NFL Player News

Kolar (nose) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Kolar may have picked up the injury during the Ravens' Week 17 win over the Packers, when he played 57 snaps (37 on offense, 20 on special teams) while failing to haul in his lone target from Tyler Huntley late in the third quarter. Kolar will have two more chances to log a full practice ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Steelers.

Henry (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.

Henry now has two more chances to practice before the Patriots assign injury designations ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins. Per Ali Bhanpuri of NFL.com, New England approaches Week 18 action as the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, with both a chance to move up to the No. 1 seed (currently held by Denver) or drop as low as the No. 3 slot. In that context, the team has incentive to play its starters so long as the the results/flow of Sunday's games dictate that's it's worthwhile to do so.

Woods was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a hamstring issue, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Woods may have suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to New England, when he notched his first catch of the season. The fourth-year tight end has been getting more work on offense of late, averaging 19.7 offensive snaps over the past three weeks. That opportunity has come because Mason Taylor -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- has missed three straight games due to a neck injury.

Waller (groin) did not practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller logged a DNP/LP/LP practice pattern in advance of being cleared for Miami's win over Tampa Bay in Week 17, but he was listed with a rest/groin designation then. Now, the veteran tight end seems to simply be managing his groin injury. Waller will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against New England. He secured just one of three targets for zero receiving yards versus the Buccaneers, while fellow tight end Greg Dulcich put together a 5-58-1 receiving line on six targets.

Westover (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Westover was able to overcome an illness to play in the Patriots' Week 17 win over the Jets, but it appears the second-year fullback picked up an ankle injury in the process. He'll have two more chances to return to practice in at least a limited capacity heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dolphins.

Ferguson (calf) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Ferguson didn't play after halftime of last Thursday's win at Washington due to a calf injury, ending Week 17 action with one catch (on two targets) for six yards and one touchdown. He was spotted working with Cowboys trainers on the side Wednesday, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, so his lack of activity to begin Week 18 prep isn't a surprise. Ferguson will have two more sessions this week to put himself in a position to suit up Sunday at the Giants.

Bates (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bates managed an ankle issue earlier in December, but the shoulder injury appears to be something new. The second-year tight end has been seeing more offensive reps of late, logging 53 offensive snaps over the past two weeks and catching one of two targets for 19 yards while David Njoku (knee/personal) has been sidelined. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, and Njoku remained a DNP as well, so Bates could have a path to even more work Week 18 against the Bengals if he's able to suit up.

Stoll (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Stoll was injured in last Sunday's win over the Titans and will miss the regular-season finale. The 27-year-old tight end appeared in 15 games for New Orleans this season, making four starts, and caught six of 11 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown on 21 percent of the offensive snaps.

Helm (toe) did not practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Helm has played through a toe injury since mid-December and hasn't yet been forced to miss any time, though he's generally managed to practice in at least a limited capacity during that stretch. The rookie tight end secured just one of two targets for one receiving yard during Tennessee's loss to the Saints in Week 17. He'll have two more chances to get back on the practice field ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against Jacksonville.

Grandy (chest) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Grandy has been unable to practice or play since sustaining a chest injury during the Bengals' Week 16 win over the Dolphins. He'll likely have to return to practice in at least a limited capacity over the next two days to have a realistic chance of playing in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Browns.