NFL Player News

Njoku (knee/illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku has been cleared to play in the season finale, despite having not managed anything more than limited participation in practice this week while dealing with the illness and a knee injury. Though he's on track to be active Week 18, Njoku could end up taking on well below a full workload, as the Browns are already locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs and aren't likely to overextend key players. If Njoku plays only limited snaps or sits out the game entirely, Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins would see expanded roles at tight end.

Kmet (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers.

While nursing the same knee injury last week, Kmet was listed as questionable and viewed as a true game-time decision leading up to the Bears' matchup with the Falcons. He was active for the contest, but Kmet was limited to a season-low 13 snaps in the Bears' 37-17 win. Kmet once again carries a questionable tag into the season finale, and though he's probably still less than 100 percent, he's presumably healthier than he was a week ago after he was able to put in a full practice Friday. Whether that translates to him handling the three-down role he's typically maintained for most of the season remains to be seen, but expect Kmet to at least receive clearance to play in advance of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Musgrave (kidney) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Musgrave was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 21, but he will need to be officially activated prior to Sunday's game in order to play. He was able to practice on a limited basis for a second consecutive week in hopes of returning to game action for the first time since Week 11. Fellow rookie tight end Tucker Kraft has been filling in atop the depth chart in Musgrave's absence.

Muse (knee) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at Detroit, Matthew Coller of PurpleInsider.com reports.

Muse is on track to suit up for his second game of the season in Week 18. He played exclusively on special teams in Week 17, and it's reasonable to expect he'll play a similar role Sunday.

Kieft (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Kieft was a full participant at practice Friday, so he's likely on the probable end of the questionable designation. If he can't go in Week 18, though, rookie fifth-rounder Payne Durham would project to see an expanded role.

Smartt (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The backup tight end has yet to play in more than 57 percent of the offensive snaps in any game this season. Smartt has nine catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

Henry (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Henry, who has missed two straight games, also was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, so he likely will need to work fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. If, however, Henry remains sidelined this weekend, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown would continue to lead New England's TE corps in Week 18.

Johnson (chest) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Johnson followed up Wednesday's absence from practice with some activity one day later, signifying progress through his current chest issue. He has one more session Friday to prove his health before the Saints potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. If do-it-all running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) sits out this weekend, an active Johnson could benefit from the trickle-down effect of the former's 6.6 targets per game being freed up.

Njoku (illness/knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Njoku was able to handle some reps at practice Thursday, a day after he sat out the Browns' first Week 18 session entirely due to an illness, a knee injury and rest. No major health concerns are expected to prevent Njoku from playing this Sunday against the Bengals, but the Browns could still choose to rest him for all or most of the game in order to preserve his health for the postseason. The Browns are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, and Njoku has proven himself to be one of the team's more important players this season, especially since Joe Flacco took over as Cleveland's starting quarterback. In his five appearances with Flacco under center, Njoku has averaged six receptions, 78 receiving yards and nine targets per game while scoring four touchdowns.

Kelce (neck) remained limited at practice Thursday.

After logging back-to-back capped sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Kelce likely will need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers. That said, with the Chiefs entrenched as the AFC's No. 3 seed in the playoffs, the star tight end profiles as a candidate to be rested this weekend if he's anything less than 100 percent ahead of Week 18 action.