday. Kittle won't be on a so-called "pitch count," but Shanahan said the 49ers could "space it out throughout the game" in response to questions about what the tight end's workload will look like in his first game since Week 1.