NFL Player News

Kroft was a full participant in practice Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The wrist injury limited Kroft's participation during the Bengals' first practice of the week Thursday, but the tight end's full session a day later suggests he's in no danger of missing Monday's matchup with the Steelers. Like Tyler Eifert (back) before him, Kroft has emerged as a favorite red-zone target of quarterback Andy Dalton this season, reeling in five touchdown receptions over the Bengals' last eight contests.

Daniels (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Jacksonville, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Daniels is primarily used as a run blocker, keeping him off fantasy radars. The Colts have three other healthy backups for Jack Doyle, so their offensive dynamic won't suffer much without Daniels.

Derby (shoulder) participated in the Dolphins' practice Thursday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports. He wasn't listed on the team's practice report with an injury designation, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald.

Though the Broncos had placed Derby on season-ending injured reserve last week before waiving him, the shoulder issue apparently wasn't that serious. After Miami put in a claim for the tight end, Derby seems like he could be an option to suit up Sunday against his former team if he can get caught up with the Dolphins' playbook in short fashion. Derby showed some aptitude as a pass catcher during his nine games with Denver this season, logging 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns.

Kroft (wrist) was limited at Thursday's practice, the Dayton Daily News reports.

Per the report, Kroft's wrist injury dates back to Week 11's game against the Broncos, but it's an issue the tight end played through in this past Sunday's win over the Browns. While Kroft has hauled in just six passes for 30 yards over his last three outings, he has, at least, scored in the Bengals' last two games. He profiles a TD-dependent fantasy dart in Week 13, while up against the Steelers' rugged pass defense Monday night.

The Texans signed Malleck to their practice squad Wednesday.

Malleck has yet to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of Virginia Tech in 2015. It's unlikely that he'll see any action with the Texans over the final five games of the season unless one of C.J. Fiedorowicz or Stephen Anderson, the lone tight ends on the 53-man roster, succumbs to an injury.

Lewis had one catch for 10 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Cardinals.

Lewis blew up in the Jaguars' Week 3 win over the Ravens with four catches for 62 yards and three touchdowns, but he's been mostly an afterthought in his subsequent outings, notching no more than two catches in seven of his last eight games. The 33-year-old has been targeted only four times in the last two weeks combined.

Graham (ankle) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

At this point, Graham's presence on the Seahawks' injury report is obligatory as the veteran manages a balky ankle. His health hasn't stopped him from reaching the end zone, as he's made eight visits over the last seven games. Even if he enters the weekend with an injury designation, Graham should be good to go Sunday against an Eagles defense that hasn't surrendered a touchdown to tight ends since Week 7.

Higbee missed Wednesday's practice due to an illness, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The illness could be a temporary concern, but Higbee's activity level this week will reveal its severity. On the season, he's been a sporadic contributor, surpassing 25 receiving yards three times in 11 games, despite earning nearly 75 percent of the offensive snaps.

Kittle was limited at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kittle returned from a one-game absence due to a leg issue in Sunday's 24-13 loss to Seattle, but only played 35 percent of the team's offensive snaps and caught one pass for 14 yards on two targets. It appears the rookie is stuck in a part-time role, as fellow tight end Garrett Celek caught both of his targets for seven yards while logging 68 percent of the snaps. The 49ers might consider upping Kittle's snap count if he gets back to full strength and is no longer hampered by the leg/ankle injury that's bothered him since early November.

The Dolphins were awarded Derby (shoulder) off waivers Wednesday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Derby was waived from the Broncos' injured reserve Tuesday and probably won't play again this season. He caught 19 of 32 targets for 224 yards and two scores in nine games with Denver, serving as the team's top pass-catching tight end for most of the season. Derby presumably will have to fight for a spot on the Miami roster in 2018 even if he enters training camp at full strength.