NFL Player News

Vannett (knee) was activated off of injured reserve Thursday.

The tight end injured his knee in the preseason finale and is yet to make his 2021 debut. Vannett's first opportunity will come Sunday against the Titans, though he will likely operate as a depth option behind Adam Trautman and Garrett Griffin.

Kittle (calf) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After missing three games plus a bye week with a calf injury, Kittle made a successful return to action last weekend against the Cardinals. In addition to handling something just short of a normal workload (41 snaps, 73 percent), Kittle paced the 49ers in receiving yards (101), tied for the team lead in receptions (six) and tied for second in targets (eight) in the 31-17 loss. Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't suggest that Kittle experienced any setbacks in his return, so Kittle's limitations to begin Week 10 prep are likely just maintenance-related. Assuming Kittle remains unscathed as the week rolls along, he should see a slight uptick in his snap share during the 49ers' meeting with the Rams on Monday night.

The Ravens signed Tomlinson to their 53-man roster Thursday, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Tomlinson has appeared in every game for the Ravens to begin the year, and he'll now rejoin the team's 53-man roster. He's had limited work in the passing game with just one reception for seven yards across eight contests.

Knox (hand) practiced fully Thursday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

After logging a limited session Wednesday, the tight end returned to a full practice Thursday, which sets the stage for him to rejoin the Bills' lineup Sunday against the Jets. Prior to suffering a fractured hand in Week 6, the 2019 third-rounder was in the midst of a breakout season that had him firmly on the fantasy radar, having put up a 21/286/5 stat line to that point.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said Okwuegbunam (knee) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.

Okwuegbunam's upgrade from no activity at Wednesday's practice to a limited showing a day later seemingly suggests that he experienced no setbacks with the lingering knee injury coming out of last week's win over Dallas. Though he looks on track to be ready to play Sunday against the Eagles, Okwuegbunam is expected to see his playing time take a hit with top tight end Noah Fant (illness) having been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after sitting out the Broncos' Week 9 victory.

Thomas (hamstring) was spotted working off to the side during Thursday's practice, but Washington has yet to designate him for return from injured reserve, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Until Washington designates him for return, Thomas won't be eligible to formally join the Football Team for practice. Given that Thomas has been sidelined since Oct. 3 with the sore right hamstring, Washington will almost certainly want Thomas to get a full week of practice in before deeming him ready for game action. With that in mind, Thomas can likely be ruled out from coming off IR ahead of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, though a return Week 11 against Carolina could still be realistic.

Wells (hand) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

With A.J. Green activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Arizona placed Wells on injured reserve to make room. The fourth-string tight end played his only snap of the season Sunday against San Francisco before exiting the game with a hand injury.

Forristall reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Forristall was elevated from Cleveland's practice squad ahead of Week 9, but the tight end was inactive for this past Sunday's game against the Bengals. Forristall will now await his next opportunity to see the field for Cleveland as a member of the team's practice squad.

Morris reverted to the Bills' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Morris was a gameday elevation for Sunday's loss to Jacksonville, and he'll return to the practice squad after not taking the field.

Smith (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Smith was forced out of this past Sunday's win over the Panthers after playing 28 snaps and one catch on two targets for four yards. The fact that he practiced Wednesday in some capacity bodes well for his chances of suiting up this weekend against the Browns. If he does, Smith will continue to work in a timeshare with fellow tight end Hunter Henry.