NFL Player News

Strange (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Strange was a limited participant in all three practices this week and has a chance to return from a two-game absence. If he does play, he'll return to his role operating on special teams and as a run-blocking tight end behind Evan Engram and Luke Farrell.

Whyle (knee) is out for Sunday's game versus the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Whyle will be sidelined for his second straight contest Sunday due to a knee injury he sustained in Week 13 versus the Colts. Trevon Wesco projects to see an uptick in snaps in Whyle's absence.

Kincaid (thumb/shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Kincaid appeared to injure his shoulder in the second half against Kansas City last week, but he's avoided a serious issue on that front as well as with his listed thumb injury and is good to go for Week 15. Despite Dawson Knox's return from injured reserve this past Sunday, Kincaid still saw eight targets and played 78 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps.

The Commanders placed Hodges (back) on their injured reserve list Friday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

The move means that Hodges probably won't be able to make his NFL debut until next season. His being absent should make it easier for John Bates to earn significant playing time during the home stretch of the year.

Waller (hamstring) is listed a questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

After missing the Giants' last five contests due to a right hamstring injury, Waller was designated for return from injured reserve Thursday and immediately logged a limited practice. At Friday's session, he appeared to be preparing as if he'll be able to play Week 15, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, and Waller even told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com that he handled the entire route tree this week. While Waller expects to play this weekend, the Giants will need to activate him from IR by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline in order to do so.

The Bengals added Sample (illness) to the injury report Friday, listing him as questionable for Saturday's game against the Vikings, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

If Sample were to miss Saturday's game, the Bengals' four-man weave at tight end would be reduced to three, featuring Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith. Sample paced the group in playing time last week against the Colts, seeing action on 19 snaps.

Thomas (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Falcons.

Thomas will sit out for the fifth time this season in Week 15, this time due to an ankle injury. In his absence, Tommy Tremble will probably see more reps on early downs and around the goal line.

Waller (hamstring) expects to play in Sunday's game against the Saints but doesn't anticipate handling his normal workload, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported Friday that Waller was practicing as if he was preparing to play, and the tight end confirmed as much when he met with the media Friday afternoon. Having avoided any setbacks throughout the week, Waller likely will be activated from injured reserve prior to the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline Saturday. That being said, it won't come as any surprise if the Giants list him as questionable on their final injury report and put the tight end through a pregame workout before making a final decision on his active status ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

The Panthers placed Hurst (concussion) on injured reserve Friday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

With the Panthers sitting at 1-12 and eliminated from playoff contention, Hurst's season is officially over. Signed to a three-year deal in the offseason, Hurst played in nine games this season before suffering a concussion Week 10. He's since been dealing with post-traumatic amnesia. Hurst finishes 2023 with 18 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown on 32 targets.

Tremble (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Tremble missed Week 13 but then returned for Week 14 and took 65 percent of snaps on offense in a 28-6 loss to New Orleans. That was actually his smallest snap share since Hayden Hurst entered concussion protocol in early November, and with Hurst now expected to miss the rest of the season, Tremble is locked in as Carolina's top tight end. Ian Thomas (ankle) also will be out this week, but it's worth noting that Tremble has yet to see more than three targets in a game this season even though Carolina's tight end group often has been thinned out by injuries.