NFL Player News

Kincaid (knee) isn't practicing Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Kincaid was also deemed a non-participant for Wednesday's walk-through practice, so what he's able to do Friday will loom large in determining his status for Sunday's game against the Browns. If Kincaid isn't available this weekend, Dawson Knox would likely be in line for elevated snaps as the Bills' clear top tight end.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who was also a spectator for Wednesday's practice, will have one more chance to get in some on-field work before the Browns post their Week 16 injury designations Friday. If Njoku ends up missing his second straight game Sunday versus the Bills, rookie tight end Harold Fannin would once again be locked in for a sizable role after playing 90-plus percent of the offensive snaps in each of the previous four games.

The Dolphins cut Conner from the practice squad Wednesday.

Conner was brought back by Miami on the practice squad in early November after being waived from the team's active roster, but he'll now be on the lookout for a team in need of depth at tight end. He appeared in each of the Dolphins' first nine games of the regular season, splitting his time between special teams and offense and accumulating nine catches (on 15 targets) for 91 yards.

Vannett (oblique) does not carry an injury designation into Thursday's game against the Seahawks, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

An oblique injury limited Vannett's participation in Monday's and Tuesday's walkthrough practices, but the veteran tight end has been cleared to play in Week 16 after logging a full practice Wednesday. He's mostly served on special teams this season and will operate as the Rams' TE4 behind Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen for Thursday night's game.

Thomas (calf) logged a full practice Wednesday.

Thomas was sidelined for the Raiders' Week 15 game against the Eagles. After logging a full session, he should be ready to return Sunday against the Texans. While Thomas has logged around a 50 percent offensive snap rate in his last few healthy games, he has not reached 40 receiving yards in a game this season and has surpassed 20 yards only once.

Waller (rest/knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller logged a 54 percent snap share in Monday's 28-15 loss to the Steelers en route to catching seven of his eight targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. Given that the Dolphins held a walk-through Wednesday, Thursday's injury report should add more relevant context to the tight end's Week 16 status, but so far there's nothing to suggest that he'll miss this weekend's game against the Bengals, which will mark QB Quinn Ewers' first regular-season start.

Sample (neck) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

It's a new injury for Sample, who has appeared in all 14 games this season, including 11 starts. Sample doesn't do much other than block, as he's recorded just a 9-50-1 receiving line on 14 targets across 50 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps.

Fant (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Fant was forced off the field during the second quarter of Cincinnati's loss to the Ravens in Week 15 due to a right ankle issue, and he appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Dolphins. If Fant isn't able to gain clearance for Week 16, Tanner Hudson will operate as the No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki.

Taylor (neck) is listed as a non-participant for Wednesday's walk-through practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor didn't participate last week and apparently wouldn't have practiced Wednesday if the Jets had held a normal session. It's not looking great for Sunday's game at New Orleans, potentially giving Jeremy Ruckert another chance to fill in as the starting tight end.

Otton (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Otton was unable to suit up for last Thursday's loss to the Falcons, but he could have a more realistic shot at taking the field for Sunday's key divisional matchup against the Panthers. However, with Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan both having returned to the lineup Week 15, joining wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, there may not be enough targets left up for grabs for Otton to make much of an impact in the receiving game, even if healthy.