NFL Player News

Pitts is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, after Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Friday that he'd wait until Saturday to determine the tight end's availability, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Pitts thus enters the weekend uncertain for Atlanta's season finale, but with reason to believe another update will be available long before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If the standout rookie doesn't play, Hayden Hurst and Parker Hesse will see most of the targets at tight end, with wideouts Russell Gage, Tajae Sharpe and Olamide Zaccheaus also candidates for more target volume.

Coach Arthur Smith suggested Friday that the Falcons may wait until Saturday to decide if Pitts (hamstring) can play in Sunday's game against New Orleans, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

In other words, Pitts likely will be listed as questionable and may need to be treated as a game-time decision heading into the weekend, though it sounds like his status will be determined Saturday rather than Sunday morning/afternoon. The Falcons and Saints kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Njoku (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

With the Browns eliminated from playoff contention, it remains to be seen if Njoku will be activated for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's out or limited this weekend, Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant would be in line to head the team's tight end corps in Week 18.

Seals-Jones (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones made some noise earlier in the season when Logan Thomas missed time with a hamstring injury, but Washington later turned to a timeshare between RSJ and rookie John Bates after Thomas suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Bates now figures to close out the season in a three-down role, though he can't match Thomas or Seals-Jones when it comes to speed/ athleticism. In any case, Seals-Jones finishes the year with a 30-271-2 receiving line on 49 targets, and he's now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent right around the time of his 27th birthday in mid-March.

Dissly (heel) was absent from the Seahawks' practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The tight end has been absent from both of the Seahawks' first two practices of the week while dealing with a heel injury, putting his ability to play Sunday against the Cardinals in question. If Dissly is unable to play in Week 18, Colby Parkinson would operate as the primary reserve option behind Gerald Everett.

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.