NFL Player News

Seals-Jones (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns didn't actually practice, but if they had, Seals-Jones was the only member of the roster that would have sat out. However, a return to the field Thursday or Friday could be all Seals-Jones needs to get the green light to play Sunday against Cincinnati.

Smythe (quadriceps) was credited with a limited practice Wednesday, Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Smythe must have picked up the injury in Sunday's win over the Bengals, yet it wouldn't have sidelined him completely if the Dolphins had actually held practice Wednesday. The 24-year-old's status bears monitoring over the course of the week.

Thomas was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to an ankle injury, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Just like Thomas, Greg Olsen (knee) also drew a "limited" tag, but both of Carolina's top tight ends are expected to be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Saints. After starting in place of a concussed Olsen in Weeks 14 and 15, Thomas predictably saw his role decline in last weekend's loss to the Colts while Olsen returned to action. Thomas played only 46 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps in the blowout, finishing with three catches for 16 yards on three targets.

Hudson (concussion) was projected to be a full participant in the team's projected practice report Wednesday.

Hudson was held out of the team's Week 16 matchup against the Texans with a concussion. It's progress that Hudson was projected to practice fully Wednesday, though he will still need to clear the league's concussion protocol before he can participate in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Falcons.

The Eagles listed Ertz (ribs) as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Ertz's listing doesn't come as a major surprise after he reportedly played through a fractured rib in the Eagles' Week 16 win over the Cowboys. As a victory over Washington on Sunday would secure a postseason spot for Philadelphia, Ertz is pushing hard to play in Week 17, though it's unclear if he'll get the green light from doctors and athletic trainers, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. No. 2 tight end Dallas Goedert would take on even heavier volume in the passing game if Ertz is ultimately forced to sit out this weekend.

Daniels did not participate in the team's estimated practice report Wednesday due to a biceps injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Daniels saw an uptick in usage during the team's Week 16 win over Seattle due to the absence of Charles Clay (calf). However, he's now battling an injury of his own, making it unclear whether he'll be able to participate in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Rams. His availability in practice for the remainder of the week should provide more clarity.

Firkser was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 38-28 loss to the Saints.

Sunday's performance snapped a three-game streak in which the sophomore tight end caught at least one pass, and he finished behind both Jonnu Smith and MyCole Pruitt in offensive snaps with 13 -- his fewest since Week 6. All hands will be on deck Sunday against the Texans as the Titans need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Firkser was only able to catch one of his four targets against the Texans in Week 15 for a gain of seven yards.

Alie-Cox reeled in his only target for a 21-yard catch during Sunday's 38-6 win over Carolina.

Alie-Cox's grab helped set up Marlon Mack's second-quarter touchdown plunge, but it was just his second catch since Week 9. The sophomore tight end has just one game with multiple receptions this season, way back in Week 3 against Atlanta. He hasn't seen an uptick in production since Eric Ebron (ankle) headed to injured reserve and it'd be a surprise if he broke out against Jacksonville's 20th-ranked pass defense in the season finale Sunday.

Kroft was unable to haul in his lone target of Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Patriots.

Sunday's production could have been quite different as Josh Allen targeted him near the Patriots' goal line just before halftime. The two couldn't link up and Allen looked to Dion Dawkins on a trick play on the next snap. Kroft has been targeted multiple times in just one game this season and three of his 10 have been in the red zone. He hasn't produced much, but he may get a slight uptick in usage Sunday against the Jets, as the Bills are locked in as the AFC's fifth seed win, lose or draw.

Smith caught two of three targets for four yards during Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay.

Smith has now been held to single-digit receiving yardage in three of his last four games. The rookie tight end has garnered more snaps than your typical No. 2 TE, with at least 30 offensive snaps in every game since Week 5, and has been targeted at least three times in nine consecutive games. That hasn't translated much into production, however, as Smith has mostly served as an underneath option this season. The regular season ends Sunday against a Bears squad that surrendered a single five-yard catch to Smith in Week 4.