NFL Player News

Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner confirmed that Seals-Jones will enter the starting lineup Sunday against the Saints after top tight end Logan Thomas (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.

After Thomas exited in the first quarter of last week's win over Atlanta, Seals-Jones stepped in and handled a three-down role for Washington. Seals-Jones played 92 percent of the offensive snaps in the win, pulling in two of his four targets for 19 yards. Thomas' absence for at least the next three weeks will create an opening for Seals-Jones to take on heavy snap counts, and he could see more target volume headed his way against New Orleans if wideouts Curtis Samuel (groin), and Dyami Brown (knee) are unable to play. Meanwhile, rookie John Bates will rise to second on the depth chart at tight end while Thomas is out, but Bates isn't expected to push for a major role after logging just 18 combined offensive snaps through Washington's first four games.

Okwuegbunam (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Okuwegbunam suffered his hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice and was unable to take the field Thursday. His status for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh is in question, while Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck will likely see increased roles if the 23-year-old is ruled out.

Okwuegbunam was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Okwuegbunam apparently picked up the injury during the Broncos' loss to the Ravens on Sunday, when he caught one of two targets for 11 yards on 15 offensive snaps. The 2020 fourth-round pick should be able to avoid an injury designation for Week 5 if he can progress to full practice participation within the next couple days.

Daniels was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after testing positive for the virus, Howard Balzer of SI.com reports.

Daniels will now be unavailable until he clears the health and safety protocols, which will require two negative COVID-19 tests administered 24 hours apart while not exhibiting any symptoms. Demetrius Harris should see more playing time behind starting tight end Maxx Williams while Daniels is sidelined.

Mundt (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Seahawks.

Mundt came out of Sunday's loss to the Cardinals with a shoulder injury, but he was able to put in a full practice Wednesday and avoid the questionable tag. The 26-year-old primarily works as a blocker and has one catch for nine yards through the first four games of 2021.

Higbee (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game in Seattle, Stu Jackson of the Ram's official site reports.

Higbee was listed as limited on Los Angeles' first two injury reports of Week 5, only to be listed as a full practice participant on the final one released Wednesday. Granted, Wednesday's session was merely a walkthrough, but the tight end has been cleared for action Thursday. Higbee will look to produce against a Seahawks defense that has allowed 10.4 yards per reception to opposing tight ends this season.

Njoku didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku is missing his first practice of the season, though he's one of 11 Browns sitting out Wednesday's session. If Njoku ends up missing a Week 5 matchup with the Chargers, the Browns will have more work for fellow tight ends Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. The three have been working in a committee all season, limiting Njoku to 10 targets on a 62 percent snap share through four games.

Everett (illness) has a chance to play in Thursday's game against the Rams, but he'll need to test negative for COVID-19 on one more occasion before he's eligible for activation, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Everett was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last Wednesday and missed Sunday's win over the 49ers. In his absence, Will Dissly played 82 percent of the offensive snaps and Colby Parkinson took 68 percent, though neither did much damage in the passing game. The Seahawks are tentatively expecting Everett back for Thursday, though his availability wasn't made official at the conclusion of Wednesday's practice.

Hockenson was held out of Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Hockenson is appearing on the injury report for the first time since Week 1, when he was listed as a full participant after recovering from a summer shoulder injury. There were no signs of Hockenson's workload being limited in the Week 4 loss to Chicago; he saw eight targets and played 82 percent of snaps.

Kittle (calf) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle drew 11 targets and played 92 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps in the Week 4 loss to Seattle, but he apparently aggravated the calf injury that rendered him questionable heading into the game. He's now considered day-to-day, with the Niners hoping their star tight end can continue to play through the injury this weekend against the division-leading Cardinals.