NFL Player News

Head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Thursday that he hopes to have Dulcich (hamstring) back from injured reserve for the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Chargers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

The third-round rookie out of UCLA has missed the Broncos' first five games of the season, but he was cleared to resume practicing Tuesday and looks to be making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Broncos will presumably assess Dulcich in practices over the next three days before deciding whether he's fit to handle some snaps in Monday's game. With Albert Okwuegbunam having handled a lesser role than anticipated with Hackett at the helm, Dulcich could get the opportunity to step in as Denver's top pass-catching tight end once he gets up to full speed. If he's active for Week 6, Dulcich will likely be tasked with only a limited role in his first game back from his injury.

Smythe (hamstring) did not participate during the Dolphins' practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Smythe was forced out with a hamstring injury during Miami's Week 5 loss to the Jets, though the exact nature of this issue is still unclear. His absence from practice Wednesday appears to indicate that this issue may affect his availability heading Sunday's game against the Vikings. Smythe caught six of seven targets for 50 yards through the first five games of the season, and his potential absence would lead to a bigger role for fellow tight end Mike Gesicki in Week 6.

Higbee was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Higbee joined Cooper Kupp (foot) on the sideline to kick off Week 6 prep, which isn't surprising after head coach Sean McVay told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times earlier Wednesday that the teams will "be smart" with a few key contributors this week. Kupp and Higbee rank first and second on the team in terms of catches, targets and receiving yards, respectively, this season, so their statuses will be of keen interest as the weekend approaches.

Freiermuth (concussion) was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

During this past Sunday's blowout loss at Buffalo, Freiermuth made an early exit from the contest due to a concussion. After initially listing Freiermuth as a non-participant on the first Week 6 injury report, the team issued a correction later Wednesday, noting that he practiced in a limited capacity. With that knowledge, Freiermuth is further along in the protocol for head injuries than thought and has a clearer path to being available Sunday against the Buccaneers. The second-year player has two chances this week to get back to full participation in practice, at which point the team may provide some clarity into his upcoming availability.

Higbee didn't take part in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

The same can be said for Cooper Kupp (undisclosed), but head coach Sean McVay said earlier Wednesday that the Rams will "be smart" with a few key players this week, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. Higbee's current concern isn't known, but Wednesday's injury report will reveal what exactly the tight end is dealing with.

Bates could make another start Thursday against the Bears with fellow tight end Logan Thomas (calf) ruled out for a second straight game.

Bates handled a three-down role a few times late last season when Thomas was out, but in the Week 5 loss to the Titans, the Commanders often subbed in Cole Turner for obvious passing situations. As a result, Bates was limited to playing 59 percent of snaps, though he reeled in his three targets for 39 yards. Meanwhile, Turner finished without a catch on three targets and 32 snaps (51 percent).

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.