NFL Player News

Kmet was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury.

Kmet, a 2020 draftee, has flashed his second-round pedigree at times this season, including last Thursday in Detroit, where he hauled in eight of 11 targets for 65 yards. He emerged from the contest with a groin issue, however, which will need to be monitored this week to get a sense of his status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Smith (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Smith's knee has been a chronic issue throughout the season, and he hasn't appeared in game since Week 9 against the Raiders while he continues to manage the injury. His absence to begin Week 13 prep doesn't bode well for Smith's early chances of suiting up Sunday in Miami.

Freiermuth (concussion) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The Steelers haven't indicated that Freiermuth has been removed from the NFL's concussion protocol, so while his full participation in practice to begin Week 13 prep is a positive sign, he may need clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Ravens. With Eric Ebron (knee) on injured reserve, Freiermuth is the Steelers' clear-cut top pass-catching tight end when healthy, with Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader behind him as depth options at the position.

Waller (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Waller's absence to begin Week 13 prep was fully expected one day after interim coach Rich Bisaccia referred to the tight end as week-to-week. Unless he's able to get back on the field in some capacity by Friday, Waller isn't looking like a good bet to play in the Raiders' game against Washington this Sunday. Backup tight end Foster Moreau caught only one of five targets for three yards in the team's Thanksgiving Day win over Dallas, but he put up a 6-60-1 receiving line while playing 100 percent of the snaps back in Week 7 when Waller missed a game against the Eagles with an ankle injury.

Seals-Jones (hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones hasn't taken the field since being forced out of a Week 10 matchup against Tampa Bay, but it's encouraging to see him logging limited practice reps. As long as Logan Thomas (hamstring) takes the field Sunday in Las Vegas, however, Seals-Jones likely won't see many snaps on offense.

Thomas (hamstring) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas returned from injured reserve ahead of Monday's 17-15 win over Seattle and caught three of six targets for 31 yards while logging 66 snaps on offense (79 percent). Apart from a near-miss on a potential game-icing touchdown at the end, it was exactly what Thomas' fantasy managers hoped to see from him in his first game since Week 4. He should be ready for his usual three-down role this Sunday against a slumping Las Vegas defense.

Saubert caught his lone target for a one-yard touchdown in Sunday's 28-13 win over the Chargers.

Saubert operated as Denver's No. 3 tight end Sunday and was the recipient of Teddy Bridgewater's only passing touchdown of the contest. The touchdown was Saubert's first in 11 contests this season, and since he's averaging just one target per game, he'll likely need to find the end zone most weeks to deliver meaningful fantasy value. Since that can't be relied upon, Saubert should remain far off the fantasy radar.

Okwuegbunam caught one of two targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 28-13 win over the Chargers.

Okwuegbunam played 45 percent of Denver's offensive snaps, operating as the second option at tight end behind Noah Fant. The 23-year-old likely can't be depended on to produce consistently for fantasy purposes so long as Fant is healthy.

Myarick caught both of his targets for 11 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 13-7 win over the Eagles.

Myarick was responsible for the Giants' only score of the day, reeling in a one-yard grab from Daniel Jones for his first career touchdown. The 26-year-old was promoted from the practice squad ahead of the game to serve as the No. 2 tight end behind Evan Engram with both Kyle Rudolph (ankle) and Kaden Smith (knee) sidelined. When those two are healthy, Myarick could find himself on the inactive list.

Sample failed to draw a target in Sunday's 41-10 win over the Steelers.

Sample played 39 of the Bengals' 68 offensive snaps, just six fewer than starting tight end C.J. Uzomah. The 25-year-old usually isn't a big part of the Cincinnati passing attack even in competitive contests or in games when the Bengals are in catchup mode, but Sample's involvement was even more muted than normal with quarterback Joe Burrow attempting just 24 passes -- his second-fewest of the season -- in the blowout win. Instead, Joe Mixon and the running game was the focal point of the team's offense Week 12.