NFL Player News

Durham (calf) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Durham also sat out Wednesday's practice session, and his calf injury forced him to sit out Tampa Bay's loss to the Ravens in Week 7. The depth tight end's status again looks to be in question for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta. Ko Kieft and Devin Culp will be in line to again handle increased reserve work behind behind starter Cade Otton at the tight end position if Durham can't go.

Bryant (elbow) did not participate at the Raiders' practice Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Bryant is nursing an elbow injury to open the week, forcing him to sit out the team's first practice session ahead of Sunday's matchup with Kansas City. The tight end will have two more chances to return to the field this week in order to avoid an injury designation for Week 8.

Hill (rib) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Hill has been listed as a limited participant on four consecutive practice reports going back to last week, but he's still seeking his first game action since Week 4 in Atlanta. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau have been handling tight end reps in the interim, but Johnson joined Hill as a limited participant Wednesday due to a shoulder injury. As a result, the statuses of both Hill and Johnson will continue to be watched as the weekend approaches to see if either are in danger of sitting out Sunday at the Chargers.

Johnson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

Johnson previously dealt with a forearm issue during Week 5 prep, but he's been able to suit up in all seven games this season and earn at least a 50 percent snap share in five consecutive contests. He hasn't produced much during those five weeks, accruing a 13-110-0 receiving line in 17 targets, even with Taysom Hill (rib) sidelined for four of them. Both Johnson and Hill had caps on their practice reps Wednesday, so the statuses of both will need to be monitored as the week goes on.

Dissly (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice session, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Dissly is coming off a breakout performance against the Cardinals on Monday, when he recorded a career-high eight receptions (on 11 targets) for 81 yards. He was Justin Herbert's favorite target in the absence of wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle), but Dissly is still working through a shoulder injury that limited him in practice leading up to Monday's contest. Dissly will have two more chances to increase his practice activity ahead of the Chargers' Week 8 matchup with the Saints on Sunday.

Hurst (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Hurst suffered a groin injury in the first quarter of a Week 6 win over Denver and then missed a Week 7 loss to the Cardinals. His absence opened up more snaps and routes for fellow tight end Will Dissly, who caught more passes (eight) in the loss to Arizona than Hurst had caught all season (six).

Engram (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Engram missed four straight games with the hamstring injury earlier in the season, and though the Jaguars continue to manage his practice reps, he has suited up for the last two contests while catching all 15 of his targets between Weeks 6 and 7. Barring a setback, Engram should be available for a favorable matchup Sunday against a Packers defense that has struggled to contain tight ends this season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (foot) won't practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

During Shanahan's rundown of 49ers injuries Monday, Kittle was labeled as day-to-day due to a sprained foot, so it's no surprise that the team is taking a cautious approach with the veteran tight end. Kittle thus will have two more chances to get in some activity this week before San Francisco potentially gives him a designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. If he's able to suit up, Kittle likely will be one of the top targets for quarterback Brock Purdy, as wideout Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season due to ACL and MCL tears, wideout Deebo Samuel is recovering from pneumonia, and wideout Jauan Jennings still isn't practicing due to a hip injury.

Tremble (back) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Tremble cleared concussion protocol last week but nonetheless missed a second straight game, sitting out of a 40-7 loss to the Commanders due to a back injury. Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (groin/wrist) has been one of Carolina's few bright spots in recent weeks while running routes on about three-fourths of the pass snaps, so Tremble may be in store for a smaller role once he's ready to return.

Sanders was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to groin and wrist injuries.

He's a new addition to the injury report this week, after catching each of his six targets for 61 yards in a 40-7 loss to the Commanders on Sunday. The outlook for Week 8 isn't encouraging even if Sanders shakes off the health concerns, as he'll be catching passes from quarterback Bryce Young in a road matchup with a tough Denver defense. Additionally, fellow Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) has some chance of returning from a back injury this week to give Sanders more competition for playing time.