NFL Player News

Sample was deemed a non-participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough due to a groin issue, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

This is the first word of the tight end dealing with a groin issue, and it's currently unclear how severe the injury is. Sample handled about his usual workload this past Saturday against Denver, logging 51 offensive snaps and recording one catch on one target for three yards. Sample isn't typically a big part of the Bengals' air attack, but his effective blocking would be missed if he can't suit up Saturday versus Pittsburgh.

Hudson (knee) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Hudson has missed Cincinnati's past two contests while dealing with a knee injury. Though the Bengals held a walkthrough Tuesday, Hudson's designation as limited is at least a step in the right direction, as he didn't practice at all last week. If Hudson can return to game action Saturday against Pittsburgh, he could get a bump in playing time, as fellow tight end Drew Sample was estimated as a DNP on Tuesday due to a groin injury.

Mayer caught one of two targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints.

Mayer logged 75 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps, but he managed to catch only one pass while rookie tight end Brock Bowers posted a 7-77-0 receiving line on seven targets, setting multiple season records in the process. Mayer's snap share figures to remain elevated against the Chargers in Las Vegas' finale, but playing time hasn't equated to production for him over the past three weeks.

LaPorta brought in six of eight targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 40-34 win over the 49ers on Monday night.

LaPorta finished second in receptions and receiving yards while also tying for the runner-up spot in targets for the Lions on the night. The second-year tight end recorded a touchdown for the second straight game when he brought in a six-yard pass from Jared Goff early in the third quarter, and LaPorta now has at least four catches in four straight contests for the first time this season. LaPorta once again should play a key role in a Week 18 home matchup against the Vikings that will determine the winner of both the NFC North and NFC's No. 1 seed.

Kittle corralled all eight of his targets for 112 yards in Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions.

Kittle was able to crack the century mark in receiving yards in consecutive games and for the third time over his last four appearances. Monday's strong showing also propelled the superstar tight end to his fourth 1,000-yard season in eight years as a pro. Kittle will look to put a bow on a stellar fantasy campaign Week 18 against the Cardinals, but he may be without the services of starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) after the latter exited Monday's loss late due to injury.

Vannett recorded one reception on one target for eight yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jaguars.

Vannett played a minimal role on offense, as he was on the field for just 12 offensive snaps. However, he made the most of his role and lone target in the game by hauling in a wide-open target from eight yards away to find the end zone. Vannett now has 15 receptions on the season, three of which have gone for touchdowns.

Higgins gathered in two of three targets for 23 yards during Saturday's 13-9 loss at the Rams.

The Cardinals deployed three tight ends, but Trey McBride continued to dominate snaps (73 of 79) and targets (16, which resulted in a 12-123-1 line) ahead of Higgins (22 and three, respectively) and Tip Reiman (24 and zero). Since the team's Week 11 bye, Higgins' snap share has ranged from 19 to 36 percent, but his cumulative 6-56-0 line on nine targets over the last six contests has left much to be desired. He'll look to put one last stamp on his second pro season in Week 18 against the 49ers.

Shenker reverted to the Raiders' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Shenker was elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row ahead of Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints, failing to record any stats while playing four snaps on offense and 20 snaps on special teams. The tight end seems likely to be added to the active roster again for the team's regular-season finale in Week 18 against the Chargers.

Culp secured three of four targets for 52 yards in the Buccaneers' 48-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

With Cade Otton (knee) sidelined for a second straight week, Culp saw the first four targets of his career and made good use of them with gains of 26, 17 and nine yards on his trio of grabs. A rookie seventh-round pick, Culp displayed some solid pass-catching chops during his college days at Washington with a 66-711-4 line across 42 games over his last four seasons of eligibility. Culp logged 20 snaps in Sunday's lopsided victory, and although Payne Durham paced the position group comfortably with 59 plays from scrimmage, Culp's performance may have earned him more playing time in a Week 18 home matchup against the Saints.

The Ravens are hopeful that Kolar (forearm) will be activated off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale against the Browns, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kolar was designated to return from IR on Monday after missing the last four games due to a fractured arm that he suffered against the Chargers in Week 12. Head coach John Harbaugh said that Baltimore will evaluate Kolar's progression in practice in order to determine whether the third-year tight end will play Saturday. If Kolar is cleared to play, he would serve as the Ravens' No. 3 tight end behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.