NFL Player News

Hill (ribs) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

After sitting out Weeks 5 and 6 due to rib fractures that didn't allow him to practice in advance of those contests, Hill was listed as limited on all three of the Saints' Week 7 injury reports. In the end, though, a doubtful designation forecast inactive status Thursday, which has come to pass. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau will continue to handle the bulk of the TE reps while Hill is sidelined.

Dulcich (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Saints, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Dulcich will be a healthy scratch for a third straight week as the Broncos roll with Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull as their two tight ends for Thursday night's game. Dulcich's next opportunity to suit up will be Week 8 against the Panthers on Oct. 27. He played in the first four games of the regular season, but his five catches for 28 yards all came in the first two games of the year.

Okwuegbunam (abdomen) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Okwuegbunam began the regular season on injured reserve due to an abdomen injury he sustained during training camp. That's caused him to miss the first five games of the year, but the 2020 fourth-round pick returned to practice Wednesday, and he has been a full participant in both practices. Barring any setbacks, Okwuegbunam should be activated off injured reserve ahead of Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Giants.

Hurst (groin) was listed as a DNP on the Chargers' practice estimate Thursday.

Hurst left in the first half of the Chargers' Week 6 win over the Broncos due to a groin injury. He will have two more opportunities to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of Monday's game against Arizona. Through the first five games of the regular season, Hurst has caught six passes (on 10 targets) for 59 yards.

Hockenson (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Hockenson is nearing the end of his second week of the 21-day window in which the Vikings have to evaluate him and eventually activate him from the reserve/PUP list. So far, he's logged three consecutive capped sessions going back to Oct. 4, and he even spoke about his odds to play Sunday against the Lions. "Yeah, I don't know," Hockenson told Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Thursday. "I mean, it all depends day to day. ... As long as I'm feeling good and rolling, we'll just keep it there." The Vikings will need to activate Hockenson by Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET in order for him to have a chance to suit up this weekend, but first Friday's injury report will reveal if he has a designation for Sunday's contest.

Dissly (shoulder) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate.

Dissly now has two more chances to upgrade his practice participation ahead of Monday night's contest against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, fellow TE Hayden Hurst (groin) didn't practice Thursday, and if Hurst is unavailable versus Arizona, Dissly, assuming he plays, would be in line to see added Week 7 opportunities.

Goedert (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Goedert left Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns after playing just three snaps and has now missed back-to-back practices at the start of Week 7 prep. Grant Calcaterra will fill in as Philadelphia's top tight end in the likely event of Goedert missing Sunday's matchup with the Giants.

Engram (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Engram still hasn't been a full practice participant since injuring his hamstring in pregame warmups Week 2, but he finally returned to action this past Sunday and caught each of his 10 targets for 102 yards in a 35-16 loss to the Bears. He handled 62 percent snap share and 75 percent route share, playing deep into the fourth quarter without any hint of an injury aggravation/setback. Engram seems on track to play again this Sunday against the Patriots, but an injury designation remains possible given his continued limitations in practice.

Kincaid (collarbone) remained listed as limited at practice Thursday.

Kincaid, who also was deemed limited in Wednesday's walkthrough, sported a non-contact jersey during Thursday's session, per Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News. The tight end now has one more chance to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, but if he doesn't do so Friday, he'll presumably head into the weekend with an injury designation.

Thomas (hip) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Thomas was added to the injury report after not being listed Wednesday. He previously spent Weeks 1-5 on injured reserve with a calf strain, and he played just 34 percent of snaps on offense upon returning for a 38-20 loss to the Falcons this past Sunday. Rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders has been getting most of Carolina's TE snaps of late, but that could change with Tommy Tremble returning to full practice Thursday and seemingly on track to clear concussion protocol soon.