NFL Player News

Akins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff game against the Bills after logging a limited practice Thursday.

Akins was just added to the Texans' injury report Thursday, so it appears as though the tight end may have suffered an in-practice setback. If he's limited, or out, this weekend, added snaps/targets would be available for Darren Fells as well as Jordan Thomas.

Smythe secured one of three targets for eight yards during Week 17's win over the Patriots.

Smythe once again served as the No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki during Miami's regular-season finale, doing most of his damage as a blocker. The second-year pro played in all 16 games during the 2019 season, during which he caught seven of 14 targets for 65 yards. He stands to reprise a similar role behind Gesicki in 2020.

Andrews (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Andrews sat out Tuesday's session, but his return to the field Thursday suggests that the tight end's ankle issue isn't something that will impact his availability for the Ravens' playoff opener, which will take place Jan. 11.

Ertz (rib/back) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

The Eagles conducted a walk-through Wednesday, so what Ertz does Thursday should be more relevant with regard to his status for Sunday's playoff game against the Seahawks. The tight end hopes to tough things out this weekend, but Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal previously relayed that at this stage of the week, Ertz is not yet medically cleared to take contact.

Vannett wasn't targeted on any of his 15 offensive snaps in Sunday's 28-10 loss to the Ravens.

With starting tight end Vance McDonald playing 44 of the Steelers' 50 offensive snaps in Week 17, there was little opportunity for Vannett to take the field. While splitting his season between Seattle and Pittsburgh, Vannett produced 17 receptions (on 22 targets) for 166 yards in 13 games. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Vannett could explore opportunities elsewhere if he's not willing to return to Pittsburgh as a No. 2 or 3 tight end.

Njoku's chances of remaining with the Browns in 2020 improved after the organization parted ways with head coach Freddie Kitchens following the Week 17 loss to the Bengals, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The tight end admitted he had "a couple differences" with Kitchens, who made Njoku a healthy inactive for Weeks 15 and 16 before the 23-year-old played just four of the Browns' 54 offensive snaps in the season finale. Njoku also missed 10 games with a wrist issue earlier in the season before being designated to return from injured reserve. When Njoku eventually returned to action Week 14 against the Bengals, he had a ball taken away from him on a play that was ruled as an interception. That displeased Kitchens, who eventually phased out the tight end. With Kitchens now out of the picture, the Browns are expected to give the 2017 first-round draft pick a fresh look under a new regime.

Ertz (rib) hasn't been cleared for contact, but he may participate in Wednesday's walk-through practice, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

The Eagles hope to have Ertz available for Sunday's playoff game against Seattle, though he'll likely be fighting through pain if he's able to suit up. The tight end is recovering from a cracked rib and a kidney laceration, having already missed a crucial game Week 17 against the Giants. Another absence would translate to expanded roles for fellow tight ends Dallas Goedert and Joshua Perkins.

Wolf signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Wolf spent the preseason in Jacksonville but was unable to crack the season-opening roster. The 24-year-old is still looking to make his NFL debut after going undrafted out of Tennessee in 2018.

Hurst caught both of his targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 28-10 win over the Steelers.

Hurst led the Ravens in receiving Sunday in a game in which many of the team's primary starters were rested. He provided his biggest contribution midway through the second quarter, coming back to the ball on a 20-yard pass from Robert Griffin to set up a field goal. The Ravens will have a bye this week before taking on the Texans, Bills or Titans in the divisional round. Hurst caught all five of his targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in two games against the Bills and Texans this season.

Smith caught one of two targets for 11 yards during Sunday's 21-19 loss to Chicago.

Sunday's performance snapped a three-game streak in which Smith caught multiple passes. Having Sean Mannion under center while Kirk Cousins rested Sunday makes the performance hard to weigh, but the rookie tight end has been on a bit of a downswing with 20 or fewer yards in five of his last six games, though he has scored twice in that span. The Vikings travel to New Orleans for a wild-card matchup Sunday.