NFL Player News

Otton (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

This marks Otton's first on-field work since a limited session on Friday, Dec. 20, so there's a chance he's fighting to make an appearance in the Buccaneers' regular-season final Sunday against the Saints. At the very least, he may have to maintain his activity level Friday in order to be listed as anything more than questionable for that contest. Fellow TE Payne Durham (quadriceps) also was limited Thursday, while rookie Devin Culp (ribs) upgraded from limited to full, so the latter appears as if he could be the biggest beneficiary if either or both of Otton and/or Durham are inhibited or out this weekend.

Henry (foot) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Henry also was limited Wednesday, so the tight end probably will need to work fully Friday in order to approach Sunday's game against the Bills without an injury designation. As for the 3-13 Patriots' approach heading into Week 18, head coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday that he's planning on having all the team's healthy starters take the field this weekend, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Akins is expected to serve as the Browns' starting tight end Saturday in Baltimore with David Njoku (knee) ruled out for the season finale, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

While Njoku was sidelined for last Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins, Akins saw an expanded profile on offense. He played 44 of the Browns' 79 snaps on offense in the loss, finishing with six catches for 49 yards on eight targets. Given that quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) dropped back a whopping 48 times in Week 17, Akins' eight targets could be more difficult to replicate in Week 18 if the heavily-favored Ravens are able to dominate the time of possession and keep the clock moving. Akins will also be working with a new starting quarterback in the finale, as Bailey Zappe is getting the nod over Thompson-Robinson.

Njoku (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Ravens.

With Njoku sidelined for the Browns' season finale, Jordan Akins is in line to lead the team's tight-end corps in Week 18. Njoku -- who remains under contract with Cleveland in 2025 -- finishes his eighth NFL season with 64 catches for 505 yards and five touchdowns on 97 targets over 11 games.

Conklin (calf) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Conklin also was deemed a non-participant Wednesday, which gives him one more opportunity to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Dolphins. If Conklin is limited or out this weekend, Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah would be candidates to see added Week 18 tight end snaps and targets for the Jets.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After being estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walkthrough, Njoku's absence from practice both Wednesday and Thursday clouds his status for Saturday's season finale against the Ravens. If the tight end is sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would be in line to see an expanded role in Week 18.

Uzomah was placed on injured reserve by the Eagles on Wednesday.

Uzomah suffered an abdominal injury in the team's 41-7 win over the Cowboys in Week 17 and he'll now be forced to miss the team's regular-season finale and potentially the entire postseason. The tight end will finish his 2024 campaign having played 126 offensive snaps and 26 snaps on special teams over seven contests with Philadelphia, failing to record any stats.

Hurst (illness) wasn't listed Wednesday on the Chargers' initial Week 18 injury report.

Hurst was held out of this past Saturday's win over the Patriots due to an illness. However, his exclusion from Los Angeles' first injury report of this week suggests the veteran tight end has since moved past ailment. Hurst thus is on track to play in Sunday's game against Las Vegas, and he'll likely work as the team's No. 2 or 3 tight end.

Goedert (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice.

The Eagles designated Goedert for return from injured reserve Wednesday, but despite being unhindered in his first on-field work since landing on IR on Dec. 7, he doesn't seem likely to be available Sunday. Head coach Nick Sirianni has already said that many of the team's starters -- including quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) and running back Saquon Barkley -- won't play in Week 18, and Goedert presumably fits in that group, too. Still, Goedert's ability to practice after missing the minimum four games is a good sign that his return from IR is imminent, even if it doesn't happen until the wild-card round.

Johnson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Prior to each of the previous four games, Johnson endured some practice restrictions due to a foot issue, but he's nursing a new health concern heading into Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay. As a result, Johnson's status will be watched as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play this weekend.