NFL Player News

Waller (knee) was listed as limited again on Thursday's practice estimate, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Waller, who last suited up Week 12, now has been listed as limited in the Raiders' two walkthroughs this week due to a knee issue, so what he's able to do Friday should add a degree of clarity with regard to the tight end's chances of suiting up for Sunday night's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff versus the Chargers.

Vannett was activated off of the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The tight end was placed on the COVID list Jan. 1, forcing him to miss the Saints' Week 17 win over the Panthers. Vannett will now return ahead of a must-win Week 18 matchup with the Falcons, though his role will likely be limited as a result of him playing a secondary role behind Adam Trautman.

Akins didn't participate in Thursday's practice session due to an illness.

Akins wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, but he was unable to participate in practice Thursday. Since he wasn't placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Texans presumably believe that the tight end is dealing with a non-COVID illness. However, his participation Friday should provide some clarity regarding his status for Sunday's matchup against Tennessee.

Wright (groin) remained limited at Thursday's practice.

The tight end opened the week with a limited practice Wednesday and was at that level again Thursday. Wright still has Friday's practice to ramp up his activity ahead of the Lions' season finale versus the Packers on Sunday.

Fant (quadriceps) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Chiefs, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Fant received clearance for the season finale after practicing fully Thursday after he had been listed as a limited participant on the Broncos' initial two Week 18 reports. The tight end is coming off an impressive 6-92-1 receiving performance in the Broncos' Week 17 loss to the Chargers, but he could be in store for a reduction in the seven targets he saw in the previous contest now that starting wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick have been cleared to play following one-game stints on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Njoku (shoulder) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice session, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Njoku hauled in all four of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Monday's loss to the Steelers, but he's been held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. He'll likely need to return in some capacity Friday if he hopes to play Sunday against the Bengals.

Pitts (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

Four days removed from not playing the second half of the Falcons' Week 17 loss at Buffalo, Pitts made his first appearance on the field since sustaining a hamstring injury. During a media session Thursday he relayed that he feels "good" and believes he'll be able to play Sunday against the Saints, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal Pitts' odds to suit up this weekend, when he'll need 59 yards to break Mike Ditka's rookie record of 1,076 receiving yards for a tight end.

Uzomah (knee/hip) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Uzomah was on the field for 90 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps in Sunday's win over Kansas City but has been forced to miss the first two days of practice ahead of Week 18. He'll likely need to return to the practice field Friday if he hopes to suit up Sunday against the Browns. However, the 28-year-old could be limited or held out as a precaution in Week 18 since the Bengals have already clinched a playoff spot.

The Chiefs signed Bushman to their practice squad Tuesday, Charles Goldman of USA Today reports.

Bushman has spent most of the season on the Raiders' practice squad and played exclusively on special teams when he was elevated to the active roster. He'll now serve as organizational depth for Kansas City late in the regular season and during the playoffs.

Pitts (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

A hamstring issue limited Pitts to a season-low 52 percent share of offensive snaps this past Sunday at Buffalo, but a 61-yard catch helped him pass the 60-yard threshold for the ninth time in 16 games in his first pro campaign. As a result, he now holds the Falcons receiving record for a rookie with 1,018 yards, but it remains to be seen if he'll get to build on that total Week 18 against the Saints. At the very least, Pitts is back on the practice field Thursday after sitting out one day prior.