NFL Player News

Gesicki (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Gesicki is expected to miss time due to the shoulder injury he picked up in the fourth quarter of last weekend's loss to the Chiefs, so it doesn't come as any sort of surprise to see him sitting out practice to begin Week 15. The results of Gesicki's recent MRI could be known within the next few days, but all signs currently point to him sitting out Sunday's game against the Patriots. If that's the case, Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe would likely split work at tight end.

The 49ers designated Kittle (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

The transaction makes Kittle eligible to practice, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back for Sunday's must-win game in Dallas. In fact, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area relays that Kittle isn't expected to play this week, though it's possible the tight end's outlook changes if he gets out on the practice field and looks healthy. There's also a decent chance Kittle doesn't play again this season, especially if the Niners lose to Dallas and officially fall out of the wild-card hunt.

Daniels (ankle) was designated to return from IR on Wednesday.

Daniels will be eligible to return to practice as a result of this move, which also opens a three-week window for the Cardinals to put the tight end back on the roster. He wasn't a critical part of the offense prior to sustaining his ankle injury, catching just six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in nine games.

Hooper (neck) will participate in practice Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper sat out Cleveland's last two practices before being made inactive ahead of Monday's loss to the Ravens. The tight end's return to practice Wednesday in either limited or full capacity has him trending in the right direction in advance of this weekend's contest against the Giants.

Coach Vic Fangio said that Fant (illness) is "fine" ahead of Wednesday's practice, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Fant would ideally practice in full capacity Wednesday to put to rest any concerns about his health, but regardless, the tight end looks like he'll be ready to go once Saturday's game against the Bills arrives. He played just five snaps in last week's win over the Panthers before exiting due to what he believes was a case of the stomach flu.

Parkinson caught both targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 40-3 win over the Jets.

Parkinson caught both passes from Geno Smith, who relieved Russell Wilson near the end of the third quarter due to the blowout nature of the game. The rookie tight end also logged a season-high 19 snaps on offense. He nevertheless remains the odd man out behind Will Dissly and Jacob Hollister, and he could wind up in healthy scratch territory if Greg Olsen (foot) returns this year as planned.

Sternberger (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate.

Sternberger is trending in the wrong direction to begin the week. He has two more practice sessions to take the field and have a chance to play in Saturday's matchup against the Panthers. Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis will handle nearly all the tight end reps if Sternberger misses a second straight game, and Dominique Dafney should rotate in as well.

Lewis (knee) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice estimate.

The 36-year-old typically is limited or absent altogether during practices early in the week. He should be fine for Saturday's game against the Panthers, operating in a blocking role with occasional pass-catching upside.

Henry (hip) was limited on Tuesday's estimated injury report.

All of the Chargers' key non-QB skill-position players are tending to injuries, but all of Keenan Allen (hamstring), Austin Ekeler (quadricep), Mike Williams (back) and Henry would have practiced in some capacity Tuesday after DNPs one day prior. The pattern indicates coach Anthony Lynn is taking a similar approach with each of the quartet, but Wednesday's report will reveal if any of them are in danger of being limited or sitting out Thursday in Las Vegas.

Fant (illness) is listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Fant made an early exit from Sunday's game at Carolina after coming down with an illness. He remained in Charlotte until Monday, when he tested negative for COVID-19 and was cleared to return to Denver. Still, Fant wouldn't have taken the field Tuesday if the Broncos had held a session. He'll aim to do so at some point before Saturday's contest against the Bills, but if Fant eventually isn't able to suit up, Denver will turn to Nick Vannett and Troy Fumagalli at tight end.