NFL Player News

Schultz (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schultz aggravated the PCL sprain in his right knee this past Sunday at the Rams, an injury that he initially sustained Week 2. He lasted just nine offensive snaps in the Cowboys' most recent outing before hitting the sideline. Fortunately for the fifth-year pro, he didn't suffer any new damage to his knee, and there's a belief that if he gets through Week 6 prep OK, he should be able to play this Sunday in Philadelphia, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Schultz has two more sessions in front of him before Dallas potentially makes a determination on his status for game day.

Hill (ribs) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hill was listed with the same injury last week, but he ended up suiting up in Sunday's win over the Seahawks and proceeded to score three touchdowns on the ground while passing for a fourth. He even picked up 112 yards on nine carries after taking no more than five carries in each of his first three games this season. Hill is unlikely to match the Week 5 eruption anytime soon, but the red-zone-heavy rushing work is enough to give him some value in formats where he's classified as a tight end rather than a quarterback.

Smith (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Smith was inactive for this past Sunday's win over the Lions, but he's now logged three straight limited practices, which suggests that he could return to action this weekend against the Browns. If he remains sidelined, however, Hunter Henry would once again be in line for added snaps at tight end for New England.

Gentry (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Gentry saw an increased role during the team's Week 5 loss to the Patriots after Pat Freiermuth (concussion) left the game, but he appears to have picked up an injury as well, leaving Connor Heyward, a rookie sixth-round pick, as the only tight end to practice Wednesday. The extent of Gentry's knee injury remains unclear, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Week 6.

Hurst (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Hurst has been dealing with the groin injury since at least Week 3, and while his workload was scaled back for a couple of games, he rebounded to 81 percent snap share in Sunday's 19-17 loss to Baltimore, catching six of seven targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Hurst should be out there again this weekend in New Orleans.

Pitts (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

One week removed from not practicing at all before missing the first game of his career this past Sunday at Tampa Bay, Pitts was back on the field as Atlanta gears up for a Week 6 matchup with the 49ers. He told Josh Kendall of The Athletic on Wednesday that he expects to return Sunday, but he may need to practice in full Thursday and/or Friday to enter the weekend without a designation.

Freiermuth (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Freiermuth remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, while fellow tight end Zach Gentry missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury. If neither Freiermuth nor Gentry is able to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, rookie Connor Heyward would be the Steelers' next man up at tight end.

Knox (foot/hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Knox, who missed the Bills' Week 5 win over the Steelers, didn't practice at all last week, so his return to the field Wednesday bodes well for his chances of returning to action Sunday against the Chiefs. In Knox's absence against Pittsburgh, Quintin Morris led Buffalo's tight-end corps with three catches on five targets for 39 yards.

Thomas (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Thomas will miss a second straight game after failing to practice Tuesday or Wednesday. John Bates and Cole Turner split tight end snaps in the Week 5 loss to Tennessee, and if the timeshare arrangement continues Thursday, it'll be hard to count on either for more than 2-to-3 targets in Thomas 'absence.

Kroft (knee) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kroft suffered an MCL sprain during Week 2 and has remained sidelined since. His return to practice is an encouraging sign, but given his lengthy absence, the veteran tight end will likely need to log a few full practices in a row before he's cleared for game action.