San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Friday that the status of Kittle (ankle) for Sunday night's game against the Bears will likely be a game-dime decision, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday's injury report will both reveal whether he was able to get on the field as at least a limited participant, and his official injury diagnosis for Week 17. That said, it seems likely that Kittle will garner a 'questionable' designation for Sunday Night Football. The star tight end's status will be made official, one way or another, no later than 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Jake Tonges will stand to operate as San Francisco's top pass-catching tight end in the event that Kittle is ruled out, presenting fantasy managers with a potential pivot option.

Gray hauled in his only target for two yards during Thursday's 20-13 loss to Denver.

Gray fell below a 50 percent offensive snap share for the third time in the last four games, and minimal production has come over that span, tallying just two catches for 16 yards on four targets. He's got a final audition on tap in Week 18 before the waiting game begins regarding Travis Kelce's decision whether or not to play another season or hang up the cleats, potentially opening a starting role to Gray. Even if Kelce opts to retire, there's no guarantee the Chiefs' brass views Gray as the solution at the tight end position moving forward.

Taylor (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Taylor, who last saw game action Week 14, thus will target a potential return to action in the Jets' season finale next weekend when the team faces the Bills in Week 18. In Taylor's continued absence, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods will handle TE duties versus New England. During New York's Week 16 loss to New Orleans, Smartt was the busiest of the trio, catching all five of his targets for 34 yards, while Ruckert caught two of his three targets for 14 yards and Woods didn't record a catch (on two targets).

Kelce brought in five of six targets for 36 yards in the Chiefs' 20-13 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

Kelce was Chris Oladokun's favorite target by far, leading to the veteran tight end recording team highs in receptions, receiving yards and targets. Kelce fared much better than in his first game without Patrick Mahomes (IR, knee) in Week 16 against the Titans, and another week of practice with his young quarterback could lead to a solid finish to an otherwise disappointing season in a Week 18 road matchup against the Raiders.

Whyle (concussion) has no injury designation for Saturday's contest against the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official website reports.

Whyle will make his return to action after missing one contest while recovering from a concussion. The 26-year-old will be back in his timeshare at tight end with Luke Musgrave versus Baltimore.

Njoku (knee) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated practice report.

Njoku did not practice Wednesday and hasn't suited up for either of Cleveland's last two contests, and he appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers as well. The veteran tight end's last chance to take the practice field in some capacity Week 17 will arrive Friday.

Taylor (neck) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice estimate, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets did not hold an official practice session Thursday, but Taylor is nonetheless certainly trending in the wrong direction for Week 17. He's already missed two straight games and was similarly unable to practice Wednesday. Taylor will have one more opportunity to retake the practice field ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

Kittle (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle now has gone down as a DNP on both the 49ers' practice reports since he left Monday's win at Indianapolis in the third quarter due to a left ankle injury and wasn't able to return. He's reportedly dealing with a mid-to-low ankle sprain, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, and Kittle has one more chance to mix into drills Friday before San Francisco potentially makes a ruling on his status for Sunday's game against the Bears. Jake Tonges would be the favorite to step into a pass-catching role among the team's remaining tight ends if Kittle is inhibited or sidelined Week 17.

The Broncos have signed Lewis from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Lewis has bounced between Denver's active roster and practice squad multiple times this season, and he's now slated to suit up for what will be his fifth regular-season appearance of 2025 with the team. Across his prior four appearances Lewis wasn't targeted a single time, so he stands to again contribute mostly as a blocker on Christmas Day. Now a member of the Broncos' active roster, Lewis will be eligible to suit up for both of the team's remaining regular-season games, as well as the entire postseason.

Helm (toe) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Helm continues to manage a toe injury he initially suffered Week 15, but has managed to play through since. The rookie tight end was also limited in practice Wednesday, so he may need to log a full session Friday in order to avoid being assigned an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints. Helm played a career-high 52 offensive snaps (71 percent) versus the Chiefs in Week 16 but only logged two catches for nine yards (on three targets).