Otton (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Otton has yet to take part in drills this week while donning a knee brace on the side at practice, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. In the event that Otton isn't able to play Sunday in Dallas, offensive coordinator Liam Coen expressed confidence that Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and even rookie seventh-rounder Devin Culp will be able to fill in capably for Otton, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Ultimately, the Buccaneers may make a ruling on Otton's upcoming availability as soon as they post their final Week 16 injury report Friday.

Hurst (hip) has been activated from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos.

Hurst, who last saw game action Week 10, still carries a questionable designation for the contest, but he's on track to bolster a Chargers' tight end corps that will be without Will Dissly, who's still sidelined with a shoulder injury. Hurst thus should have an opportunity to get right back into the mix Thursday while working alongside fellow TE Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 in Dissly's absence.

Ertz (concussion) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After suffering a concussion this past Sunday at New Orleans, Ertz sat out Wednesday's session, but he was spotted in a black non-contact jersey Thursday, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site, before the team tagged the tight end as limited. Ertz thus is making his way through the protocol for head injuries, but he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday against the Eagles.

Musgrave (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Musgrave has been listed as limited on Packers' injury reports since the team designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday. He's in the later stages of his recovery from ankle surgery that was performed in early October, and he may need to get back to full participation by Saturday in order to have a chance to be activated ahead of Monday's game against the Saints.

Njoku (hamstring) didn't participate in the open portion of Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku missed Wednesday's practice, so what the tight end is able to do, if anything, during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his chances of returning to action Sunday against the Bengals. If Njoku remains sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would be in line to continue to have an expanded role in the Browns passing game.

Alie-Cox (hip) is not practicing Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Alie-Cox will miss a second consecutive practice due to the hip injury he managed to play through during the Colts' loss to the Broncos in Week 15. The veteran tight end hasn't yet missed a game this season, but across 14 appearances he's racked up just 11 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets. Friday will represent the last chance for Alie-Cox to resume practicing ahead of Sunday's divisional matchup against the Titans.

The Chargers plan to activate Hurst (hip) from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hurst last saw game action in Week 10, but his looming return to the mix arrives at an opportune time, with fellow tight end Will Dissly still sidelined with a shoulder injury. With that in mind, Hurst should have an opportunity to contribute as pass catcher Thursday while working alongside Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 with Dissly inactive.

Strange was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury.

According to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, head coach Doug Pederson said that Strange sustained an AC joint sprain in last week's 32-25 loss to the Jets. Fortunately, Pederson said that Strange will be fine to play in Sunday's game at Las Vegas, but the tight end may need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. After Evan Engram (shoulder) placed on injured reserve last week, Strange stepped in as the Jaguars' top tight end in the loss to New York and turned some heads by recording 11 catches for 73 yards on 12 targets. Strange could struggle to reach that lofty target count again in Week 16, but he should nonetheless represent one of the top options in the passing game for quarterback Mac Jones.

Fant practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday due to a knee injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Fant has exactly three catches in four straight contests, compiling a 12-81-0 line on 19 targets during that stretch. He's now enduring some practice restrictions to kick off Week 16 prep, but there's been no indication he's in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Vikings.

Otton didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Since earning 10-plus targets in three consecutive games from Weeks 7 through 9, Otton has mustered a 15-179-0 line on 25 targets over the last five games. The downturn in production was likely a byproduct of Mike Evans' return to the lineup Week 12, but Otton also has just three red-zone targets over the last four games and hasn't scored a touchdown during that time. Otton's health is now worth tracking as the Buccaneers prepare for Sunday's contest at Dallas.