NFL Player News

Waller (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Waller sported a red non-contact jersey Wednesday, but by Thursday the tight end was able to practice without said jersey. Waller now has two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Monday night's game against Kansas City, which he'll presumably need to do in order to avoid a Week 5 injury designation.

Ferguson (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Ferguson failed to practice Wednesday due to an apparent knee issue, but his ability to participate during Thursday's session in a limited fashion is a step in the right direction. Friday's practice/injury report should provide further clarity regarding the rookie tight end's availability for Sunday's contest against the Rams, but Dalton Schultz and Peyton Hendershot would presumably take on larger roles if Ferguson is eventually ruled out.

Hill (ribs) practiced fully Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

With Jameis Winston's status in limbo due to back and ankle injuries, Hill is in line to serve as the backup quarterback to Andy Dalton as long as Winston is unavailable. Winston hasn't practiced since Week 3 prep, and his status for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks may gain clarity as soon as Friday. Hill has yet to throw a pass in three games this season, instead rushing 12 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns and hauling in his only target for two yards.

Smith (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

After missing Wednesday's practice, Smith upgraded to limited participation Thursday, signalling that he has a chance to suit up Sunday against the Lions. If he does, Smith would continue to work in a tight end timeshare with Hunter Henry in Week 5.

Hurst (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

The groin issue has prevented Hurst from practicing fully in both of the Bengals' first Week 5 sessions, but he'll have one more chance Friday to increase his activity before the team decides whether he carries an injury designation into Sunday's game in Baltimore. Through four games this season, Cincinnati's top tight end has recorded 14 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown on 21 targets.

Pitts (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

With consecutive absences from practice to begin Week 5 prep, Pitts could be in danger of missing the first game of his NFL career. Even if Pitts is able to get back on the practice field Friday to clear up some concern about his status for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, fantasy managers may still have some hesitancy about including the 22-year-old in lineups. Pitts' contributions have been disappointing in three of his first four games of the season, and he's coming off a Week 4 performance against the Browns in which he played just 62 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps while recording one reception for 25 yards on four targets. The fact that he may not be close to 100 percent healthy if he suits up against the Buccaneers may be another reason for managers to consider replacing him in Week 5 lineups.

Hockenson (hip) was limited in practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Lions' top running back and wide receiver duo of D'Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) remained sidelined in the second session of Week 5 prep, and receivers DJ Chark (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) joined Hockenson with a cap in their reps. If both Swift and St. Brown are out Sunday at New England, Hockenson again would be in line for a significant workload after putting up an 8-179-2 line on 12 targets Week 4 against the Seahawks, assuming he gains clearance to play. Friday's practice report may provide clarity on Hockenson's chances to suit up this weekend.

Njoku (knee/rest) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku sat out the Browns' first Week 5 practice session a day earlier, but the fact that he had a "rest" designation attached to his name along with the knee injury suggested his status for Sunday's game against the Chargers was never in much question. His return to practice as a full participant verifies that, and Njoku should remain one of Jacoby Brissett's favorite targets this weekend. Over the past two games, Njoku has drawn 17 looks and has turned them into 14 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Sullivan (back) did not participate during the Panthers' practice Thursday.

Sullivan appears to have picked up a back injury after logging a full practice Wednesday, though the exact nature and severity of this issue are unclear. The third-year tight end recorded his lone catch of the season in Week 2, and he has played 40 of his 47 total snaps on special teams over three games. Sullivan will have once more practice to improve his status before Sunday's game against San Francisco.

Bryant (illness) was able to practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bryant sat out practice Wednesday due to the illness, but he returned in some form Thursday. The Browns have not released their official practice report yet, so it's not clear if he was a limited or full participant. However, either would be a step in the right direction for the third-year tight end. With David Njoku (knee) and recent signee Pharaoh Brown (hip) both questionable for Sunday against the Chargers as well, Bryant could potentially find himself in a significant role, if he plays.