NFL Player News

Pitts (hamstring) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Pitts managed only about one half of action this past Sunday in Buffalo before sitting out the rest of the contest with a hamstring injury. He still managed two reception (on four targets) for 69 yards, with the bulk of his production coming on a 61-yard catch-and-run late in the second quarter. If Pitts doesn't do enough in practice this week to make an appearance Sunday versus the Saints, he'll finish the campaign with a Falcons rookie record 1,018 receiving yards across 16 appearances.

Carolina activated Tremble (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The rookie will return to his timeshare at tight end with Ian Thomas after missing the Week 17 loss at New Orleans. Tremble and the Panthers close out their disappointing season this Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Seals-Jones (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Even before Seals-Jones exited last week's loss to the Eagles when he was carted off the field following a sideline collision with a cameraman, John Bates had been taking on more of Washington's tight-end snaps over the past few games. Bates should have a three-down role Week 18 against the Giants if Seals-Jones isn't able to play.

The Jets activated Kroft (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Kroft is in line to suit up Sunday against the Bills and should reclaim his role as the Jets' top tight end after Kenny Yeboah and Daniel Brown (hip) filled in for him in the Week 17 loss to the Buccaneers. Through his eight appearances on the season, Kroft has compiled a 15-168-1 receiving line on 22 targets.

Njoku is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report due to a shoulder issue, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Njoku will have two more chances to log practice activity ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Bengals. If Njoku is cleared to play this weekend, he'll likely be catching passes from Case Keenum, as head coach Kevin Stefanski has already ruled Baker Mayfield (shoulder) out for the finale.

Jacksonville activated Hollister (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Hollister tested positive for the virus last Tuesday and was sidelined for the Jaguars' Week 17 blowout loss to the Patriots. In his last appearance, he caught both of his targets for a season-high 20 receiving yards. With James O'Shaughnessy (hip) iffy for Sunday's season finale and Dan Arnold (knee) no safe bet to return from injured reserve, Hollister could have a role in the Jaguars' Week 18 game plan if neither of the former two options are available.

The Jaguars activated Arnold (knee) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and restored him to injured reserve.

Arnold was placed on the list Dec. 27, five days after being designated for return from IR. Now that he's cleared the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol, Arnold can turn his attention to proving that he's fully recovered from the sprained MCL he sustained Week 12. If Arnold fares well in practices Wednesday through Friday, he could be activated ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Colts, potentially stepping back in as the Jaguars' top tight end.

McKitty caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

McKitty saw increased playing time Sunday with both Jared Cook (reserve/COVID-19) and Donald Parham (concussion) out for the contest. The rookie shared tight-end duties with Stephen Anderson, though McKitty played just 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps compared to Anderson's 78 percent share. McKitty, however, was more involved in the passing game, seeing three targets to Anderson's one. Parham remains on injured reserve, so if Cook isn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Week 18, McKitty will likely split reps with Anderson once again Sunday versus the Raiders.

Okwuegbunam caught both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Chargers.

Operating as the Broncos' No. 2 tight end, Okwuegbunam didn't see much work in the passing game despite being on the field for half of the Broncos' snaps on offense. Meanwhile, starter Noah Fant caught six of his seven targets for 92 yards and a touchdown, taking full advantage of the absences of starting wideouts Jerry Jeudy (illness) and Tim Patrick (illness), who were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Okwuegbunam is a young player with a lot of talent, but he'll likely continue to play second fiddle to Fant at tight end in the Broncos' Week 18 matchup with the Chiefs.

Wolf was activated from the Saints' practice squad COVID list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

The tight end was placed on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 31, missing the Saints' Week 17 win over the Panthers. Wolf will return to a healthy tight end room, greatly limiting his potential impact for Week 18.