NFL Player News

Lewis (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

The 36-year-old tight end went through his typical practice regimen, handling limited reps before being cleared going into the weekend. Though 10 games this season, Lewis has posted seven receptions for 56 yards and three touchdowns.

Hurst (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Hurst's availability for the Week 13 contest looked to be in jeopardy after he failed to practice Thursday, but the Falcons cleared him to play after he returned to work Friday in a limited fashion. After being held without a reception for the only time this season in the Falcons' Week 11 loss to the Saints, Hurst has nowhere to go but up in the rematch.

Ertz (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

The Eagles opened Ertz's practice window on Nov. 16, but they used more than two weeks to bring him back to the active roster. After logging limited sessions both Wednesday and Thursday, he practiced in full Friday, officially clearing him to return to action. On Sunday, Ertz will be taking on a Packers defense that has allowed 8.1 yards per target (sixth most in the NFL) to tight ends this season.

Coach Mike Vrabel ruled out Smith (knee) for Sunday's game versus the Browns, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Smith missed every practice this week as he tends to a knee injury and now will sit out for the first time this season. His significant snap share thus is slated to filter down to Geoff Swaim, Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt.

The Vikings ruled Smith (back) out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Smith will be inactive for a third time this season and for the second week in a row after his back injury prevented him from practicing in any capacity Wednesday through Friday. With Smith out of the picture, Kyle Rudolph should be freed to run more routes at tight end after typically serving as more of a blocking specialist when both players dress. While Smith was sidelined Weeks 10 and 12, Rudolph recorded 11 receptions for 131 yards on 13 targets.

Gilliam (hamstring) returned to full practice participation Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

The fullback's full practice participation suggests he'll be able to suit up Monday against the 49ers. Gilliam has caught only two passes all season, though one went for a touchdown.

Smith (knee) didn't practice Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After failing to record a reception in last week's win over the Colts, Smith has now sat out each of the Titans' three Week 13 practices. The Titans will provide a designation for Smith later Friday, but the tight end is most likely going to sit out Sunday against the Browns for what would be his first absence of the season. If that's the case, Anthony Firkser would likely see the bulk of the snaps and targets at tight end.

Coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism Ertz (ankle) will be able to play Sunday against the Packers, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 30-year-old was activated off injured reserve this week and was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, so he appears on track to return to the field this weekend. According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Pederson also said the team has "to be smart" about Ertz's usage if he's cleared, given it would be his first game action since Week 6. Dallas Goedert should continue operating as the team's No. 1 tight end for now.

Tomlinson reverted to the Ravens' practice squad Thursday, per the NFL's official transactions report.

Tomlinson was called up to the active roster for Wednesday's loss to the Steelers alongside Luke Willson and Sean Culkin. He played just 16 snaps on offense and didn't draw a target.

Bowers was placed on the Raiders' practice squad COVID-19 list Thursday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Penn State has yet to see any in-game action, though the Raiders have, at least, remained steadfast in keeping Bowers on the roster since signing him in April. This latest development gets him no closer to an appearance, as he'll now have to be away from the team until able to clear league protocols.