NFL Player News

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.

Knox (foot/hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Knox was unable to practice last week before being ruled out ahead of the Bills' Week 5 win over the Steelers. With his return to the field Wednesday, the tight end appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against Kansas City. The Bills will release their first Week 6 injury report later Wednesday, which will reveal the extent of Knox's practice participation.

Head coach Arthur Smith said that Pitts (hamstring) will resume practicing Wednesday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Pitts sat out the Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay after being sidelined for three straight practices with a hamstring issue, so his ability to handle even limited reps Wednesday would be a step in right direction. Smith said the Falcons will monitor Pitts in practice throughout the week before making a decision about his availability for Sunday's contest against the 49ers.

The Texan will sign Akins off the practice squad Wednesday and add him to their 53-man roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Akins, who has been active for three games this season, has recorded seven catches on eight targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in that span. With Brevin Jordan's (ankle) availability still up in the air for when the Texans return to action Week 7, Akins will give the team added tight end depth to go along with O.J. Howard.

The Browns signed Forristall to the practice squad Wednesday.

Forristall had spent time on Cleveland's practice squad earlier this season and even been called up twice, but he was waived after his only game appearance, Week 4 versus Atlanta. Now, he returns to the practice squad and gets a chance to continue his development.