NFL Player News

Musgrave (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Musgrave was active for this past Sunday's 24-19 win over the Rams, but he didn't play any snaps while he contended with the ankle injury. Assuming he experiences no setbacks coming out of another week of practice, Musgrave should get some playing time this Sunday against the Cardinals, but he still looks destined to handle a minimal role behind top tight end Tucker Kraft, who has recorded 10 receptions for 141 yards and three touchdowns over the past two contests.

Willis signed with the 49ers' active roster from their practice squad Wednesday.

Willis was only elevated from the practice squad once before in Week 3, so he was still eligible to be bumped up two more times. However, San Francisco will opt to sign the Oklahoma product to its active roster with the spot opened up by Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) being placed on IR.

Kolar was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a toe injury.

Kolar has emerged from this past Sunday's 41-38 overtime win over the Bengals nursing an injury. He played 21 snaps on offense and 27 on special teams in the victory, finishing the day with three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on four targets while adding a two-yard carry. He still has two opportunities to return to full practice participation and avoid taking a designation into Sunday's game against the Commanders. Even if he's cleared in advance of Sunday, Kolar still looks to be third on the depth chart at tight end behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Kittle (ribs) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game at Seattle, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kittle was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report due to a lingering rib injury. He then had his reps capped at Tuesday's walkthrough before upgrading to full activity Wednesday, which was enough for the eighth-year pro to gain clearance to suit up Week 6. Kittle thus will be facing a Seahawks defense Thursday that has allowed the 10th-most yards per target (7.7) to opposing tight ends this season.

Gesicki didn't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Gesicki was on the field for 29 of the Bengals' 67 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Ravens, finishing with two catches for 31 yards on two targets. After logging 18 targets in his first three games this season, the veteran has seen just three over his last two outings, with the emergence of rookie Erick All (14-92-0 receiving line on 14 targets over the last four games) having begun to hamper Gesicki's fantasy upside.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski labeled Njoku (knee) "day-to-day" after the tight end didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

While the day-to-day label suggests Njoku isn't dealing with anything serious, he'll still likely need to practice in some fashion Thursday and/or Friday to have a realistic chance of avoiding a fourth absence in a five-game span Sunday against the Eagles. He returned from an ankle injury in Week 5 against the Commanders, but the knee injury doesn't seem to be related.

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

Engram hasn't played in a game since injuring his hamstring in pregame warmups ahead of the Jaguars' Week 2 loss to the Browns, but head coach Doug Pederson said earlier this week that the tight end has a "pretty good" chance of playing this weekend against the Bears in London, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Jaguars will wait and see if Engram is able to upgrade to full participation in practice Thursday or Friday before deciding whether he takes a designation into Sunday.

Thomas (calf) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Thomas appears to be nearing a return to the field after missing Carolina's first five games of the season due to a calf issue, but the 28-year-old must still be activated from injured reserve if he's to suit up Sunday against the Falcons. Head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Thomas could "absolutely" be back for the Panthers' Week 6 matchup if he proves he's moved past his calf injury during practice this week, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Mayer (personal) remains away from the Raiders ahead of Wednesday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Mayer missed the past two games and appears in danger of missing another this Sunday against the Steelers. Harrison Bryant has taken on more playing time in Mayer's absence, while Brock Bowers is still dominating the tight-end targets but hasn't gotten much of a playing-time boost.

Tremble (concussion) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Tremble endured a helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears safety Jaquan Brisker this past Sunday, which resulted in the tight end entering the concussion protocol. With just two more chances to mix into drills this week, he could be hard-pressed to put himself in a position to play Sunday against the Falcons. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Ian Thomas (calf) -- who remains on injured reserve -- practiced fully Wednesday, and head coach Dave Canales said that Thomas "absolutely" has a chance to return this weekend, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press. If that comes to pass, the Panthers may have to roll with Thomas, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Feleipe Franks as their options at the position for Week 6.