NFL Player News

Kittle (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle maintained his activity level for a second day in a row and in a fourth straight session going back to last week due to hamstring irritation that sidelined him for this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. No matter, he relayed to David Lombardi of SFStandard.com on Wednesday that he intends to return to action Sunday in Green Bay. The 49ers can confirm as much Friday when they post their final injury report of the week, but a decision also could come down to about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Sinnott (illness) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday's injury report.

Sinnott was limited in Wednesday's session due to an illness, but he appears to be over the issue as he was able to log a full practice Thursday. The rookie second-round pick has logged three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown over his last five outings, though he has failed to see a target across the Commanders' last two games.

The Browns elevated Whiteheart from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

With Geoff Swaim ruled out for Thursday's game due to a concussion, the Browns will replenish their tight-end room by elevating Whiteheart, who will serve as the Browns' No. 3 tight end behind David Njoku and Jordan Akins.

Hooper (neck) has been removed from the Patriots' Week 12 injury report.

Hooper was limited at practice Wednesday, but with his removal from the injury report a day later, the tight end has been cleared to face Miami on Sunday. Though Hooper works in a time share that favors fellow TE Hunter Henry, he's recorded 3-4 catches in four of his last five contests, a pace that puts him on the radar in deeper formats, especially with six teams on bye this week.

Ferguson (concussion) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.

Ferguson has yet to make any notable progress through the protocol for head injuries after sustaining a concussion in the first quarter of Monday's eventual loss to the Texans. Coach Mike McCarthy relayed Tuesday that Ferguson is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game in Washington, and the Cowboys could confirm as much once they post their final practice report Friday. Fellow TE Luke Schoonmaker would stand to benefit if Ferguson is sidelined this weekend.

Johnson (back) practiced in full Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Johnson logged his first uncapped session since Week 9 prep as he tended to a back injury, but he still suited up in New York's last game Week 10 against the Panthers in Munich, Germany, gathering in four of six targets for 37 yards. The team may be welcoming back WR Darius Slayton (concussion) to the lineup Sunday versus the Buccaneers, which likely would move Johnson down the pecking order among Giants pass catchers.

Oliver (ankle/wrist) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Emily Leiker of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

With two straight absences from practice to begin Week 12 prep, Oliver could be facing an uphill battle to suit up Sunday against the Bears after spraining his left ankle in the Vikings' Week 11 win over the Titans. If Oliver is sidelined in Chicago this weekend, T.J. Hockenson would likely benefit from a boost in playing time after logging snap shares between 45 and 46 percent in his first three games since being activated from the PUP list Oct. 25.

Quitoriano played 19 of the Texans' 64 snaps on offense and went without a target in Monday's 34-10 win over the Cowboys.

Since being signed off the Bears' practice squad in October, Quitoriano has been active for each of the Texans' ensuing six games. However, despite logging at least nine snaps on offense in all six of those contests, he's yet to draw a target. He'll continue to operate mainly as a blocker when he takes the field.

Spann-Ford played 41 of the Cowboys' 83 snaps on offense and finished with four catches for 42 yards on five targets in Monday's 34-10 loss to the Texans.

Starting tight end Jake Ferguson played just seven snaps before leaving the game with a concussion, resulting in elevated playing time for Luke Schoonmaker (44 snaps), Spann-Ford and Princeton Fant (seven). With Dallas trailing by multiple scores for much of the contest, quarterback Cooper Rush dropped back 60 times on the night and targeted 11 pass catchers, with Spann-Ford being of the beneficiary of the game script. According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Tuesday that Ferguson "will be hard pressed" to clear concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, and while Schoonmaker would be in line to start for Ferguson, Spann-Ford would still be on track for added snaps.

Russell (foot) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Russell was unable to play in Week 11 against the 49ers due to a foot injury, which appears to still be bothering him as he was unable to practice Wednesday. The 26-year-old tight end will have an opportunity to return to practice Thursday and Friday to give himself a shot at suiting up against Arizona on Sunday. Russell has mostly served on special teams and has not registered a target over nine regular-season games this year.