NFL Player News

Hudson (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session.

Hudson has been sidelined since Week 1 due to a knee injury, but it appears the 29-year-old will be good to go for Sunday's game against the Ravens. He played 22 snaps (nine on offense, 13 on special teams) and caught two passes (on three targets) for 18 yards in Week 1. It's unclear how Hudson will fit into the offense, especially with backups Erick All and Drew Sample both seeing more snaps than starter Mike Gesicki in Week 4 against the Panthers.

Kieft (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Kieft was able to log a full practice Wednesday after estimating back-to-back limited sessions to open the Buccaneers' week of practice. The third-year pro is expected to serve as a depth piece in the team's tight end room while primarily playing on special teams during Tampa Bay's Week 5 divisional matchup.

Bell (neck) was a limited participant during practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Bell was never on the Patriots' Week 4 injury report and was presumably a healthy inactive for their loss to the 49ers. So, it's not clear when he would have picked up the injury.

Westover (undisclosed) signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday.

Westover spent training camp with the Seahawks after joining the team as a UDFA out of Washington. However, an undisclosed injury led to him being waived with an injury settlement. Now healthy, he'll work to make the most of his new opportunity in New England.

Engram (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Engram, who last saw game action Week 1, was unable to practice last week, so his involvement in Wednesday's session offers hope that he could play Sunday against the Colts. The tight end has two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of the contest, though he'll presumably need to put in a full session by Friday in order to avoid a Week 5 injury designation.

Njoku (ankle) was a limited participant Wednesday in his return to practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku missed the past three games after suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 1 against the Cowboys. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier Wednesday that the Browns will need to see Njoku practice throughout the week before deciding if he's ready to play this Sunday at Washington. An upgrade to full participation Thursday and/or Friday would put Njoku on track to play.

Pruitt (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Pruitt sustained a knee injury during the Steelers' Week 2 win over the Broncos that has sidelined him for the team's last two games. The Southern Illinois product will likely have to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to suit up for the Steelers' Week 5 matchup against the Cowboys.

Kmet was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Kmet handled a full workload in Sunday's 24-18 win over the Rams, playing 93 percent of snaps and catching all three of his targets for 34 yards. He's back to a near-every-down role after opening the season in a timeshare with Gerald Everett, and while a knee injury may limit Kmet's practice participation this week, his ability to do some work Wednesday suggests he's on track to play this Sunday against the Panthers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (ribs) won't take part in Wednesday's practice, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

After Shanahan termed Kittle day-to-day Monday, it comes as no surprise that the 49ers are taking a cautious approach with the veteran tight end, especially considering all the injuries that have affected the skill positions through just four games this season. Kittle will have two more chances for on-field work this week before San Francisco potentially tags him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday the team plans to designate Hockenson (knee) for a return to practice Friday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Hockenson spent the first four games of the regular season on the reserve/PUP list while working his way back from right ACL and MCL tears sustained Dec. 24 of last season. Minnesota plans for Hockenson to travel with the team to London ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets and have his first practice session Friday. At that time, Hockenson's official 21-day practice window will open. Hockenson doesn't seem to be in consideration to face New York on Sunday, after which point the Vikings will benefit from a bye week. The team hasn't yet offered a definitive timetable for Hockenson's return, but Oct. 20 versus the Lions in Week 7 and Oct. 24 against the Rams in Week 8 could be in play.