NFL Player News

Oliver (ankle) was a non-participant in practice Thursday.

Oliver was also estimated as a DNP on Wednesday. The tight end hasn't practiced since spraining his ankle Week 11 against Tennessee and missed last Sunday's game against the Bears. Johnny Mundt figures to again get increased offensive snaps this Sunday versus Arizona if Oliver is unable to suit up.

Sanders (neck) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Sanders is in recovery mode from a neck injury that he sustained this past Sunday against the Chiefs in which he was carted off the field and required further evaluation at a Charlotte area hospital. Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Sanders to be available for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, per Gantt, but the tight end may get back on the practice field before week's end. Friday's injury report will reveal as much and also may include a ruling on his Week 13 status.

Firkser was elevated from Kansas City's practice squad Thursday ahead of Friday's game against the Raiders.

Firkser will get his first elevation since signing to Kansas City's practice squad Nov. 2. He got into four games with the Jets earlier this season, totaling eight offensive snaps and 60 snaps on special teams without recording any other stats. Firkser's elevation this week follows the placement of fellow tight end Peyton Hendershot on IR due to a calf injury.

Higbee (knee), who was designated for return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, was a limited participant in practice to begin Week 13 prep.

Higbee appears to be in the final stages of his recovery from the ACL and MCL tears that he sustained Jan. 14 in a postseason loss at Detroit. However, head coach Sean McVay implied Tuesday that Higbee likely won't be able to suit up Sunday in New Orleans, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. Aside from Week 13, the Rams have two more games (Dec. 8 against the Bills and Dec. 12 at San Francisco) within Higbee's 21-day practice window, so he may have a better chance to return in one of those contests.

Russell (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Russell missed the Seahawks' last two games due to a foot injury. Wednesday was his first practice since the injury, and he'll have two more chances this week to increase his participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. Russell has mostly played on special teams and has not registered a target across nine regular-season games.

Fant (groin) practiced fully Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Going back to last week, Fant has put together two straight uncapped sessions, indicating he's past the groin injury that has sidelined him for the last three games. Prior to his absence, he regularly paced Seahawks tight ends en route to a 27-285-0 receiving line on 32 targets during the first eight contests of the campaign. Fant likely will settle back into the starting role Sunday at the Jets.

The Rams designated Higbee (knee) for return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday.

This transaction follows comments from head coach Sean McVay on Tuesday that Higbee was in line to return to practice this week, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. At the same time, McVay relayed that Higbee is unlikely to play Sunday at New Orleans. The Rams will likely take a cautious approach with Higbee, who suffered ACL and MCL tears in his right knee back on Jan. 14 in a playoff loss in Detroit. With his 21-day window in which to get back on the active roster opened, he's drawing closer to making his season debut.

Quitoriano (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Quitoriano dealt with a calf issue earlier this season, but the knee injury is a new one. He's played 22 percent of the offensive snaps across seven games since rejoining the Texans on Oct. 8. Quitoriano has yet to draw a target in the pass game and is mostly used as a blocker.

Ferguson (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Giants, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Ferguson thus will miss a second game in a row due to the concussion that he suffered in the first quarter of a Week 11 loss to the Texans. Considering he hasn't practiced since suffering the injury, he likely hasn't made much, if any, progress through league's five-step protocol. In any case, for as long as Ferguson is sidelined, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford will continue to serve as the Cowboys' top tight ends.

Dissly did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

The tight end is tending to the injury after he caught all four of his targets for 47 yards in this past Monday's loss to the Ravens. With Hayden Hurst (hip) on injured reserve and Dissly nursing the knee issue, the Chargers' healthy tight ends at the moment are Stone Smartt and Tucker Fisk.