NFL Player News

Johnson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a quadricep injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Johnson previously sat out Weeks 4 through 7 due to a calf issue, but it's unclear if the current health concern may affect his availability for Sunday's game against the Panthers. His snap share, when available, has been fairly consistent, ranging from 57 to 81 percent. However, Johnson has managed a modest 18-142-1 receiving line on 32 targets in his eight appearances this season.

Knox (wrist) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Knox hit the ground running in his return to practice after being designated for return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday. His full participation suggests Knox has a chance to return as soon as Sunday's game in Kansas City, though he would first have to be officially activated from IR no later than Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Rookie first-round pick Dalton Kincaid has excelled in Knox's absence, and Kincaid will likely remain the top pass catcher among Buffalo's tight ends whenever Knox is cleared for game action.

Hurst (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Hurst so far has sat out three games due to a concussion, but he was spotted in a red non-contact jersey in his return to practice Wednesday. His return to the field represents a sign of progress in his quest through the five-step concussion protocol, and he'll have two more chances to practice this week and potentially get closer to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. Fellow tight ends Tommy Tremble (hip) and Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) also were limited participants to begin Week 14 prep, leaving just Ian Thomas as the Panthers' healthy option at the position on the active roster.

Whyle (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Whyle exited Sunday's loss to the Colts with the right knee injury, which clouds his status for this Monday's game in Miami. The rookie has drawn at least one target in each of his last eight appearances, compiling a 9-94-1 receiving line over that stretch.

Higgins gathered in one of his two targets for a 21-yard reception while playing 22 of the Cardinals' 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Steelers.

After being inactive for the Cardinals' first six games of the season, Higgins has suited up for each of the subsequent seven games and is beginning to carve out a tertiary role in the Arizona passing attack. Though second-year tight end Trey McBride is the clear top option on the depth chart, Higgins may be threatening Geoff Swaim for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Higgins has now drawn two targets in two consecutive games, and the 32-percent snap share he handled Sunday was a season-high rate.

Schoonmaker played 25 of the Cowboys' 89 snaps on offense and recorded one reception for 12 yards on one target in Thursday's 41-35 win over the Seahawks.

Schoonmaker drew a target for the sixth consecutive game and has cobbled together a 6-60-1 receiving line during that stretch. The rookie out of Michigan has been operating as the Cowboys' No. 2 tight end behind starter Jake Ferguson for most of the season, though Schoonmaker's standing on the depth chart could be affected by the return of Peyton Hendershot (ankle), who was activated from injured reserve Wednesday.

Schultz (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Schultz didn't practice last week and was inactive for Sunday's win over the Broncos. His return to the field Wednesday suggests he has a chance to make it back in action for a matchup with the Jets this Sunday.

The Cowboys will place McKeon on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

McKeon had suited up in each of the Cowboys' previous nine games, drawing two catchless targets across 94 snaps on offense while also contributing on the team's special-teams units. Though the 25-year-old wasn't reported to be dealing with an injury coming out of this past Thursday's win over the Seahawks, he'll now miss at least four games after landing on IR. The Cowboys activated fellow tight end Peyton Hendershot (ankle) from IR in a corresponding move.

Woerner played 12 of the 49ers' 59 snaps on offense and went without a target in Sunday's 42-19 win over the Eagles.

Though he's suited up for all 12 of the 49ers' games to date and has picked up double-digit snaps on offense in all but three of those contests, Woerner has just one target (for a nine-yard reception) to his name on the season. He's been deployed almost exclusively as a blocker whenever he's taken the field, running just 38 routes across 194 snaps on offense.

Hurst (concussion) is practicing Wednesday in a red non-contact jersey, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Hurst is progressing through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol but will likely need to take part in at least one full-contact practice Thursday or Friday to have a chance to play Sunday against the Saints. He has missed the last three games due to the concussion, and Carolina has gotten minimal production in Hurst's absence from its other tight ends (Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan).