NFL Player News

Hill (rib) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Hill was withheld from the Saints' first Week 5 practice, four days after head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that the jack-of-all-trades player injured a rib in Sunday's loss to the Falcons. The 34-year-old will have two more opportunities to log some practice activity before the Saints decide whether he'll carry a designation into Monday's game in Kansas City. Hill previously missed a game Week 3 against the Eagles, but he's suited up in each of the Saints' other three contests while recording two receptions for two yards and carrying 14 times for 77 yards and two scores.

Thomas (calf) was a limited participant during practice Thursday.

Thomas was also limited Wednesday, when he returned to the field after being designated to return from injured reserve. His status for Sunday's matchup will likely remain in the air until at least Friday as he looks to work back from the multi-week injury.

Tremble was a non-participant in Thursday's practice due to a knee injury.

Though he didn't take any reps Thursday, Tremble was on the field during the portion of practice that was available to the media, per Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site. Tremble will likely need to increase his activity in Friday's practice to put himself on track to play in Sunday's game against the Bears.

Oliver (wrist) is listed as a limited participant on Thursday's injury report.

Oliver continues to manage a wrist injury sustained in Week 3, one which he managed to play through during Minnesota's win over the Packers in Week 4. He was also limited in practice Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Oliver still looks on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London and continue splitting reps at the tight-end position alongside Johnny Mundt.

Njoku (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

According to Cabot, Njoku's absence is a planned off day, after he returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion after having not taken the field in any capacity since spraining his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys. Njoku is expected to return to practice Friday, and the Browns will wait and see on how much activity he's able to handle before a determination is made on his availability for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart have been splitting the playing time at tight end during Njoku's absence.

Mayer (personal) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Mayer hasn't practiced since last Wednesday and remains away from the team while he tends to a personal matter. Unless he rejoins the Raiders and takes part in on-field work Friday, he'll likely be ruled out ahead of Sunday's game in Denver. Another absence would pave the way for Harrison Bryant to serve as the Raiders' No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers.

Ertz hauled in all three of his targets for 22 receiving yards in Sunday's 42-14 win over the Cardinals.

Ertz was one of nine Commanders pass catchers to record a reception in the blowout win with quarterback Jayden Daniels spreading the ball around liberally. Though he's held steady at snap shares ranging between 65 and 70 percent through each of the Commanders' first four contests, Ertz has yet to score a touchdown and hasn't drawn more than five targets on any occasion. He was withheld from the Commanders' first Week 5 practice Wednesday due to rest purposes, but he should be ready to go for this Sunday's game against the Browns.

Brown (foot) was a limited participant in the Seahawks' practice Wednesday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Brown popped up on the injury report Wednesday after recording just one reception on two targets while playing 25 snaps on offense in Monday's loss to Detroit. With Noah Fant (toe) also limited in practice Wednesday, the statuses of the top two tight ends on Seattle's depth chart will warrant monitoring leading up this Sunday's game against the Giants.

Fant (toe) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Fant has endured a cap on his reps for at least one practice each week this season due to a toe issue, so his listing on the first Week 5 injury report comes as no surprise. He's been able to play through it, but the results (11-111-0 receiving line on 15 targets) have been minimal in an offense that boasts the NFL's leading passer (Geno Smith) through four weeks. In any case, Fant has two more sessions this week to put his injury behind him for Sunday's visit from the Giants.

Musgrave didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Musgrave logged a pair of limited sessions last week due to a quadricep injury before getting back to full participation Friday, which cleared him for Week 4 action. This time around, he skipped all drills to begin the week, suggesting that the current health concern is more serious. It's unclear if Musgrave may be in danger of sitting out Sunday at the Rams, but the next two days of practice likely will be key to determining his availability.