NFL Player News

FitzPatrick (back) is active for Thursday's game against the Dolphins, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

FitzPatrick was in danger of missing Thursday's game after logging consecutive DNPs to open the week, but he will be active after participating in Wednesday's walkthrough in a limited capacity. FitzPatrick will serve as the Packers' No. 3 tight end behind Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims.

Woerner (concussion) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's injury report, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.

Woerner's full practice Thursday indicates that he is progressing through the league's five-step concussion protocols. He will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play against the Chargers on Sunday. The fifth-year tight end has mostly been utilized as a blocker this season and has logged two catches (on four targets) for 17 yards across 10 regular-season games.

Moreau (shoulder) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report.

Moreau would have maintained his activity level from Wednesday if the Saints had held practice, but his listing Thursday indicates that he's still bothered by the shoulder injury that he sustained in the team's last game Nov. 17 against the Browns. Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not he goes into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Rams.

The Texans placed Quitoriano (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.

Quitoriano may have picked up the injury during the Texans' Week 12 loss to the Titans this past Sunday. By being placed on injured reserve, Quitoriano will be forced to miss at least the next four regular-season games, making Week 18 against Tennessee on Sunday, Jan. 5 the earliest he could be activated off IR. Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover are the two healthy tight ends on the 53-man roster, so the Texans could elevate Irv Smith from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

LaPorta caught three of six targets for six yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's 23-20 win over the Bears.

LaPorta caught a three-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and added a one-yard score in the third. Despite his modest yardage total in this game, LaPorta's usage has trended up recently; he's drawn at least six targets in four of his past five appearances after falling short of that mark in each of his first six games this season. The second-year tight end has scored five touchdowns in his last seven games, showcasing the red-zone proficiency that helped him rack up 10 regular-season TDs as a rookie in 2023. He'll look to build on his recent momentum Week 14 against the Packers, which will be another Thursday game.

Swaim (concussion) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Swaim was sidelined for the Browns' Week 12 win over the Steelers due to a concussion. The veteran tight end will need to clear the league's five-step concussion protocols in order to play against the Broncos on Monday. A return to practice Friday and Saturday -- even in a limited capacity -- would indicate that Swaim is progressing through concussion protocols.

Higbee (knee) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice report, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

The Rams designated Higbee for return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, which was the first step as the team prepares to get their No. 1 TE back in the lineup for the first time since he suffered ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during a playoff loss at Detroit on Jan. 14. So far, he's been listed as limited on both Week 13 injury reports, but coach Sean McVay told Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com on Tuesday that he doesn't believe Higbee will be activated in time for Sunday's game at New Orleans. Friday's practice report may provide a ruling on that front.

Dissly (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday.

After he was deemed a non-participant Wednesday, Dissly's limited listing one day later has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. Friday's injury report will reveal whether the tight end is able to work fully to close the week, and in turn if he heads into the weekend with a Week 13 injury designation.

Kincaid (knee) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Back-to-back listings of DNP cloud Kincaid's status for Sunday night's game against the 49ers, with the tight end down to one chance to return to practice ahead of Week 13 action. If Kincaid ends up remaining sidelined for the contest, Dawson Knox would be in line to maintain an expanded role in the Bills offense as the team's top TE option versus San Francisco.

Dissly (groin) was spotted at practice Thursday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

It's not yet clear whether Dissly was limited or if he practiced in full, but either way his participation is a step up after he was deemed a non-participant Wednesday. The Chargers' top tight end's practice level Friday should determine whether he'll enter the weekend with an injury designation. Tucker Fisk and Stone Smartt are the other tight ends currently on Los Angeles' 53-man roster.