NFL Player News

Schultz (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Schultz didn't practice Wednesday either, making Friday's session an important one in terms of determining the tight end's availability for Sunday's game against the Broncos. If Schultz isn't able to play this weekend, Brevin Jordan and Eric Saubert would be left as the Texans' available tight ends.

Arizona officially waived Ertz (quadricep) on Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Shortly after Ertz's former Cardinals teammate, retired defensive end J.J. Watt, announced via social media that Arizona and the tight end were parting ways, the team confirmed the transaction. The decision makes sense for both parties, as the 2-10 Cardinals are seemingly invested in second-year player Trey McBride as their tight end of the present and future, while the 33-year-old Ertz was eager to join a playoff-contending team that could have a role available for him. Before landing on injured reserve Oct. 24 with a strained quad and missing each of Arizona's last five games, Ertz compiled a 27-187-1 receiving line on 43 targets in seven appearances. Ertz is in the second season of a three-year, $31.65 million contract, so the expectation is that he'll clear waivers before signing elsewhere on a more team-friendly one-year deal.

The Cardinals and Ertz (quadricep) agreed Thursday to mutually part ways, and the team is soon expected to formally waive him, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The news of Ertz requesting a departure from Arizona was first announced via social media by the tight end's former Cardinals teammate, retired defensive end J.J. Watt. With the Cardinals electing to move forward with second-year player Trey McBride as their top tight end, Ertz will be given the chance to find work with a playoff-contending club down the stretch. After making a rapid recovery from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered last November, Ertz recorded 27 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets in Arizona's first seven games before landing on injured reserve Oct. 24 with a strained quad. The 33-year-old is presumably close to full health now following a five-week absence, so he could be ready to contribute right away once he finds a new landing spot. Because he's in the second season of a three-year, $31.65 million deal, Ertz will most likely clear waivers before signing with a club at a more affordable rate.

Deguara (hip) was a limited participant at the Packers' practice Wednesday.

Deguara was unavailable for the team's 29-22 win over the Lions on Thanksgiving due to a hip injury, so his ability to practice in any capacity to open the week is a step in the right direction for his availability Week 13. The tight end will have two more chances to increase his workload prior to Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs.

Vannett (concussion) didn't participate in the Chargers' practice Wednesday.

Vannett remains in the concussion protocol after missing last week's loss to the Ravens. The 30-year-old still needs to clear protocols in order to play versus the Patriots on Sunday.

Dulcich (hamstring) worked off to the side at practice Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Dulcich has been sidelined for nine of the Broncos' 11 games to date due to recurring hamstring issues. Since he's already missed the required four games during his second stint of the season on injured reserve, he's eligible to rejoin the 53-man roster, but the Broncos aren't prepared to activate him this week, according to Tomasson. Dulcich could have visions of playing Week 14 against the Chargers, but the Broncos will first have to clear him to practice to set in motion any return.

Smythe (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Smythe now has two more chances to practice fully ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders. However, with a 18-178-0 receiving line through 10 games this season, the Dolphins' starting tight end doesn't profile as a high-upside fantasy option.

Schultz didn't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.

The tight end wasn't known to be dealing with an injury in Sunday's 24-21 loss to Jacksonville, though the hamstring issue may at least partially explain why Schultz logged just 29 of 60 snaps on offense -- a season-low 48.3 percent share -- in the contest. With an absence from practice to begin Week 13 prep, Schultz's status will need to be monitored Thursday and Friday as fantasy managers look to get a better sense of his availability for this weekend's game against the Broncos. If Schultz is sidelined Sunday, Houston would be left with Brevin Jordan and Eric Saubert as its available tight ends.

Dissly (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Dissly was a full participant during practice Wednesday after he logged a limited session Tuesday, but it wasn't enough for the 27-year-old to avoid carrying a designation into the Week 13 contest. The Seahawks will clarify the tight end's status with the release of their inactive list, which will come out approximately 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

McBride was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

McBride was emerging as one of Arizona's top pass catchers before Kyler Murray returned from his torn ACL in Week 10, and since then, the second-year tight end has combined for 20 catches (on 25 targets) for 234 yards over the last three games. With the groin issue keeping him off the field to begin Week 13 prep, however, McBride's status will be one to monitor closely as Sunday approaches to get a sense of his potential to suit up in Pittsburgh.