NFL Player News

Fant (groin) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Fant hasn't practiced since Oct. 30 due to a groin injury, resulting in a pair of absences (Weeks 9 and 11) sandwiched around a Week 10 bye. Reserve tight end Brady Russell (foot) also was held out of practice Wednesday, which leaves AJ Barner and Pharaoh Brown (elbow) as the healthy options at the position on the Seahawks' active roster at the moment. Fant will have two more sessions this week to put himself on a path to return to action Sunday against the Cardinals, but until he steps back on the practice field, his odds to suit up will be slim.

Oliver didn't practice Wednesday due to ankle and wrist injuries.

Oliver never returned after exiting with a sprained left ankle during the second half of a 23-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. He's curiously improved his pass-catching production since T.J. Hockenson returned from an ACL tear in Week 9, continuing to get plenty of snaps in two-tight end sets while Johnny Mundt has all but been pushed out of the offense. An Oliver absence for Week 12 at Chicago likely would mean more snaps and routes for both Hockenson and Mundt.

The Giants signed Murray to their practice squad Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Murray spent some time with the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this season before inking a deal to join the Giants' practice squad Wednesday. The 24-year-old tight end has yet to appear in an NFL game after going undrafted out of Hawaii in 2023.

Ferguson (concussion) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice.

Ferguson's absence from practice comes as no surprise after he exited Monday's loss to the Texans early after sustaining a concussion. Head coach Mike McCarthy told Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that Ferguson would be "hard pressed" to play Sunday in Washington, but any progress the tight end is able to display Thursday or Friday may give a better sense of when he'll be available to the Cowboys offense again. Meanwhile, Luke Schoonmaker was the main beneficiary among Dallas tight ends Monday, gathering in six of 10 targets for 56 yards.

The Chargers cut Castles from their practice squad Wednesday.

Castles returned to the Chargers' practice squad Nov. 9 after being dropped just three days before, but it now appears the Bolts have decided to move in another direction. The 24-year-old has yet to appear in an NFL game after going undrafted out of Tennessee this past offseason.

Zylstra (neck) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Zylstra left Sunday's win over the Jaguars early with the injury, but it doesn't appear the tight end is suffering any lasting effects from it. Barring any setbacks, he should be good to go Week 12 against the Colts.

Bryant (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Bryant was sidelined for the Raiders' Week 11 loss to the Dolphins due to an ankle injury, so Wednesday's DNP comes as no surprise. He likely needs to get back on the field in a limited capacity either Thursday or Friday in order to suit up for Las Vegas' Week 12 matchup against the Broncos. If Bryant is unable to do so, expect Justin Shorter to serve as the Raiders' No. 3 tight end.

Johnson was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a back injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

On the heels of New York's Week 11 bye, Johnson is still dealing with the back issue that capped his practice reps prior to the team's last game against the Panthers in Munich on Nov. 10. He managed to play 69 of 75 offensive snaps (92 percent) in that contest en route to hauling in four of six targets for 37 yards. Considering the health concern is persisting, Johnson's status will be monitored as the week continues to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday versus the Buccaneers.

Kittle (hamstring) relayed his intention to return to action Week 12, saying he'll "for sure" play Sunday at Green Bay, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

Kittle missed this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks due to hamstring irritation, but he's slated to be limited at Wednesday's practice, as head coach Kyle Shanahan told Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. That would mark Kittle's third capped session in a row dating back to last week, and he'll have two more chances to get back to full participation this week before the 49ers need to make a decision regarding whether or not he'll carry a designation into Sunday's contest.

Sinnott (was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an illness.

The rookie tight end from Kansas State has yet to miss a game this season, catching all three of his targets for 18 yards and one touchdown while playing 195 offensive snaps. He's expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Cowboys unless the illness prevents him from practicing Thursday or Friday.