NFL Player News

Smith (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

The tight end was one of 15 players the Patriots listed as limited Wednesday, but his presence at practice is nonetheless encouraging, given that Smith exited Sunday's win over the Jets with the shoulder injury. In order to avoid a Week 8 injury designation, Smith will presumably need to practice fully by Friday.

Hill (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Hill hasn't been seen on the practice field since sustaining a concussion back in Week 5. Following a Week 6 bye, he sat out Monday's win over Seattle, and he doesn't appear to have made much progress through the protocol for head injuries. If he requires another absence for the Saints' Week 8 showdown with the Bucs, Hill will yield backup quarterback duties to Trevor Siemian.

Hockenson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to ankle and knee injuries.

Hockenson has been saddled with a knee injury for most of October, and now an ankle issue has reared its head on the Lions' initial Week 8 practice report. In three games since the knee issue first surfaced, Hockenson has compiled a modest 16-144-0 receiving line on 23 targets. Hockenson again will look to ditch the designations before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the Eagles, if not by the release of the Lions' final Week 8 injury report Friday.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Kittle (calf) to return for the 49ers' Week 9 game against the Cardinals, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle payed through a sore calf Week 4 versus the Seahawks before landing on injured reserve prior to Week 5. An IR stint required him to sit out at least three games, the third of which will come this Sunday at Chicago. As a result, the 49ers can open his 21-day practice window to return from the reserve list next week, and it appears the team will do just that with the anticipation Kittle will be available for the Nov. 7 game versus Arizona. In the meantime, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley will continue to cover tight end for San Francisco for one more week.

Seals-Jones was limited at Wednesday's practice with a quadriceps injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones has missed just six offensive snaps since taking over as Washington's top tight end in place of Logan Thomas, who hurt his hamstring back in Week 4. Over nearly four games, Seals-Jones has been a consistent target of Taylor Heinicke, hauling in 17 of 26 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. Seals-Jones himself played Week 7 after having some practice limitations last week due to a quad issue, so he's likely in a similar state with his health this time around. Still, he'll have a pair of sessions to clear the air before the weekend.

Smith (shoulder) was spotted at Wednesday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Smith was forced out of Sunday's win over the Jets after suffering a shoulder injury, but his presence at practice Wednesday bodes well for his chances of being available this weekend against the Chargers. The Patriots will reveal their first Week 8 injury report later Wednesday, with Smith likely to appear as a limited participant in practice.

Wesco (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Wesco landed on the injury report Wednesday with a knee issue, but the severity of the injury is unknown. The 26-year-old has played 82 offensive snaps across the Jets' first six games of the 2021 campaign, but he has failed to record any offensive stats. If he is unable to suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, Daniel Brown may see increased snaps for the first time this season.

Knox, who recently underwent hand surgery, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

The Bills are holding out hope that Knox will miss one or two games, as he hasn't been placed on injured reserve following a Week 7 bye. Tommy Sweeney looks set to serve as the Bills' top pass-catching tight end against Miami, but Buffalo is expected to sign a free agent or promote another player from the practice squad to provide depth Week 8.

Thomas (hamstring) was seen working out on a side field during Monday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

It's a sign of progress, though it doesn't necessarily mean Thomas is ready for a return to practice. Thomas has already spent the three-game minimum on injured reserve, and while he's technically eligible to return for Sunday's game against Denver, head coach Ron Rivera doesn't seem optimistic. Rivera used the term "week-to-week" to describe Thomas as recently as Monday, hinting that the tight end is unlikely to return before the Week 9 bye. The team has deployed Ricky Seals-Jones in an every-down role at tight end in Thomas' absence.

Engram isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram is inside team facilities working with the training staff to begin Wednesday's session, so he's seemingly tending to an injury. The tight end was banged up heading into the Giants' Week 7 win over the Panthers, but he played through a calf injury en route to recording six receptions for 44 yards on eight targets. With the Giants set to play the Chiefs on Monday in Week 8, New York won't release its first official injury report of the week until Thursday.