NFL Player News

Andrews (shoulder/ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Even with the Ravens getting a longer turnaround for Week 9 with a Monday night game in New Orleans on tap, Andrews will be withheld from the team's first practice session while he tends to the pair of injuries he sustained in last Thursday's win over the Buccaneers. Though head coach John Harbaugh previously described both injuries as minor, Andrews will likely need to get back on the practice field in some capacity Friday or Saturday for fantasy managers to feel good about the tight end's availability Monday.

Sullivan (illness) was a non-participant in practice Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Sullivan also missed practice Wednesday due to the illness, which leaves him currently questionable for Sunday's game with the Bengals. If Sullivan is unable to recover in time to play, the Panthers may need to bump up Colin Thompson from the practice squad. If not, Carolina will roll with just Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas at tight end.

Quitoriano (knee) will be added to the 53-man roster Thursday, Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com reports.

Quitoriano is expected to make his NFL debut Thursday against the Eagles. The rookie, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has been recovering from a knee injury suffered during training camp. How big of a role he may see out of the gate is hard to say -- currently Brevin Jordan, O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins seem to be in a three-way timeshare at the position.

Parham (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice

Parham has been making strides in his recovery over the last few days by clearing concussion protocols, but his status for Sunday's game against the Falcons remains in question, per Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. Parham's ability to practice over the next few days will likely determine his availability for Week 9.

Fant was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Aside from dealing with an illness during Week 7 prep, Fant otherwise has avoided Seattle injury reports this season. The good health hasn't translated to much production in his first campaign with the Seahawks, as he's compiled a 22-176-1 receiving line on 28 targets in eight contests. Fant will use sessions Thursday and Friday to potentially put himself on a path to play Sunday in Arizona.

Uzomah was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Uzomah played 50 total snaps (36 offensive) and caught his lone target for a season-high 27 yards during the Jets' Week 8 loss to the Patriots, but he appears to have picked up a shoulder injury as well. The veteran tight end will have two more opportunities to upgrade to a full participant before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against the Bills.

Smythe (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Smythe has appeared in back-to-back games since sitting out Week 6 due to a hamstring injury, but the issue continues to impact the tight end's ability to practice. Regardless, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be able to play through the injury for a third straight contest.

Waller (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Waller was a limited participant all last week and listed as questionable before ultimately missing the 24-0 loss to New Orleans. He at least seems to have avoided a setback, and a return to full practice participation by the end of the week would have him on track to play in Sunday's game in Jacksonville.

Wright (concussion protocol) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Wright exited this past Sunday's loss to the Dolphins late in the contest to be evaluated for a concussion, and the first practice report of Week 9 revealed that he's indeed in the NFL's protocol for head injuries. It's unclear if he actually has a concussion, but he nonetheless must clear the five steps necessary to be cleared for game action. Whether or not that happens before Sunday's contest against the Packers remains to be seen, but with T.J. Hockenson shipped off to Minnesota on Tuesday, Wright stands to benefit in terms of snaps and targets once he's available. In seven games this season, Wright has hauled in all six targets for 88 yards.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Smith may need surgery on the high-ankle sprain he sustained this past Sunday against the Cardinals, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Smith is getting a second opinion to determine whether a procedure is necessary, but despite initial reports that his recovery timetable will be 8-to-10 weeks, O'Connell told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he doesn't have precise time frame for the tight end. Ultimately, Smith is in danger of missing most of the rest of the regular season, which likely spurred the Vikings to acquire T.J. Hockenson from the Lions on Tuesday. As long as Smith is sidelined, Hockenson and Johnny Mundt will be the main tight ends in Minnesota.