NFL Player News

Musgrave said Thursday that he checked out fine in his return to action in the Packers' Week 18 win over the Bears and expects to take on a larger workload Sunday in the wild-card game in Dallas, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

After missing six straight games with a lacerated kidney, Musgrave was activated from injured reserve ahead of the regular-season finale, but he ended up seeing the lightest snap count of his rookie campaign as the Packers intentionally eased him back into the mix. Musgrave recorded one catch for 11 yards across his nine snaps in the win over Chicago and said he felt good after absorbing some contact, so he'll presumably increase the intensity of his practice activity this week to prepare himself for more work in the postseason opener. Musgrave probably won't be asked to take on the 70-plus-percent snap shares he typically handled prior to suffering the injury to his kidney, but he could end up operating in more of an even timeshare at tight end Sunday with fellow rookie Tucker Kraft.

LaPorta (knee) said that he was able to take reps during the portion of Thursday's practice that was closed to the media, and he's "optimistic" about his chances of playing in Sunday's wild-card game against the Rams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After he wasn't spotted on the field with his healthy teammates in the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, LaPorta looked destined to be listed as a non-participant on the Lions' second consecutive injury report, but the rookie was apparently able to take part in some drills and route running behind the scenes. Though head coach Dan Campbell suggested earlier in the week that the tight end had only an outside shot to play in the postseason opener after suffering a bone bruise and hyperextended left knee in last Sunday's win over the Vikings, LaPorta seems to have made quicker progress in his recovery than anticipated. LaPorta is still likely to carry an injury designation into Sunday, and even if he does gain clearance to play, he acknowledged that he'll probably have to play with a brace on the injured knee to avoid further aggravation, per Bridget Condon of NFL Network.

LaPorta (knee) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

LaPorta made an early exit from this past Sunday's win against the Vikings in the second quarter after his foot got stuck in the turf, resulting in his left knee bending awkwardly. Afterward, he was diagnosed with a hyperextension and bone bruise in the knee in question, and coach Dan Campbell told Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site on Monday that the rookie second-round pick had an "outside shot" to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Rams. Campbell added at the time that the team would have a better idea of LaPorta's upcoming availability in 48 hours, but the tight end has since logged back-to-back absences. In the end, Friday's injury report may include a final ruling on LaPorta's status heading into the weekend, and if he's inhibited or sidelined, TE reps will trickle down to Brock Wright and James Mitchell.

Knox isn't participating in Thursday's practice due to an illness, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Knox's ailment apparently surfaced at some point after Wednesday's practice, as the veteran tight end didn't appear on the Bills' initial weekly injury report released a day earlier. Assuming he's able to make a quick recovery from the illness and gets back on the field for Friday's practice, Knox should still be in good position to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. After returning from injured reserve following the Bills' Week 13 bye, Knox suited up for each of the team's final five regular-season contests but played fewer than half of the offensive snaps in four of those games while rookie Dalton Kincaid surpassed him in the pecking order at tight end.

Brown finished the 2023 season with 13 catches (on 15 targets) for 208 yards and a touchdown in 17 games with the Patriots.

Brown, who turns 30 in May, carved out a niche in the Patriots offense this past season alongside fellow TEs Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, making his mark as a run blocker, while also logging six receptions that resulted in 15-plus yard gains, per Evan Lazar of the team's official site. Brown is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and should be able to land another opportunity to work in a complementary role in 2024, be it in New England or elsewhere.

Bellinger didn't draw a target across 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Eagles.

Bellinger finished the regular season with 25 catches on 28 targets for 255 yards and no touchdowns over 17 contests. From a production standpoint, Bellinger was more or less in line with his numbers from his 2022 rookie campaign, when he posted 30 catches for 268 yards and a pair of scores. However, the tight end played in five more contests this season, and he took a step back on the depth chart after New York acquired Darren Waller in the offseason. The Giants have expressed an affinity for Bellinger despite the Waller addition, but with the latter under contract through 2026, it's difficult to envision a scenario in which Bellinger's role on offense grows substantially in the near future. Bellinger has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

Thomas finished the regular season with five catches on nine targets for 56 yards in 12 games.

Thomas endured the worst campaign of his six-year career, with his five missed games playing a factor. Even when healthy, though, Thomas has long been a blocking tight end, not topping 200 receiving yards since his rookie year. With the Panthers having a potential out from the final year of Thomas' current contract, it remains to be seen whether he'll return to Carolina under a new front office and coaching staff.

Tremble recorded two catches for 11 yards on two targets in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Buccaneers.

Tremble appeared in 16 of the Panthers' 17 games during the regular season, finishing with 23 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 32 targets. Even though he saw elevated snaps over the second half of the campaign while Hayden Hurst was out with a concussion, Tremble's receiving production remained strikingly similar to his two prior NFL seasons. The tight end will enter the final season of his rookie contract in 2024 and will look to remain a complementary option in what will hopefully be an improved offense under a new coaching staff.

Wright (hip) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

As expected, Wright looks on track to be ready to go for Sunday's wild-card game versus the Rams. Meanwhile, top tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) didn't participate in practice Wednesday and is uncertain to be available for the playoff opener, making it increasingly likely that Wright finds himself in a starting role this weekend.

Higbee (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Higbee wasn't able to practice at all last week after sustaining a dislocated left shoulder Week 17 against the Giants, so his return to drills this week marks the first noticeable progress in his recovery. His status will continued to be monitored Thursday and Friday to see if he has a chance to return to action for Sunday's wild-card contest in Detroit. If Higbee is sidelined this weekend or limited in any fashion, Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins are the candidates to fill at tight end for the Rams.