NFL Player News

Kittle (groin) has been cleared for Sunday's game against Denver, avoiding a designation on the 49ers' final injury report, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle was close to playing Week 2 against the Seahawks and might have been rushed back had the game been later in the season or against a better team. He'll instead make his 2022 debut in Denver, facing a defense that's yet to go up against a top receiving threat at tight end this year. It'll also be the first start of 2022 for longtime teammate Jimmy Garoppolo, who takes over for Trey Lance after the young QB suffered a season-ending ankle fracture last week.

Hockenson (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Justin Rogers of The Detroit News suggests each of the four Lions listed as questionable is likely to play, including Hockenson and RB D'Andre Swift (ankle). The tight end managed limited practice participation Wednesday through Friday, putting him on track to be active ahead of the team's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday. If not, Brock Wright would be the best bet for snaps and targets at tight end for the Lions.

Uzomah (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Uzomah logged a full practice Friday after a pair of limited sessions, putting him in a good position to return against his former team and limit his absence to just one game. Cimini adds that all the Jets listed as questionable for Week 3 are expected to play, further bolstering Uzomah's outlook.

Long (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Long will miss a second straight game after picking up an ankle issue during the season opener. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but he hasn't practiced since before Week 1. Cethan Carter (concussion) also remains out, so Tanner Conner will continue to operate as the backup behind Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe, who both garner sizable roles in Miami's offense.

Hill (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Advocate reports.

Hill was limited in all three of the Saints' practices during the week. If the versatile Hill suits up, he potentially could get a few more opportunities to throw or run the ball depending on the availability of Jameis Winston (back/ankle) and Alvin Kamara (ribs), who both are questionable as well.

Hurst (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after being limited in practice Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hurst sandwiched Thursday's full practice between a pair of limited sessions. He'll likely be able to suit up barring a setback, but if Hurst can't go Sunday, the Bengals would be down to third- and fourth-stringers Mitchell Wilcox and Devin Asiasi at tight end with Drew Sample (knee) sidelined.

Knox (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Knox logged limited sessions Thursday and Friday after missing practice Wednesday on the heels of Monday's blowout win over Tennessee. If Buffalo's top tight end were to sit out this weekend, Quintin Morris and Tommy Sweeney would be called upon to fill Knox's shoes.

Schultz (knee) remained sidelined at Friday's practice, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Schultz missed a second consecutive practice, though he managed to do some ball-skill work on the side. The tight end will have one more opportunity to ramp up his practice activity Saturday, at which point a final decision on his availability for Monday's game against the Giants could become known. If Schultz were to miss the clash between NFC East rivals, rookie Jake Ferguson would bump up to the top of Dallas' tight end depth chart.

Uzomah (hamstring) fully participated in Friday's practice session, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Uzomah was limited at practice over the last two days due to a hamstring injury, but his full participation Friday is certainly encouraging ahead of Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Bengals. While coach Robert Saleh said Monday that Uzomah would be a game-time decision this week, it seems likely that the tight end will be available against his former team.

Brown (shoulder) is dressed for practice Friday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Brown's MRI revealed that he's dealing with an aggravation of scar tissue from a previous injury, so he's dodged a worst-case scenario. With Brevin Jordan (ankle) trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against the Bears, Brown stands to handle increased reps along with O.J. Howard, if he's able to suit up.