NFL Player News

Njoku (knee/rest) returned to practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

It remains to be seen if Njoku -- who sat out Wednesday's session -- will be listed as a limited or full participant by the Browns, but the tight end's return to practice Thursday presumably puts him on track to suit up Sunday against the Chargers.

Hockenson (hip) took part in practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Among Lions skill-position players that didn't mix into drills Wednesday, Hockenson, DJ Chark (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) got back on the field, while Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Quintez Cephus (foot) did not. Hockenson's activity level won't be known until the team posts its second injury report of Week 5 prep, but his return to practice is a positive sign in advance of Sunday's game at New England.

Knox (foot/hamstring) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Following back-to-back absences at practice, what Knox is able to do during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his chances of being available Sunday against the Steelers. If he ends up missing the contest, Quintin Morris and Tommy Sweeney would be next in line to handle snaps at tight end for Buffalo in Week 5.

Pitts (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Pitts missed Wednesday's practice, so the tight end's status will be worth monitoring closely ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. In the event that Pitts is sidelined or limited this weekend, Parker Hesse and Anthony Firkser would be in line to see added snaps Week 5.

Smith (ankle) was present for Thursday's practice after sitting out Wednesday's session, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Thursday's injury report will clarify the tight end's participation level, but his return to the field suggests that he has a chance to suit up this weekend against the Lions. Four games into the 2022 season, Jones has caught seven of his 11 targets for 58 yards while working in a timeshare with Hunter Henry.

Jordan (ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Jordan hasn't practiced since tweaking his ankle in the Texans' 16-9 loss to the Broncos in Week 2 and looks to be trending toward a third consecutive absence Sunday in Jacksonville. Before the Texans formally decide on his status for the weekend, they'll wait and see if Jordan can fit in any on-field work Friday. With Pharaoh Brown having since been released and Jordan looking unlikely to be available Week 5, O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins look set to split reps at tight end against the Jaguars.

The Saints signed Holtz off the practice squad Wednesday.

Holtz has landed a permanent spot on New Orleans' active roster after being elevated from the team's practice squad for the first time in Week 4. The 29-year-old served as the team's third-string tight end behind Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson, as Nick Vannett did not see the field Sunday. Though Holtz did not record a target while playing 10 offensive snaps, he seems poised to take over as the team's No. 3 tight end moving forward.

Ferguson did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Ferguson appears to have picked up a knee injury after catching his lone target for seven yards during Sunday's win over the Commanders. The rookie tight end played his second lowest percentage of Dallas' offensive snaps this season in Week 4, though it's unclear exactly when this issue popped up. If Ferguson's health does not improve before Sunday's game against the Rams, then undrafted rookie Peyton Hendershot should step up behind starting tight end Dalton Schultz.

Brown (hip/shoulder) finalized a contract with the Browns on Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Brown's signing was made official after he passed his physical earlier Wednesday, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Though Brown had been dealing with hip and shoulder injuries and missed Week 4 action before he was released by the Texans on Tuesday, the Browns were comfortable enough with what they saw to officially bring him on board. With David Njoku (knee) and Harrison Bryant (illness) both questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Brown could step into some kind of role with his new team right away if he can prove he's healthy enough to suit up.

Long (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Long didn't play in Week 4, marking a third straight absence due to an ankle injury, but he appears to have cleared the issue and, barring a setback, is in line to return in Week 5. If available, the second-year tight end will likely slide into his usual role behind Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe.