NFL Player News

Graham (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Graham has had an inauspicious start to the season, with his nine targets yielding an incomprehensible 1.0 YPT. To make matters worse, an ankle sprain is keeping him in the trainer's room and off the practice field this week. One session remains to make his presence felt, but he may ultimately enter the weekend iffy for Week 3 action. If the Seahawks opt for a cautious approach, Graham may yield TE duty entirely Sunday in Tennessee, where Luke Willson and Nick Vannett would face a Titans defense that has conceded just five receptions to tight ends after two games.

Kittle (hip) is active for Thursday's game against the Rams.

As expected, Kittle will again play through an ailment in his third NFL contest. In the first two, he gobbled up 92 percent of the offensive snaps, so he'll look to exploit a Rams defense that has given up nine catches (on 11 targets) to tight ends in 2017.

Everett (thigh) is active for Thursday's game at San Francisco, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Everett managed two limited practices during a short week but will still suit up as the Rams' backup tight end. Through two games, Everett has lagged behind Tyler Higbee in terms of offensive snaps (94 to 45), but the rookie has utterly dominated in the box score. While Higbee has gathered in just two of four passes for 17 yards, Everett has caught all four targets for a team-high 134 yards.

James (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

James is trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Bears approaches, but we'll have to see if he draws an official questionable designation for the contest come Friday, or is simply removed from the Steelers' Week 3 injury report.

Gathers is still in the concussion protocol, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gathers was placed on injured reserve to start the season after suffering a concussion in mid-August. The concussion is apparently a fairly serious one, as the former Baylor basketball star is yet to step back onto the practice field since suffering from the head injury. With an injury this serious, the Cowboys will likely remain very cautious with the young tight end, who displayed plenty of promise prior to getting hurt.

Engram (concussion) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

As a precautionary measure, Engram was placed in the concussion protocol, where he remains embedded. He sustained his activity level for a second straight practice Thursday, but he also continued to don a non-contact jersey. Due to the murky nature of head injuries, he's a tossup to suit up Sunday in Philadelphia, which could force Rhett Ellison and Shane Smith into more prominent roles in the offense.

Kittle (hip) is expected to be available for Thursday's game versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kittle has been afflicted by injuries in his brief time in the NFL, with a hip issue containing the rookie to a DNP/limited/limited practice regimen during Week 3 prep. Assuming he's active, he may not match his offensive snap count (92 percent) from the 49ers' first two games. No matter, he'll have an opportunity to produce against a Rams defense that has allowed tight ends to gather in nine of 11 targets this season.

Tomlinson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Tomlinson hasn't practiced since sustaining the injury in the season opener against the Bills. Jordan Leggett (knee) also failed practice Wednesday, and if both remain out in Week 3 against the Dolphins, Will Tye and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is back from suspension, will likely share the snaps at tight end.

Everett (thigh) was limited at Wednesday's practice and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game in San Francisco.

Everett has thus far made the most of his role as the Rams' No. 2 tight end, parlaying four targets into four catches for a team-high 134 receiving yards. That production wouldn't be sustainable in his current role even if he were completely healthy, but he's at least making a case to eventually push Tyler Higbee for the top spot on the depth chart. Everett's inability to log a full practice during the week suggests he could be a game-day decision Thursday.

Kittle (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Rams, Cam Inman of CSN Bay Area reports.

After being held out of Monday's practice, Kittle managed limited participation in sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, likely setting him up to play Week 3. He played through the same injury the past two weeks, catching seven of eight targets for 40 yards while playing 92 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps.