NFL Player News

Okonkwo brought in three of four targets for 28 yards in the Titans' 20-16 loss to the Steelers on Thursday night.

Okonkwo was on the field for 73 percent of the Titans' snaps on offense Thursday, but the athletic tight end's yardage total continued in the same underwhelming range it's typically been this season. Okonkwo has been at 35 yards or less in each game despite serving as the top pass-catching option at tight end, and to this point, he hasn't seen any bump from the switch at quarterback from Ryan Tannehill (ankle) to Will Levis.

Njoku (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to a limited session one day later bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday against the Cardinals. That said, Njoku -- who caught four passes (on eight targets) for 77 yards and a TD in the Browns' Week 8 loss to the Seahawks -- likely will need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a Week 9 injury designation.

Everett (hip) practiced fully Thursday.

Everett was held out of this past Sunday night's win over the Bears, but the tight end's full participation in Thursday's practice sets the stage for him to rejoin the Chargers' lineup Monday night against the Jets. Through six games, Everett has put up a 19-149-2 line on 23 targets, a pace that limits his fantasy utility to deeper formats, though it's worth noting that the 2017 second-rounder has found the end zone in each of his last two outings.

Morris (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Morris was able to log a limited session Wednesday, and the fact that he upgraded to a full participant in Thursday's practice bodes well for his chances to suit up against the Bengals in Week 9. He's missed the last two games after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 6 against the Giants, and his return would help bolster the Bills' depth at tight end, with Dawson Knox (wrist) set to miss the next three games while on IR.

Thomas (heel) was a full practice participant Thursday.

One day removed from having a cap on his reps due to a heel injury Wednesday, Thomas was able to handle all on-field work. He's thus on pace to face a Patriots defense Sunday that has conceded the 10th-most yards per targets (7.7) to opposing tight ends this season.

Everett (hip) was present for practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Everett was inactive for this past Sunday night's win over the Bears, but the tight end's presence at Thursday's practice suggests that he has a chance to return to action Monday night against the Jets. The Chargers' first injury report of the week will reveal Everett's official participation level.

Hurst (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Hurst appears to have moved past the illness that kept him from practicing Wednesday, but that won't guarantee him a role as the Panthers' top tight end Sunday against the Colts. After playing barely north of 50 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps in both of the team's final two games before a Week 7 bye, Hurst dropped down to a season-low 31 percent snap share in this past Sunday's 15-13 win over the Texans. Tommy Tremble ended up leading the position group with a 54 percent share and caught two passes for four yards and a touchdown on three targets. Tremble's modest production still outpaced that of Hurst, who failed to corral either of his two targets en route to finishing without a reception for the first time in seven appearances on the season.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Musgrave (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Musgrave maintained his same level of practice activity from Wednesday, but if he's able to get back to full participation Friday, he could re-emerge as a more of a factor in Green Bay's passing game this Sunday against the Rams. After sustaining a left ankle injury during Week 7 action, Musgrave proceeded to suit up and play 74 percent of the Packers' snaps on offense in last week's loss to the Vikings, but he finished with a meager two catches for nine yards on three targets.

Smythe (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Smythe missed Wednesday's practice, but the tight end's return to the field a day later has him moving in the right direction in advance of Sunday's against the Chiefs. Through eight games, Smythe has logged a 14-151-0 line on 19 targets, a rate of production that limits his fantasy utility to deeper formats.

Brown (back) returned to practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Brown was absent for Wednesday's session, but his return to he field a day later bodes well for his Week 9 status, though the tight end may need to practice fully by Friday to avoid heading into Sunday's game against the Commanders minus an injury designation. The 29-year-old played ahead of Mike Gesicki last week against the Dolphins and caught both of his targets for 33 scoreless yards. On the year, Brown has been a big-play machine with seven grabs for 170 yards (24.3 yards per catch) and one touchdown on seven targets.