NFL Player News

Pitts (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Pitts said Wednesday that he expects to play, but the Falcons may still view it as an unresolved matter ahead of their 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. The tight end returned to limited practices Wednesday through Friday after sitting out all of last week and ultimately missing the 21-15 loss to Tampa Bay. His absence led to a jump in playing time for converted college quarterback Feleipe Franks, who finished with two targets (both incomplete) on 30 snaps (45 percent) after playing just six snaps total over the first four weeks of the season.

Sullivan (back) was a full participant at Friday's practice ahead of the Panthers' Week 6 game against the Rams, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Sullivan will be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with Los Angeles after logging a full practice Friday. With Baker Mayfield (ankle) unlikely to play, the tight end faces uphill odds to build off his one reception this season.

Turner caught both of his targets for 23 yards in a 12-7 win over the Bears on Thursday, playing 93 percent of snaps on offense with fellow tight ends Logan Thomas (calf) and John Bates (hamstring) both unavailable.

Thomas was on the inactive list for a second straight week, while Bates didn't log any playing time due to a hamstring injury suffered during pregame warmups. Turner thus found himself in a three-down role, after seeing 51 percent of snaps and three targets (zero catches) the week before in a timeshare with Bates. Turner, a rookie fifth-round pick, could have some deep-league appeal for Week 7 against the Packers if both Thomas and Bates are sidelined again. His prospects for fantasy production will be minimal if either of those two returns.

Bates (hamstring) didn't play any snaps in Thursday's game against the Bears.

Bates injured his hamstring in pregame warmups, leaving the Commanders with Cole Turner and Armani Rogers at tight end. The week before, Bates and Turner had worked in tandem with Logan Thomas (calf) inactive, drawing three targets apiece. Turner played 93 percent of offensive snaps in Thursday's win over the Bears, and he could have a similar role Week 7 against Green Bay if neither Thomas nor Bates is ready to play. The TE spot in Washington hasn't provided much production this year, with a combined output of 225 yards (37.5 per game) and one touchdown through six weeks.

Kmet caught one pass for 15 yards in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday.

Even though Justin Fields threw a season-high 27 passes, Kmet was targeted just three times. He's failed to surpass 16 yards in four of six games while not posting more than 46 yards in any game. Unless he sees a significant change in his role, he'll remain a lackluster option for fantasy.

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.