NFL Player News

Higbee (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

The Rams opened Higbee's 21-day practice window Wednesday, perhaps getting him ready for the playoffs rather than Week 18 against the Cardinals. Los Angeles has four tight ends that it uses regularly, including Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen.

Adkins (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.

Adkins was able to log a full practice after opening the week as a limited participant Wednesday, moving past the knee injury that forced him to miss the team's Week 17 win over the Chiefs. The tight end will likely operate in his traditional depth role behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman in Sunday's matchup with the Chargers.

Kittle (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Seahawks, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle has been tending to a mid-to-low ankle sprain that sidelined him Week 17 against the Bears, but after logging back-to-back limited sessions to kick off Week 18 prep and then telling Vic Tafur of The Athletic on Wednesday that he "absolutely" expects to play this weekend, he appears to be trending in the right direction to suit up. Ultimately, Kittle's status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Packers placed Castles on the practice squad/injured list Thursday.

Castles' spot on the practice squad has been filled by safety Mark Perry. A depth tight end, Castles initially joined Green Bay's practice squad in November, but he didn't suit up for a single regular-season game with the team.

Ferguson (calf) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

After spending Wednesday's session on the side working with trainers, Ferguson showed some progress with the calf injury that knocked him out for the second half of last Thursday's win at Washington. It's unclear yet if he's in danger of missing Sunday's game at the Giants, but he's put together a modest 25-211-2 line on 34 targets in seven contests since the Cowboys' Week 10 bye.

Goedert (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Goedert has yet to practice this week due to a knee injury, so the possibility exists that the Eagles keep him on the sideline Week 18 against the Commanders with a home game guaranteed for the first round of the playoffs. Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson and Cameron Latu would be the TEs available for more snaps this weekend if Goedert ends up in street clothes.

Kolar (nose) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Kolar was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a nose injury, but the fourth-year tight end practiced without restriction Thursday and is on track to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Steelers. Kolar has caught 10 passes (on 15 targets) for 142 yards and two scores across 16 regular-season games while serving as the Ravens' TE3 behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.

Hockenson has now been listed as a non-participant on five consecutive practice reports due to a shoulder issue, and he wasn't able to suit up Week 17. Barring a surprising return to the practice field Friday, it appears as though Hockenson is trending in the wrong direction to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Josh Oliver will operate as Minnesota's starting tight end if Hockenson is unable to play in Week 18.

Waller (groin) did not practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller has now missed back-to-back practices to begin preparation for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Patriots, making his chances of suiting up for Week 18 appear murky. The veteran tight end has regularly had his practice reps capped throughout the season, but it may be that he'll need to return as at least a limited participant at Friday's practice for any chance of being cleared to go Sunday. Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill will operate as the Dolphins' top tight ends if Waller is unable to play.

Bates (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

A shoulder injury limited Bates' practice participation Wednesday, but his full session Thursday puts him on track to play against the Bengals on Sunday. The second-year tight end has stepped into a more prominent role in the Browns' offense during the absence of David Njoku (knee/personal), and the former could see even more snaps in Week 18 if rookie Harold Fannin (groin) is unable to play.