NFL Player News

Bates suffered a hamstring injury during warmups prior to Thursday's game against the Bears, Ivan Lambert of USA Today reports.

Bates was expected to fill in as the Commanders' starting tight end with Logan Thomas (calf) sidelined. He had tallied seven receptions combined across his last two games, but with Bates dealing with a hamstring injury, Cole Turner was next up for the team's TE snaps versus Chicago on Thursday.

Higbee (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

One day removed from sitting out Wednesday due to an ankle issue, Higbee was back in the mix with a cap on his reps. He may have to get back to all activity Friday to be free of a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, but he at least displayed some progress in his return to drills.

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

After Smythe failed to participate in Wednesday's session due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Sunday's game against the Jets, the 6-foot-6 tight end returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity. While Smythe's Week 6 availability versus the Vikings remains in question, fellow tight ends Mike Gesicki, Tanner Conner and Hunter Long would be expected to take on larger roles should the 27-year-old eventually be ruled out this weekend.

Higbee (ankle) was present at Thursday's practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

This comes on the heels of Higbee sitting out Wednesday due to an ankle concern. His activity level won't be known until the release of Thursday's practice report, but he very well could be limited, considering coach Sean McVay has said the Rams will "be smart" with the likes of Higbee and Cooper Kupp (foot) this week.

Schultz (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Cowboys appear to be taking a cautious approach with their top tight end this week after Schultz aggravated the sprained PCL in his right knee this past Sunday at the Rams, capping his reps both Wednesday and Thursday. Because he didn't pick up any new damage in the knee, though, there's a belief he'll be available to the offense Week 6 at Philadelphia. Still, Schultz's status should continue to be watched to ensure he'll be out there Sunday night.

Myarick (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday.

Myarick was also a limited participant Wednesday, leaving his status for Sunday against the Ravens in question. As the team's No. 2 tight end and occasional fullback, it's unclear how the Giants would replace him if he were unable to suit up.

Hill (ribs) practiced in full Thursday.

One day removed from having practice limitations Wednesday, Hill again was running on all cylinders on the field. He thus seems poised to be a big part of the Saints offense Sunday against the Bengals, as both Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) were non-participants, while Chris Olave (concussion) was limited. If the team's receiving corps remains banged up this weekend, New Orleans again may be run-focused, allowing Hill to be heavily involved alongside Alvin Kamara.

Hurst (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Hurst's reps were capped for the second day in a row, but the Bengals haven't yet suggested that the groin injury is anything that seriously threatens the tight end's availability for Sunday's game in New Orleans. If Hurst is in fact able to play, he could find himself in a prominent pass-catching role for the second game in a row if wideout Tee Higgins -- who played just 10 snaps Week 5 against the Ravens after aggravating an ankle injury and hasn't practiced since -- finds himself on the Bengals' Week 6 inactive list.

Gentry (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's practice due to the knee issue, Gentry cleared up any lingering concern about his health by taking every rep Thursday. Meanwhile, top tight end Pat Freiermuth was a limited participant for the second day in a row while he remains in the NFL's five-step protocol for head injuries after suffering the third diagnosed concussion of his two-year career in last Sunday's loss to the Bills. If Freiermuth can't clear the protocol in advance of this Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Gentry and No. 3 tight end Connor Heyward would likely take on elevated roles for Pittsburgh. Gentry saw plenty of usage Week 5 despite Freiermuth playing about half the game, as the 26-year-old finished the blowout loss to Buffalo with five receptions for 43 yards on six targets while taking the field for 64 percent of the snaps on offense.

Pitts (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Ashton Edmunds of the Falcons' official site reports.

Pitts maintained his activity level for a second straight session, which comes on the heels of the first absence of his career due to a hamstring injury. It should be noted that the rookie tight end relayed to Josh Kendall of The Athletic on Wednesday that he expects to be available Sunday against the 49ers, so Pitts' listing on Friday's practice report may back up that sentiment.