NFL Player News

Engram (foot) will not play Sunday against the Bears, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

It was reported earlier this week that Engram had a chance to play Sunday, but he did not make the required progress in his recovery over the last two weeks and now will miss a second straight game. Fellow tight end Rhett Ellison has also been ruled out for Week 12, which leaves Scott Simonson as the likely starter at the position in Sunday's contest. Simonson is more blocker than pass catcher, though, so the targets Engram usually sees could be mainly distributed among the wide receiver corps.

Alie-Cox wasn't targeted during Thursday's 20-17 loss to the Texans.

Alie-Cox suited up through a thumb injury for Thursday's divisional clash, but he was relegated to a depth role with both Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle active. The 26-year-old figures to play his usual role as a blocker against the Titans in Week 13.

Akins caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Thursday's 20-17 win over the Colts in Week 12.

Akins had more targets than starter Darren Fells for just the third time this season, and it was the ninth time in 11 games he's finished with fewer than 30 yards. Tight end value is closely linked to red-zone opportunities, and, in that respect, Fells (10) holds the advantage over Akins (five). Both players face more competition for snaps now that Jordan Thomas is healthy.

Alie-Cox (thumb) is active for Thursday night's game against the Texans.

Alie-Cox might see some extra work in this one even with Eric Ebron (ankle) active, as Ebron missed a couple days of practice this week. Jack Doyle figures to see the bulk of the work ahead of Alie-Cox, anyway.

Kittle (knee/ankle) officially was a limited practice participant Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle was seen wearing a blue non-contact jersey in the part of the session open the media, and his ensuing activity was enough to warrant a "limited" listing. The development marks the first indication that coach Kyle Shanahan's hopes for Kittle will come true this weekend (i.e. he returns to action). First, though, Kittle will have another chance to up the ante and potentially practice fully Friday, at which point the 49ers will hone in on a designation for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Hooper (knee) was held out of practice Thursday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Despite failing to take the field yet this week, Hooper has one more opportunity to do so before the Falcons perhaps make a decision on his Week 12 availability. Another absence from Hooper on Sunday against the Bucs would thrust Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker into increased roles for a second straight game.

Vannett (illness) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Vannett missed just one practice with the ailment and should be good to go Sunday. He played a season-low 16 snaps in Week 11 but still managed to catch his only target for seven yards.

Kittle (knee/ankle) took part in drills during Thursday's practice while donning a blue no-contact jersey, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers won't reveal until after the session concludes whether Kittle's activity was enough to constitute a "limited" listing on the injury report, but the fact that the tight end wasn't relegated to a side field for rehab work indicates he's taken a step forward in his recovery from the left leg injury. Ideally, Kittle would take some form of contact in Friday's session to ease some of the concerns about his health, but his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Packers have seemingly improved nonetheless. In the event the 49ers ultimately decide to withhold Kittle from a third straight game, Ross Dwelley would handle the majority of the snaps at tight end.

Hooper (knee) wasn't seen at the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

On Monday, coach Dan Quinn said Hooper wouldn't practice Wednesday, which came to pass, but there was a chance the tight end would take the field Thursday and/or Friday. The Falcons have yet to reveal if Hooper indeed logged another DNP, but it wouldn't surprise as he tends to a sprained MCL for a second consecutive week. The team will reveal his activity level when Thursday's practice report is posted.

The Browns aren't expected to reinstate Njoku (wrist) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Though Njoku was cleared for full contact Wednesday in his first practice with the team since Week 2, the Browns reportedly intend to bring him along slowly as he returns from a broken wrist. Unless Njoku shows less rust than anticipated in his practice sessions Thursday and Friday, he'll remain on IR for another week before potentially rejoining the 53-man roster ahead of the Week 13 matchup with Pittsburgh. Expect Cleveland to continue with a four-man committee at tight end versus the Dolphins after all of Demetrius Harris, Ricky Seals-Jones, Pharaoh Brown and Stephen Carlson played double-digit snaps on offense in the Week 11 win over the Steelers.