NFL Player News

Thomas (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Miami.

Thomas has played in all five of Carolina's games so far this season and was not listed on the injury report Wednesday or Thursday, but after presumably sustaining a calf injury during practice, his availability for Sunday is now in jeopardy. Tommy Tremble would likely be in line for more snaps if Thomas is forced to sit out.

Knox (wrist) practiced on a limited basis for the third straight day Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid (concussion) is also listed as questionable after following the same practice schedule as Knox this week. The ball gets spread around too much in the Buffalo offense to the point that either Knox or Kincaid take on reliable volume in the passing game, but that would change if one plays and the other sits, especially against a vulnerable defense like the Giants'.

Kincaid (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Buffalo's top two tight ends will take questionable tags into Sunday, as both Kincaid and Dawson Knox (wrist) weren't able to advance beyond limited participation in practice this week. While Knox could still play despite not practicing fully, Kincaid will need clearance from an independent neurologist ahead of Sunday's contest in order to exit concussion protocol and receive the green light to suit up. Beyond Knox and Kincaid, the Bills have Quintin Morris as the only other tight end on the 53-man active roster, though Joel Wilson could be elevated from the practice squad if additional depth is needed at the position this week.

Ricci (shoulder) is listed as out for Sunday's game at Miami.

Ricci presumably aggravated a lingering shoulder injury at practice during the week, missing practice Thursday and Friday after not being listed on the injury report Wednesday. The lion's share of his contributions through five games this season have come on special teams, so Carolina will have to try to find a way to replace his production in that phase.

Sullivan (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at the Dolphins.

Since being designated to return from Carolina's injured reserve list last week, Sullivan has managed three limited practices and two full practices, a promising sign he could suit up for Week 6. If active, he figures to step into a depth role at tight end while contributing primarily on special teams.

Njoku (face/hand) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku, who suffered burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident last week, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he was able to re-take the field Friday. With that, it appears as though the tight end is now trending in the right direction, with Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram relaying that coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Friday that he's feeling good about Njoku being available Sunday.

LaPorta (calf) returned to practice Friday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

He'll likely be a limited participant, one day after being added to the injury report as a non-participant due to a calf strain. The quick return, even if he's limited, suggests LaPorta is unlikely to be ruled out on the final injury report Friday, with a 'questionable' designation the probable outcome at this point. It is possible that changes if he doesn't look good at practice or deals with significant pain/discomfort afterward.

Njoku (hand) is participating in practice Friday and is expected to be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku is practicing for the first time this week after suffering burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident last week. Cabot previously reported that the tight end is trending in the wrong direction for Week 6, but he hasn't yet been ruled out to take on San Francisco. In the event that Njoku is ultimately sidelined, though, Jordan Akins and Harrison Bryant will stand to work as Cleveland's top tight ends.

Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer notes that Njoku (face/hand) is trending toward missing Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Njoku, who suffered burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident last week, didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and it appears as though the tight end is in line to be sidelined in Week 6. Njoku's status will be officially clarified once the Browns' Friday injury report is posted, but if he is unavailable this weekend, Jordan Akins and Harrison Bryant would be next up for Cleveland's TE reps versus San Francisco.

Kincaid remains in the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Friday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

That said, coach Sean McDermott noted that Kincaid is in line to practice in some capacity Friday. However, unless the tight end gains medical clearance in short order, it looks like he'll head into the weekend with an injury designation for Sunday night's game against the Giants.