NFL Player News

Hopkins (illness) was able to practice in full Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Hopkins got in a full practice Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday. Hopkins, a converted wide receiver from Purdue, was expected to step into a bigger role in 2021 with Gerald Everett going to Seattle, but he fell behind 2021 fourth-round selection Jacob Harris on the depth chart. Hopkins played in five games in 2020 but was mostly used on special teams and never saw a target. He'll try to push his way up the depth chart and earn a chance to play Sunday against the Titans.

Wesco (knee) is active Thursday against the Colts, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Wesco injured his knee in practice ahead of Week 8 and missed the Jets' game against the Bengals. It was previously reported Wesco was expected to play after logging a full practice Wednesday, so this news doesn't come as a surprise. Wesco will slot in third on the Jets' tight end depth chart behind Tyler Kroft and Ryan Griffin in a mostly blocking role.

Jordan (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Jordan was added to the Texans' Week 9 injury report Thursday, so those in leagues deep enough to consider the rookie tight end will want to see how he's listed Friday. Meanwhile, Pharaoh Brown (thigh) remained sidelined during Thursday's session. Brown's absence in Week 8 paved the way for Jordan to make his regular season-debut in this past Sunday's loss to the Rams, en route to catching three of his four targets for 41 yards and a TD.

Bryant (thigh) was limited at practice Thursday.

Bryant was added to the Browns' Week 9 injury report Thursday, which suggests that he may have sustained an in-practice injury. Either way, Bryant's fantasy ceiling is limited with Austin Hooper and David Njoku also in the team's tight end mix.

Smith (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Smith played through a knee injury in Monday's loss to Kansas City and has been limited in each of the two practice sessions ahead of Week 9. If he hopes to avoid the injury report, he'll likely need to practice fully Friday.

Hill (concussion) practiced in full Thursday.

Considering he was limited Wednesday in his first practice since sustaining a concussion Week 5, Hill likely still has to meet with an independent neurologist to be cleared for game action, but he's inched closer to making his return. The Saints have yet to make a decision on who will be under center Sunday against the Falcons in the wake of Jameis Winston's season-ending knee injury from Week 8. Coach Sean Payton may want to see where Hill stands as of Friday, but Hill and Trevor Siemian remain in play to be the Saints' starting quarterback this weekend.

Fant (illness), who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday following a positive test for the virus, could still have a chance to play Sunday in Dallas, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.

According to Stoia, Fant is vaccinated, which gives him a chance for a quicker return than an unvaccinated player, who would be forced to remain away from the team for at least 10 days following a positive test. Fant has continued to test positive since entering quarantine, so he'll still need to submit two negative test results at least 24 hours apart and display no symptoms of the virus before he's eligible to rejoin the Broncos. The team should have more clarity heading into Sunday whether Fant is available or not, but Albert Okwuegbunam would be the next man up to fill in as Denver's starting tight end, assuming Okwuegbunam can overcome the knee injury that limited him in practice to begin the week.

Knox (hand) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Knox, who is bouncing back from a hand procedure, is considered day-to-day, but back-to-back practice absences cloud his status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. If he's unable to gain clearance to play this weekend, Tommy Sweeney once again would be in line to head the Bills' tight end corps Week 9.

Wesco (knee) is expected to play in the Jets' Week 9 contest Thursday against the Colts, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Wesco injured his knee at practice ahead of Week 8 and was unable to suit up Sunday against the Bengals. The tight end managed to log a limited practice Tuesday then a full practice Wednesday. If Wesco is unable to suit up, expect Ryan Griffin to see extended snaps behind Tyler Kroft on Thursday.

Okwuegbunam was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Okwuegbunam was previously sidelined Weeks 5 through 7 due to a hamstring injury, but he returned to action in Sunday's win over Washington and played 49 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps and hauled in all three of his targets for 34 yards. He's now contending with a new injury, but the fact that he was on the practice field in any capacity to begin Week 9 suggests he'll likely be ready to go for this weekend's game in Dallas. If cleared to play, Okwuegbunam could step into a larger role in Denver's passing attack after top tight end Noah Fant (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.