NFL Player News

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.

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.