NFL Player News

Bryant was not targeted over 34 offensive snaps in Thursday's 29-17 win over Pittsburgh in Week 3.

Bryant battled thumb and thigh issues on the short week but managed to play 47 percent of the offensive snaps, which is his average through three games. Not targeting him may have been part of the plan to limit exposing Bryant to injury. That worked out well for primary tight end David Njoku, who broke out with nine catches (on 10 targets) for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Freiermuth brought in two of four targets for 41 yards in the Steelers' 29-17 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.

The talented tight end actually finished second in receiving yards for the Steelers on the night, but Freiermuth had been shut out on the stat sheet until Pittsburgh's penultimate drive. Freiermuth did contribute a 26-yard grab, however, establishing a new career high with his third reception of over 20 yards on the season. The Penn State product's target total was a season low, but he'll have a good chance to bounce back while facing an inconsistent Jets defense in a Week 4 home matchup a week from Sunday.

Njoku corralled nine of 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 29-17 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

The tight end set a new career high in receptions after previously counting a pair of seven-catch tallies as his personal best in that category. Njoku consistently got open against Steelers linebackers, and his seven-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter snapped a 7-7 tie while serving as his first trip to the end zone since Week 17 of last season, also versus Pittsburgh. Njoku's target tally was also his highest since back-to-back games with 11 in Baker Mayfield's rookie 2018 campaign, sending the 2017 first-rounder into a Week 4 road matchup versus the Falcons a week from Sunday with plenty of momentum.

Kittle (groin) was limited at practice Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After Kittle returned to practice last Friday, coach Kyle Shanahan said the veteran tight end looked "awesome," and while he's taken part in both official sessions this week, he's yet to handle every practice rep. Friday will be Kittle's last chance to do so during Week 3 prep, after which the 49ers may hand him an injury designation for Sunday's game at Denver. If he ends up limited or even out this weekend, Kittle would yield TE reps to Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner, with Tyler Kroft tending to a sprained MCL.

Hill (ribs) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

While a rib injury is never the greatest thing for a rugged runner like Hill, the fact that he was a limited practice participant both Wednesday and Thursday sets him on a reasonably good track to play his usual off-the-bench role against Carolina on Sunday.

Schultz (knee) did not practice Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jon Machota of The Athletic previously reported that Dallas would increase Schultz's practice workload "a little" each day leading up to Monday's game against the Giants, so by that reading Schultz's absence from Thursday's practice is inconclusive about his current status. If Schultz progresses to a limited practice Friday then he might have a shot to suit up Monday, but if Schultz goes into Saturday with no practice time logged it might make him a long shot at that point.

Brown (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.

Brown was not on the injury report Wednesday, so that he was listed as a non-participant rather than a limited participant Thursday might indicate Brown developed the shoulder injury following Wednesday's practice. With no diagnosis or other clarity offered by Houston in the meantime, a wide range of outcomes are possible for Brown. If he returns to practice Friday he should have a good shot of playing against Chicago on Sunday, but if he misses Friday's practice then the Texans might need O.J. Howard to step up into a three-down role since fellow tight end Brevin Jordan (ankle) is also looking iffy for Sunday.

Jordan (ankle) did not practice Thursday.

Jordan still has Friday to make a potential practice appearance this week, but even if he does he's not likely to be especially close to full strength. The Texans also will have to watch the status of Pharaoh Brown, who popped up on the injury report Thursday with a shoulder issue. O.J. Howard would likely have to do any lifting Jordan or/and Brown cannot against Chicago in Week 3.

Hurst (groin) returned to a full practice Thursday, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Hurst, who was on the field for 57 of 70 snaps on offense and caught five of his seven targets for 24 yards in the Bengals' Week 2 loss to the Cowboys, thus is slated to continue to start at tight end Sunday against the Jets. Through two games, he's logged 15 total targets and recorded back-to-back five-catch efforts, a level of output that gives the 29-year-old modest fantasy utility in PPR formats.

Hockenson (hip) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Hockenson has opened Week 3 prep with back-to-back capped sessions as he deals with a hip injury. He'll look to log every rep Friday, but even if he's unable to, he doesn't seem to be a candidate to sit out Sunday in Minnesota. Friday's practice report could provide some insight into Hockenson's upcoming availability.