NFL Player News

Gesicki (hamstring) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Gesicki didn't practice Wednesday, so the tight end's activity a day later -- albeit in a capped fashion -- has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants. However, he'll presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Freiermuth was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a calf injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

It's a new addition to the injury report after Freiermuth wasn't listed Wednesday. An absence from practice Friday would hint at at a significant mid-week injury, whereas even limited participation likely would put the tight end on track to play this Sunday at Las Vegas.

Thomas (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Carolina's official team site reports.

It looked like Thomas could see a return off injured reserve as early as this week with a full practice Wednesday, but he may be used with more caution and pushed to a return next week. The 6-foot-4 tight end will likely need a full practice on Friday if there's any hope of an active status Sunday against the Falcons.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday that Musgrave (ankle) "more than likely" will be placed on injured reserve, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Musgrave didn't practice at all last week due to an ankle injury, and while he was able to suit up this past Sunday at the Rams, he didn't see the field. He then managed a limited session to kick off Week 6 prep Wednesday, but the aforementioned health concern now will require some time to recover from. "He's been dealing with something and fighting through," LaFleur added. "He's gonna be down for some time." There's some "hope" that Musgrave will be able to return later this season, as LaFleur told Hodkiewicz. In the meantime, though, Tucker Kraft will continue to be Green Bay's No. 1 TE, with Ben Sims and newcomer John FitzPatrick filling in behind him.

Tremble (concussion) didn't practice Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Ja'Tavion Sanders played nearly every snap after Tremble entered concussion protocol during Sunday's loss to Chicago, but Sanders won't necessarily have the same role if Tremble is absent this weekend against Atlanta, as fellow tight end Ian Thomas (calf) may be ready to come off injured reserve. Thomas was a full practice participant Wednesday and a limited participant Thursday.

Njoku (knee/ankle) is participating in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku is back at practice Thursday after having been listed as 'DNP' on Wednesday's injury report due to knee and ankle issues. A high-ankle sprain kept the standout tight end sidelined Week 2 through Week 4, but he was able to return to the field during Cleveland's loss to Washington in Week 5. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has labeled Njoku day-to-day, so even if Njoku is only practicing in a limited capacity Thursday, that represents a notable step in the right direction. Friday's practice report will key to determining Njoku's chances of suiting up on the road at Philadelphia on Sunday.

Uzomah signed with the Eagles' practice squad Thursday.

Uzomah signed with Philadelphia as a free agent in April, but he was ultimately released by the team Aug. 21. He'll now rejoin the franchise as a member of the practice squad and work to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Packers signed Fitzpatrick off the Falcons' practice squad and to their active roster Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

FitzPatrick will bolster Green Bay's depth at tight end while Luke Musgrave continues to tend to an ankle injury. The former was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Atlanta but didn't appear in a game for the team until 2023, when he suited up nine times and caught his only target for a 12-yard gain.

Whiteheart signed with the Browns' practice squad Thursday.

Cleveland waived Whiteheart on Tuesday, but now he's back with the franchise as a member of its practice squad. The Wake Forest product had three catches for 13 yards and a touchdown in four games this season while David Njoku was tending to an ankle injury.

Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Thursday that Conklin (hip) will be limited in practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Conklin is coming off the best game of his 2024 campaign, having secured six of nine targets for 55 yards in New York's 23-17 loss to the Vikings in London. The veteran tight end will have two more opportunities to increase his activity level at practice before Monday's key divisional matchup against the Bills. Conklin worked as the No. 3 target for the Jets' offense behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard in Week 5, but with Albert Breer of SI.com reporting that passing game coordinator Todd Downing will take over offensive playcalling duties, changes could be on deck for Aaron Rodgers (ankle/hamstring) and this offense.