NFL Player News

Thomas (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Thomas missed all of training camp while finishing up his rehab from ACL surgery in December, but he seems to have progressed quickly since being activated from the PUP list Aug. 22. It nonetheless seems wise to treat him as truly questionable ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, especially given that he managed only limited practices Wednesday and Thursday. If he does play, the 31-year-old tight end likely will share snaps with John Bates rather than handling his three-down role of years past. Thomas might be able to regain that type of role eventually, but the short-term fantasy outlook carries far more downside risk than upside.

Ertz (calf) is participating in the open portion of Friday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

It's a good sign for Ertz after he was a limited participant Wednesday and didn't practice Thursday. He's likely a limited participant again, and we'll know for sure Friday afternoon when the final injury report comes out.

Knox caught one of two targets for five yards in Buffalo's season-opening win over the Rams on Thursday.

This is a disappointing performance given the Bills scored four offensive touchdowns and Josh Allen completed 26 passes, but Allen was hot Thursday and was able to find his wideouts all night long, reducing the necessity for a big target like Knox to move the chains. There will be better days than this for sure, as the newly extended tight end ($53.6 million) will be plenty involved when opposing defenses choose to show a different look than the Rams did Thursday.

Higbee secured five of 11 targets for 39 yards in the Rams' 31-10 loss to the Bills on Thursday night.

Higbee ended up second in targets behind Cooper Kupp on a night when Matthew Stafford was forced to often get rid of the ball quickly due to constant pressure. The veteran tight end could potentially play an even bigger role than he did during a 2021 season where he accrued the second-highest reception (61) and receiving yardage (560) totals of his career, as the departures of Robert Woods (knee) and Odell Beckham (knee) should open up some additional targets in the air attack despite the offseason acquisition of Allen Robinson. Higbee will aim to build on the solid Week 1 tally when the Rams take on the Falcons in a Week 2 clash a week from Sunday.

Morris (hamstring) was ruled inactive for Thursday's game against the Rams.

Morris failed to practice Monday and Tuesday, but he was able to log a limited session Wednesday. While the 252-pounder continues to deal with his hamstring issue, the Bills will be without their No. 3 tight end Thursday night against the Rams.

Tonyan (knee) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A little more than 10 months removed from tearing the ACL in his left knee Week 8 of last season, Tonyan seemingly has a chance to suit up for the Packers' Week 1 visit to the Vikings after notching back-to-back capped sessions. Friday's injury report may provide clarity for his availability heading into the weekend. If Green Bay ends up exercising caution with Tonyan for the season opener and holds him out, though, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis and Tyler Davis would be in line for the reps at tight end.

Parham (hamstring) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice.

Back-to-back missed practices set the stage for what Parham is able to do Friday to be pivotal with regard to his status for Sunday's season opener against the Raiders. If he's out or limited this weekend, Tre' McKitty would be a candidate to see added tight end snaps behind Gerald Everett.

Ertz (calf) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

After logging a limited session Wednesday, Ertz seemingly has taken a step back as he continues his recovery from the calf issue that sidelined him starting Aug. 4. Due to his veteran status, though, Thursday's absence could be maintenance-related or a veteran day off, so his listing on Friday's practice report will be notable as the Cardinals prepare for Sunday's season opener versus the Chiefs. If Ertz ends up being limited or inactive this weekend, rookie second-round pick Trey McBride and Maxx Williams will serve as Arizona's primary tight ends.

Kittle (groin) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Kittle's status for a Week 1 road matchup with the Bears is up in the air due to a groin injury that he sustained during an unofficial practice Monday. The issue has sidelined him for both official sessions this week and also is considered serious enough to threaten his availability for Sunday, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. Kittle has one more opportunity to mix into drills Friday, at which point the 49ers may provide some clarity into his odds to suit up this weekend. If Kittle is unable to play, Tyler Kroft, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley will be on hand to man tight end for San Francisco.

Kittle, who sat out the 49ers' first official practice of the week Wednesday, is dealing with a groin injury that's considered serious enough to potentially sideline him for Sunday's season opener in Chicago, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

According to Wilson, Kittle suffered the injury in question during an unofficial practice session Monday and was unable to take the field when the 49ers began Week 1 prep in earnest two days later. Head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Wednesday that Kittle's status would be evaluated on a day-by-day basis leading up to the season opener, but the veteran tight end may need to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have a realistic shot at playing Sunday. Tyler Kroft would be the next man up at tight end if the three-time Pro Bowler isn't able to play in Chicago.