NFL Player News

Hockenson (foot) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Hockenson is managing a foot issue that he sustained in the fourth quarter of Monday's 22-17 win against the 49ers. After sitting out Wednesday's session entirely, he appeared to be moving around OK during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Hockenson has one more chance this week to prove his health before the Vikings potentially hand him a designation for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Henry (ankle) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Henry was also limited Wednesday, so unless he practices fully Friday, the tight end will likely approach Sunday's game against the Dolphins with an injury designation. If he's active this weekend, Henry would continue to work in a timeshare at tight end with Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown. Through seven appearances on the season, Henry has hauled in 20 of his 31 targets for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson (calf) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Johnson has missed the last four games due to a lingering calf injury, but he now has strung together back-to-back capped sessions to begin Week 8 prep. There's an expectation from coach Dennis Allen that Johnson will return Sunday at Indianapolis, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. That said, Johnson may have to log a full practice Friday in order to avoid a designation for that contest. Fellow TE options Taysom Hill (chest) and Jimmy Graham (illness) also were limited Thursday, leaving the position in some flux for the Saints.

Waller (hamstring) logged a limited practice Thursday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

With another capped session under his belt this week, Waller has just one more chance to prove the health of his hamstring before the Giants potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game versus the Jets. If Waller is able to suit up, he likely will be on the receiving end of passes from Tyrod Taylor due to Daniel Jones (neck) not yet being cleared for contact. In two contests working with Taylor, Waller has hauled in 12 of 15 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown over those two games.

Njoku (knee) was on the field Thursday for the media-access portion of practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku sat out the Browns' first Week 8 practice Wednesday, but by getting back on the field Thursday, he's put himself in good position to be available for Sunday's game at Seattle. The Browns will reveal whether Njoku was a limited or full participant in his return to practice when the team releases its second injury report of the week later Thursday.

Whyle (concussion) did not practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 24-year-old tight end out of Cincinnati recorded his second consecutive DNP at Thursday's practice, which increases the likelihood that he'll carry an injury designation into the weekend. Whyle has appeared in six games for the Titans this season, catching all four of his targets for 44 yards and one touchdown.

Everett (hip) is participating in practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Everett missed Wednesday's session, but his return to field Thursday gives the tight end a chance to suit up Sunday against the Bears. The Chargers' second Week 8 injury report will be released later Thursday and will reveal whether Everett was a limited or full participant.

Musgrave (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Musgrave injured his left ankle in the later moments of this past Sunday's loss at Denver and was spotted in a walking boot after the game. While he has yet to mix into drills this week, he ditched the boot as of Thursday and also worked with trainers on the side, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. Friday's practice likely will be key to determining whether or not Musgrave has a chance to suit up Sunday against the Vikings.

Granson (concussion) isn't practicing Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Granson also missed Wednesday's session, which sets the stage for Friday's practice to loom large with regard to the tight end's chances of playing Sunday against the Saints. He didn't practice at all last week before being made inactive for the Colts' Week 7 loss to the Browns.

Knox, who underwent wrist surgery earlier this week, is expected to be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bills have already ruled Knox out for Thursday's matchup with the Buccaneers, but if he's officially moved to IR before the Week 8 game, the tight end would miss an additional three contests beyond that. In Knox's looming absence, rookie first-round pick Dalton Kincaid should see expanded opportunities in the coming weeks, with Quintin Morris likely to settle in as the No. 2 tight end once he returns from an ankle injury that will keep him out Thursday.