NFL Player News

Wesco (shin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

The third-string tight end missed the first two practices of the week before returning on a limited basis Friday. Chigoziem Okonkwo and Josh Whyle are healthy and ahead of Wesco on the depth chart, but his absence could open up some snaps for Kevin Rader.

Whyle (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

The backup tight end was a full participant in practice all week and is now returning from a two-game absence. Whyle's availability should help the Titans with third tight end Trevon Wesco out due to a shin injury. Whyle has nine catches for 94 yards and a touchdown in 11 games this season.

Okonkwo (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Okonkwo carried a questionable tag into the weekend after he was added to the injury report Friday, when he was unable to practice due to the illness. The tight end has apparently made good progress in his recovery since Friday, and the expectation is that he'll be able to handle his usual workload. However, Okonkwo will be working with a new quarterback for the first time since Week 8, as rookie Will Levis (ankle) is inactive for the contest and will give way to veteran Ryan Tannehill.

Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thomas will return from a one-game absence caused by an ankle injury. He logged a full practice session Friday, so he should be able to return to his typical role of splitting reps with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan.

FitzPatrick (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Colts.

FitzPatrick has been a healthy scratch multiple times this season and has almost exclusively been a special teams contributor when active. MyCole Pruitt and Tucker Fisk will operate as the Falcons' depth tight ends behind Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith in Week 16.

Freiermuth wasn't targeted during the Steelers' 34-11 win over the Bengals on Saturday.

Freiermuth was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report, but he logged full practices to close out the week. His snap count remained steady in a matchup in which the Steelers' offense had a strong showing, but quarterback Mason Rudolph didn't target Freiermuth in the victory. Freiermuth had his best performance of the season against the Bengals in Week 12 by securing nine of 11 targets for 120 yards, but he's secured just nine of 16 targets for 63 yards over four games since then.

Washington secured his lone target for eight yards during the Steelers' 34-11 win over the Bengals on Saturday.

Washington's snap count bounced back to 29 offensive snaps Saturday after he played just 13 snaps last week, but his production remained limited, even in a comfortable victory over Cincinnati. He was the team's most productive tight end since Pat Freiermuth was held without a target, but Washington shouldn't be a fantasy-relevant player to close out the season.

Kmet (quadriceps), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to suit up Sunday versus the Cardinals, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kmet hasn't yet missed a game this season, and he's expected to keep his streak intact Week 16 at home against Arizona. Official confirmation of the tight end's status will arrive when Chicago posts its inactive list 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Kmet is averaging seven targets per game across his last seven appearances, and he's on pace to finish out the season with career-high marks across the board.

Everett caught seven of eight targets for 42 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Everett set a new high-water mark for receptions this season after leading the Chargers with seven grabs Saturday. The veteran tight end has now seen eight targets in each of his last three contests, producing averages of 5.7 receptions and 40.7 yards over that span. Everett should continue providing useful PPR numbers when the Chargers visit the Broncos on Dec. 31.

The Patriots elevated Sokol from the practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday night's game against the Broncos, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With Hunter Henry (knee) out against Denver, Sokol gives the Patriots some added depth behind Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown. Sokol has zero career catches in five games.