Fant secured all four targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 33-31 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

With Mike Gesicki (pectoral) hitting injured reserve earlier in the week, Fant stepped into the top tight-end role Thursday night and made good use of the opportunity. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were the focal points of the air attack, but Fant was an effective complementary option while posting a new season high in receiving yards and scoring his second touchdown of the campaign via a five-yard catch on the first play of the fourth quarter. Fant should remain the top pass-catching option at his position while Gesicki is sidelined, and his next opportunity to fill that role comes in a Week 8 home matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Freiermuth brought in five of six targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers' 33-31 loss to the Bengals on Thursday night.

Freiermuth's performance would have naturally been all the sweeter in a victory from the Steelers' perspective, but fantasy managers certainly had to be thrilled with a night that featured the second-highest yardage tally of the veteran tight end's career. Freiermuth struck from 19 and 68 yards away in the second half, the latter score coming with just 2:21 remaining and erasing a 30-24 deficit. While Joe Flacco was subsequently able to drive Cincinnati into position for a game-winning field goal, Freiermuth's breakout effort was an especially welcome sight after he'd mustered a 2-17-0 line on four targets over the previous three games. The fifth-year pro will aim to carry over the momentum into a Week 8 Sunday night home battle against the Packers on Oct. 26.

Parkinson (concussion) was a full participant in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

The tight end missed last Sunday's win over the Ravens after suffering the head injury in Week 5 against the 49ers. Parkinson appears on track to play this Sunday versus the Jaguars. He has four catches for 11 yards in four games this season.

Kittle (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Since the 49ers designated him for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kittle has maintained his listed activity level on the 49ers' first two Week 7 injury reports. Per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com, Kittle said that he suffered a full tear of his hamstring Week 1 at Seattle, which spurred extra caution in his recovery effort. However, Kittle added that he's back to full health and intends to suit up this weekend. San Francisco will need to activate him from IR by Saturday afternoon in order to have him available Sunday versus the Falcons.

Bowers (knee) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Bowers also missed Wednesday's session, and another DNP a day later has the tight end trending toward missing a third straight game Sunday against the Chiefs. If Bowers remains sidelined this weekend, fellow TE Michael Mayer, who had five catches (on seven targets) for 50 yards and a TD in a Week 6 win over the Titans, once again would be in store for added opportunities in the Raiders offense.

Whiteheart (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Whiteheart was limited in practice Wednesday, but he now appears to have returned to full health. After playing a season-high 22 snaps on offense during Cleveland's loss to the Steelers in Week 6, Whiteheart may now get a chance to handle No. 2 tight end reps behind rookie Harold Fannin if David Njoku (knee) is unable to suit up at home against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Waller (hip/rest) was limited in practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Waller has consistently had his practice reps capped this season as part of a load management plan, so there's not yet any reason to worry that his availability for Sunday's game against the Browns is truly in jeopardy. It's possible that Waller could carry an injury designation for Week 7, but barring any actual setbacks the veteran tight end figures to take the field on the road versus Cleveland.

Sanders (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

Sanders has been ramping up his participation in practice, and Thursday's full session puts him on track to return from a three-game absence Sunday against the Jets. Sanders could jump right back into a prominent role in a favorable matchup against a Jets defense that has allowed a league-high six touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Njoku (knee) is not participating in the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Njoku appears to be missing a second consecutive practice due to the knee injury he suffered during Cleveland's loss to the Steelers in Week 6, which bodes poorly for his odds of being able to suit up at home against the Dolphins on Sunday even though the issue isn't considered long-term. Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that Njoku is one of Cleveland's top candidates to be moved ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, which could motivate the team to be extra cautious with the tight end's health. If Njoku indeed can't go Week 7, rookie third-round pick Harold Fannin will benefit from increased target opportunities at the tight end position.

Odukoya is signing with the Patriots' practice squad Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Odukoya previously spent time under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. Most of Odukoya's time with the Titans came on their practice squad, though he appeared in two regular-season games in 2024.