NFL Player News

Kmet was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a quadricep injury.

Kmet wasn't listed Wednesday on the Bears' initial Week 16 injury report, so his limited participation Thursday could be indicative of a setback that occurred during practice. If Kmet is able to get back on the field in some capacity Friday, it would alleviate some of the concern about his status heading into Sunday's game against Arizona.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thomas has now practiced for the second consecutive day after missing Carolina's Week 15 win over the Falcons with an ankle issue. The veteran tight end will almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend unless he's able to record a full practice session Friday. Thomas' availability will be something to look out for as the week progresses, as Carolina could be without both Tommy Tremble (illness) and Hayden Hurst (concussion) in Week 16.

Tremble (illness) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Tremble sat out Week 13 due to a hip injury, and while the issue followed him into Weeks 14 and 15, he was able to play through it in those contests. This week, his practice reps are being impacted by an illness, so his status will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers. As for the Panthers' other tight ends on the active roster, Ian Thomas (ankle) again was limited Thursday, while Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) was a full participant.

Henry (knee) was present for practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Per Lazar, Henry -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- didn't appear to be doing much during the portion of the session that was open to the media. The Patriots will release their second Week 16 injury report later Thursday, when the extent of the tight end's participation will be known.

The Packers designated Musgrave (kidney) for return from injured reserve Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Musgrave has been sidelined since lacerating his kidney during a Week 11 win against the Chargers. He displayed progress in his recovery when he joined the Packers' injury rehab group last Thursday, and while he won't participate in practice this Thursday, he was a part of the team stretch prior to the session. According to Ryan Wood of USA Today, head coach Matt LaFleur is "cautiously optimistic" about Musgrave's chances of playing again this season after the tight end was "running and catching some balls with the trainers" Thursday, but the rookie isn't a candidate to play Sunday in Carolina, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Fellow rookie Tucker Kraft should thus be in store for another start at tight end this weekend, though Musgrave could be back in the lineup as soon as Week 17 versus the Vikings.

Smythe was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Smythe, who caught all four of his targets for 32 yards in a 30-0 win over the Jets in Week 15, has been dealing with an ankle injury since early November. He hasn't missed any of the Dolphins' last four games, however, and his ability to begin Week 16 prep on the field in some capacity bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Cowboys.

The Cardinals signed Shenker to their practice squad Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Shenker had a couple stints on Las Vegas' practice squad early in the campaign, but he's been without a team since late October. Arizona placed Geoff Swaim (calf) on IR on Wednesday, so Shenker was brought aboard to serve as organizational tight-end depth. The undrafted rookie has yet to log an NFL snap.

The Cardinals signed Vokolek to their active roster Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Vokolek has spent the campaign on Baltimore's practice squad, and he's yet to log an NFL snap. The undrafted rookie out of Nebraska will nonetheless join Arizona's active roster with the team moving Geoff Swaim (calf) to injured reserve Wednesday. Vokolek isn't likely to see many offensive opportunities given Trey McBride's recent emergence as one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends.

Whyle (knee) was a full participant at the Titans' practice Wednesday.

Whyle missed the team's last two contests due to a knee injury, but he now appears to be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks. The tight end has caught nine passes for 94 yards and a touchdown over 11 games in 2023.

The Cardinals placed Swaim (calf) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Swaim suffered a calf injury in the first half of Sunday's 45-29 loss to San Francisco and wasn't able to return. With Arizona out of playoff contention, the tight end's placement on IR means his season is over. Swaim finishes the campaign with 10 catches on 11 targets for 94 yards and no touchdowns.