NFL Player News

Kroft (hamstring) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

After missing Wednesday's practice, Kroft is trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Vikings approaches. Added clarity regarding his playing status will arrive Friday, though at this stage it remains to be seen if the tight end draws a questionable designation, or is removed altogether from the Bengals' final Week 15 injury report.

Bell (shoulder) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Just like Bell, fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) was also sidelined for the second day of practice in a row. Though Rudolph, the team's starting tight end, is the far superior fantasy option, Bell's status is of more import heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals with Rudolph looking iffy for the contest. If Bell and Rudolph are both sidelined, the Vikings could be forced to turn to David Morgan -- who has yet to receive official clearance from the NFL's concussion protocol -- to handle nearly all the snaps at tight end Sunday.

Daniels (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

It marks the fourth straight game Daniels has missed due to the hamstring injury. He's been limited in practice each of the past two weeks, but with the Colts' next game not until Dec. 23 against the Ravens, Daniels could be closer to full health by that point.

Graham (ankle) was limited at Wednesday's walk-through, Michael-Shawn Dugar of SeattlePI.com reports.

Graham typically doesn't practice to kick off any given week, but only the more seriously injured Seahawks were non-participants Wednesday. There's a chance Graham will be held out of a true practice if one is held Thursday or Friday. Look for Graham -- who was held without a reception in the Week 14 loss to the Jaguars -- to bounce back Sunday against a Rams defense that allowed him to compile six catches (on eight targets) for 37 yards and one touchdown back in Week 5.

Henry (calf) returned to a full practice Wednesday.

Henry is thus on track to suit up Saturday against the Chiefs. He's established himself as a more reliable high-end option at tight end over his last three outings, hauling in 16 passes (on 20 targets) for 207 yards and two scores.

Kroft didn't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.

Though Kroft was on the field for 45 of 54 offensive snaps in the Bengals' Week 14 loss to the Bears, he didn't catch a pass in the contest. That's two straight quiet outings for the tight end, who looks like a touchdown-dependent dart Sunday against the Vikings, that is if he's able bounce back quickly from this hamstring issue.

Njoku was limited at practice Wednesday with foot and wrist injuries, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

After recording a career-high 74 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 13 against the Chargers, Njoku had a disappointing follow-up effort in Sunday's overtime loss to the Packers, hauling in just one reception for three yards. It appears he may have gotten nicked up in the contest as well, though neither injury is believed to be anything overly significant. Njoku is officially listed as third on the Browns' depth chart at tight end, but he and Seth DeValve are the clear top pass-catching options at the position, despite the blocking-minded Randall Telfer being listed ahead of them in the pecking order.

Ertz (concussion) practiced in full Wednesday.

Injuries have plagued Ertz during the second half of the season, forcing two absences and only one outing with more than 25 yards in five chances to suit up. Earlier Wednesday, he received clearance from the concussion protocol, so he'll turn his focus to preparing for Sunday's road matchup with the Giants, who he torched for eight catches, 55 yards and one touchdown back in Week 3.

Ertz was cleared from the league's concussion protocol Wednesday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ertz was close to taking the field ahead of Sunday's eventual win over the Rams before ultimately being ruled inactive, but his clearance from the concussion protocol puts him on track to return to action Week 15 against the Giants. Though the Eagles churned out three touchdowns from their tight ends last week (two from Trey Burton, one from Brent Celek), Ertz, who will participate in Wednesday's practice, will likely take back the bulk of the snaps at the position upon his return to game action.

Graham was held without a catch on two targets in the Seahawks' loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.

It was the first time since 2014 Graham went without a reception and just the fourth time in his career he was shut out when targeted. The Seattle offense took more than a half to get going in Week 14, but it's still surprising Russell Wilson couldn't get Graham more involved. To make matters worse, Graham had a bad drop in the fourth quarter to hurt the team's comeback effort.