NFL Player News

Smith (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Green Bay, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Smith logged a midweek absence from practice Thursday, but he otherwise practiced in full, clearing him for Week 16 action. On the season, he's consistently earned at least 70 percent of the snaps on offense, doing so in 11 of 13 appearances. That said, Smith's production has been sporadic en route to 37 catches, 410 yards and seven touchdowns on 56 targets.

Smith (knee) is slated to return to practice Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

We'll circle back to see how the Titans officially list the tight end for Sunday night's game against the Packers, but Smith's return to the field Friday bodes well for his chances of being cleared to play this weekend.

Brown (ankle) was a full participant during the Texans' practice session Thursday.

Brown popped up on the injury report with an ankle issue Wednesday, but he's quickly back to taking full repetitions as Houston prepares to host Cincinnati in Week 16. A concussion kept the Oregon product inactive Dec. 13 for a matchup against the Bears, but it doesn't appear the recent ankle injury will cost Brown any time.

Daniels (hamstring) is considered questionable entering Saturday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The 26-year-old tight end was unable to practice at all Tuesday or Wednesday, but a limited session to close out the week has his status trending in a positive direction for Saturday's divisional tilt. Daniels has suited up 10 times for the Cardinals this season, but his passing-game contributions have amounted to only seven receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Sternberger (concussion/illness) was a non-participant during Thursday's practice session, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sternberger's concussion has lingered, and an inability to gain practice clearance is beginning to threaten his Week 16 availability. The Texas A&M product initially sustained his head injury Dec. 6 during a win over the Eagles. If he's unable to rally for a Sunday night matchup against Tennessee, it would mean a third consecutive absence from Sternberger and likely increased opportunities for breakout tight end Robert Tonyan.

Lewis (knee) was limited during the Packers' practice session Thursday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The veteran tight end has been coping with a knee issue since early October, but he's still proven capable of getting on the field for 13 of Green Bay's 14 games this season. Barring a setback to his status Friday, Lewis is trending toward a Week 16 activation. He'll be afforded slightly more time to get his body right, with the Packers not kicking off against the Titans until Sunday Night Football.

Arnold is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the 49ers with a back injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Arnold didn't appear on the Cardinals' first two injury reports of Week 16 before being listed as a limited participant at Thursday's session due to the back issue. With Arnold's status for Saturday's game now muddled, the Cardinals are lacking in healthy bodies at tight end. The other two options at the position currently on the 53-man roster -- Darrell Daniels and Maxx Williams -- are also listed as questionable with hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that Kittle (foot) is expected to play in Saturday's game at Arizona, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan noted Kittle fared well enough in practice to warrant the 49ers activating the tight end from injured reserve, a move that is slated to happen prior to Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. In his first game action since Week 8, though, Kittle will be on a snap count nearly eight weeks removed from suffering a broken cuboid bone in his foot, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Considering the recent play of Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley, Kittle may not warrant a ton of looks from C.J. Beathard, but his rapport with the QB going back to college at Iowa could be enough to make his return a productive one.

Gesicki (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Raiders after being listed as a limited practice participant this week.

Gesicki logged back-to-back limited sessions Thursday and Friday last week before being made inactive this past Sunday against the Patriots. If he's limited or out Saturday night, Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen once again would be in line for added tight end work Week 16.

Smith (knee) didn't practice Thursday, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

The tight end wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so his Thursday addition is notable. What Smith is able to do at practice Friday should clarify if he's in any danger of missing Sunday night's game against the Packers. If he is limited or out for the contest, added targets would be available for Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim, along with MyCole Pruitt to a lesser degree.