NFL Player News

Andrews (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns after returning to a limited practice Friday.

Andrews was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, but his return to a limited session Friday has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's contest. Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Andrews indicated Friday that his body "feels good," and he's "ready to go" ahead of Week 7 action. In any case, Andrews' status versus Cleveland will be confirmed before the first wave of games Sunday, with the Ravens kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Hurst (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Hurst was limited in all three of Cincinnati's practices throughout the week but did enough to avoid being listed on the final injury report. He had been listed as questionable for each of the previous two games, but the tight end has yet to endure an absence as a member of the Bengals.

Bates (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Green Bay, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Bates had a good day of practice Friday and has a chance to play heading into the weekend. With Logan Thomas (calf) out for a third straight game and Bates in danger of a second consecutive absence, rookie Cole Turner could have another shot at extended playing time, though Rivera also mentioned using FB Alex Armah more. Last week, Bates injured his hamstring in pregame warmups, which was too late for the Commanders to alter their plans for which players would be active/inactive. The tight end now looks like a game-time decision ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Thomas (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Green Bay, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas will miss a third straight game, while backup John Bates (hamstring) is listed as questionable and could be a game-time decision ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Bates doesn't play, the Commanders likely will have Cole Turner as their primary tight end, though Armani Rogers and FB Alex Armah also could take on some of the workload. Turner played 93 percent of snaps last Thursday with both Thomas and Bates out, catching two of two targets for 23 yards in a 12-7 win over Chicago.

Andrews (knee) returned to practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Andrews began the week with back-to-back DNP designations, so to see him back as even a limited participant Friday would be encouraging for his chances of playing Week 7. Friday's official practice report will reveal whether Andrews carries a game-day designation for Sunday's divisional matchup against Cleveland.

Freiermuth cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Freiermuth is on track to return from a one-game absence and suit up versus the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Kenny Pickett also cleared the concussion protocol Friday, so Pittsburgh's offense will be at full strength to take on Miami. Freiermuth, a 2021 second-round pick, has drawn at least seven targets in three of the four contests he finished this season.

Hill completed both of his pass attempts for 48 yards, rushed three times for nine yards and secured his only target for a three-yard touchdown in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night.

Hill turned in another trademark performance that saw him involved in all three phases of offense. The versatile playmaker was able to also find the end zone as a receiver on a three-yard touchdown grab early in the second quarter, giving him his first score in that capacity since 2020. Irrespective of whether it's Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston under center for New Orleans, it appears head coach Dennis Allen will continue to deploy Hill in the versatile role that's worked well in nearly every game thus far, although his typically limited touches always have the potential to cap his value.

Ertz brought in two of four targets for 21 yards and recorded a two-point conversion catch in the Cardinals' 42-34 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

The veteran tight end finished third on the team in targets for the night, but his share paled in comparison to that of the debuting DeAndre Hopkins, who paced the Cardinals with 14 looks. He also likely benefited from the fact newcomer Robbie Anderson logged just a single target after just joining Arizona via trade Monday, but Ertz should continue to enjoy a solid complementary role in the offense moving forward even when Hopkins, Anderson and eventually Marquise Brown (foot) are all on the field together.

Johnson secured all five targets for 32 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night.

The third-year tight end played a prominent role, particularly on the fourth quarter, when he recorded his first pair of touchdown grabs of the season from 17 and one yard out. Johnson had also played a significant role in Week 6 against the Bengals with a 4-41 line on six targets, and with Michael Thomas (foot), Jarvis Landry (ankle) and Adam Trautman (ankle) all out Thursday night, the Oregon product finished even with Tre'Quan Smith for second in receptions. Johnson could continue to enjoy a solid complementary role moving forward, although the eventual return of Thomas and Landry could particularly eat into his opportunities.

Fant (illness) practiced fully Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

After enduring a cap on his reps Wednesday due to an illness, Fant was back to full capacity one day later. He thus is set to seek out his third game in a row with at least 40 yards and five targets Sunday versus a Chargers defense that has given up the third-most YPT (9.2) to opposing tight ends this season.