NFL Player News

Trautman (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Both Trautman and Juwan Johnson (ankle) are operating under practice limitations this week, giving them one more chance to get back to all activity before the Saints potentially hand them a designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Trautman hasn't been targeted more than three times in a contest this season, even when Johnson was out Week 13 at Tampa Bay, so another absence from the latter wouldn't necessarily benefit the former, if he's active this weekend.

Johnson (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Prior to the Saints' last game Week 13 against the Buccaneers, Johnson didn't practice at all before he was ruled out on the final injury report. After a Week 14 bye, he's put together back-to-back limited listings, which also can be said for fellow tight end Adam Trautman (ankle). The team's final report of the week Friday may provide some clarity regarding who among the duo has a chance to play Sunday versus the Falcons.

Smythe (quadriceps/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game in Buffalo after practicing fully Thursday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Despite appearing on the Dolphins' Week 15 injury report with two different issues, Smythe still managed to practice in some capacity Tuesday through Thursday. He should be ready to handle his usual role Sunday as the Dolphins' top tight end, with his blocking prowess going a long way toward him dwarfing Mike Gesicki's snap counts over the past two games. Though he's cleared a 60 percent snap share on both of those occasions while Gesicki has been held under 40 percent both times, Smythe has produced only two receptions for 21 yards between those contests.

Wesco (calf) was listed as a non-participant on the Bears' injury report Thursday.

Wesco was forced out early with a calf injury and did not return during Week 13's loss to Green Bay. The tight end has now remained sidelined following Chicago's Week 14 bye, so he could be in jeopardy of missing his first game since the season opener against San Francisco. Wesco has caught two of four targets for 26 yards over 12 games while serving as Chicago's No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet, so his potential absence would leave Ryan Griffin to step up into a slightly bigger role Sunday against Philadelphia.

Bellinger (rib) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Bellinger is dealing with a sore rib in the aftermath of this past Sunday's loss to the Eagles, during which he made his second straight appearance following a five-week absence due to a fractured left eye socket. The rookie tight end appears on track to be available this weekend in Washington, but he may need to upgrade to full practice participation Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into Sunday.

Ferguson (concussion) was a non-participant in practice Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Ferguson will need to move further along in the league's concussion protocols process before he is able to return to the practice field. If he is unable to clear protocols ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Peyton Hendershot will likely climb to No. 2 on the team's tight end depth chart, while Sean McKeon would move up to No. 3.

Gilliam (ankle) was a full participant during practice Thursday, and he does not carry a game status ahead of Saturday's contest versus Miami.

Gilliam did not practice Week 14 due to an ankle injury, causing him to miss his first game of the season Sunday against the Jets. The fullback then worked his way back as a limited participant during practice Tuesday and Wednesday, and he'll be good to go again for Saturday's divisional matchup. Gilliam has not recorded an offensive statistic since Week 6, though he should reprise his roles as a core special-teamer and blocker in the run game.

Hurst (calf) was working out off to the side during Thursday's practice and will be listed as a non-participant, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Hurst hasn't joined the Bengals' healthy players for either of their first two practices and looks on track to sit out his second straight game Sunday at Tampa Bay, which head coach Zac Taylor suggested would be the case when he spoke to the media Wednesday. Assuming Hurst remains out again this weekend, Mitchell Wilcox will be on track to make another start, though don't expect him to be as involved in the passing game as Hurst has been when available this season.

Freiermuth (foot) didn't practice Thursday.

Back-to-back DNPs make Freiermuth's status worth tracking as Sunday's game against the Panthers approaches. That said, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com previously noted that the tight end expects to play this weekend, a notion that would be supported by his return to practice in any capacity Friday.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Smith (ankle) is close to returning from injured reserve, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Because Smith hasn't been designated for return from IR and thus hasn't resumed practicing with the Vikings since suffering a high-ankle sprain in an Oct. 30 win over the Cardinals, he won't be a candidate to play Saturday against the Colts. However, Tomasson notes that Smith was able to get some work off to the side during Thursday's practice, perhaps hinting that the tight end could be ready to mix into drills at some point next week. Even if Smith is able to return to action at some point over the final three games of the regular season, he'll likely find himself in a much smaller role after the Vikings added a more established tight end in T.J. Hockenson to the roster in the wake of Smith's injury.