NFL Player News

Andrews (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

There's a pretty good chance that he'll be listed as a limited participant and then questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Keep in mind that the Ravens have already clinched the AFC's top playoff seed, so it wouldn't be surprising if Andrews was rested or limited this weekend, even if his ankle is sound enough for him to suit up.

Ertz (ribs/back) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Coach Doug Pederson said earlier Friday that Ertz would take part in the session, but the tight end apparently wasn't feeling good enough to take the field. An official update on Ertz's status for Sunday's game against the Giants when the Eagles release their final injury report of the week later Friday.

Ertz (ribs/back) is expected to practice Friday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The extent of Ertz's participation won't be known until after the session concludes, but any activity would be an upgrade over the previous two days. Ertz is not out of the woods just yet, and it's possible a final decision on his availability for Sunday's matchup with the Giants won't be made until game day.

Ertz was held out of practice Thursday due to rib and back injuries, Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After missing some time in the first half of the Eagles' Week 16 win against the Cowboys, Ertz returned to action but made little impact as a receiver the rest of the way, finishing with four catches (on six targets) for 28 yards. On Monday, it was revealed that the tight end suffered a broken rib, which was the sole reason for his absence from practice Wednesday. One day later, the back issue was tacked on the injury report, further clouding Ertz's status. Pederson noted Thursday that Ertz will require clearance to play in the regular-season finale versus the Giants. A win in that contest sews up the NFC East for the Eagles, and an active Ertz will be welcome news for a banged-up receiving corps. Friday's injury report will reveal his odds to suit up this weekend, but fellow TE Dallas Goedert figures to be the biggest beneficiary, whether or not Ertz plays.

Smythe (quadriceps) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Smythe was limited in practice to begin the week, but he now looks back to full health. He'll play his usual role behind starter Mike Gesicki in Miami's tight end corps Week 17.

Thomas (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Thomas was limited in practice to begin the week, but he now appears to have put his ankle issue behind him. With Greg Olsen (knee) also expected to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints, Thomas is on track to split reps at the tight end position once again Week 17.

Andrews (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

We'll revisit the tight end's status no later than Friday, but with the Ravens having already clinched the AFC's top playoff seed, it's not hard to imagine the team playing it safe with Andrews on Sunday against the Steelers if his ankle remains problematic heading into the weekend.

Seals-Jones (illness) wasn't present on the field for Thursday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns listed Seals-Jones as a non-participant on their initial practice report released Wednesday, and the tight end looks poised to maintain that listing for a second straight day. If Seals-Jones is able to return to practice Friday and put in a full workout, he'll stand a good chance at avoiding a designation heading into Sunday's season finale versus the Bengals.

Ertz (ribs) won't practice Thursday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

On the plus side, coach Doug Pederson noted that Ertz "is progressing and getting better," which sets the stage for Friday to be a pivotal day with regard to the tight end's chances of playing Sunday against the Giants. Per Tim McManus of ESPN.com, Pederson previously suggested that it's more realistic that Ertz sits out Week 17 and returns from his fractured rib to play in a potential wild-card round game the following week, but the Eagles will see what's he able to do Friday before deciding on his status for the regular-season finale.

The Ravens listed Andrews as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report with an ankle injury.

Andrews' Week 17 status is worth tracking, especially with the Ravens having already clinched the AFC's top seed for the playoffs. Even if Andrews' ankle issue isn't a major concern, it could be bothersome enough to prompt the team's coaching staff to rest or limit him Sunday against the Steelers.