NFL Player News

Coach Dan Campbell said that LaPorta (calf) took part in Friday's walk-through practice and that his status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers is uncertain, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Campbell also clarified that LaPorta is dealing with a calf strain. The rookie tight end will be tagged with an official game designation when Friday's injury report is released, but at this point it looks likely that he's destined for 'questionable' status. LaPorta didn't show up on Wednesday's injury report before being sidelined Thursday, so his calf strain may have been sustained during practice. No. 2 tight end Brock Wright would likely start versus Tampa Bay if LaPorta were to miss time, especially with James Mitchell (hamstring) also nicked up.

Kelce (ankle) secured all nine targets for 124 yards in the Chiefs' 19-8 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.

As expected, Kelce fought through an ankle issue after also having done so in the second half of the Chiefs' Week 5 win over the Vikings on Sunday. In the process, the perennial All-Pro led the team in receptions, receiving yards and targets with game-high figures. Kelce left no doubt about his readiness early on Kansas City's first possession, recording five-and six-yard gains on Patrick Mahomes' first two pass attempts. Kelce's yardage figure was also a season high, and he'll now have extra time to recover ahead of a Week 7 home divisional clash against the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Dulcich is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Chiefs due to a hamstring injury, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Dulcich returned from a four-game absence Thursday, caused by a hamstring injury. He apparently aggravated the issue in the second half of Thursday's game and could be looking at additional missed time. Prior to his exit, he managed one catch for three yards.

Dulcich (hamstring) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Chiefs.

The Broncos officially activated Dulcich from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's contest, and he'll make his first game appearance since Week 1, when he logged 21 snaps and caught both of his targets for 22 yards. In his return to action versus Kansas City, Dulcich figures to work in tandem with fellow TE Adam Trautman, but as the season progresses the 2022 third-rounder's pass-catching ability should give him a degree of fantasy utility on a weekly basis.

Kelce (ankle) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Broncos.

The Chiefs' star tight end played through a low right-ankle sprain this past Sunday against the Vikings en route to recording a 10-67-1 receiving line, and he'll continue to play through the issue versus Denver with his ankle heavily taped, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. In the absence of any in-game limitations or setbacks, Kelce -- who has caught 27 of his 37 targets for 222 yards and three TDs in four games to date -- should continue to maintain his key role in Kansas City's offense, with Noah Gray and Blake Bell available to handle complementary TE snaps for the team.

Parham (wrist) was listed as a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Parham sprained his right wrist in the Chargers' Week 4 win over the Raiders before Los Angeles went on bye Week 5. The week off has given Parham some extra time to heal, but he's not yet been given the green light to play Monday against the Cowboys. Assuming he's able to put in a full practice Friday or Saturday, Parham should have a good chance at being available Monday. Parham frequently shares the field with starting tight end Gerald Everett, and though Parham has just six catches through four games, three have gone for touchdowns.

Mitchell (hamstring) did not participate at practice Thursday.

After sitting out of Sunday's game versus Carolina, Mitchell has opened the new week by failing to practice Wednesday or Thursday. Starter Sam LaPorta (calf) was added to the injury report after also missing practice Thursday, which means Brock Wright and Darrell Daniels are the Lions' only certainties for the moment at tight end ahead of Week 6.

Denver reinstated Dulcich (hamstring) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the Chiefs, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

As a result of the transaction, Dulcich is eligible to play against the Chiefs, but the Broncos listed the tight end as questionable for the contest after he was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday walk-through session. Official confirmation of Dulcich's status is thus slated to arrive once the team's inactive list is posted 90 minutes in advance of Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If active, Dulcich could be part of a timeshare at tight end with Adam Trautman.

Smith (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.

One day removed from having practice limitations due to an ankle injury, Smith was able to return to all activity Thursday, setting him up to be available to Atlanta's offense Sunday against the Commanders. He'll thus continue to be a regular in a unit that also includes TE Kyle Pitts, WR Drake London and RBs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Sullivan (hip) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Sullivan was designated for return from injured reserve last week and turned in a pair of limited practices as well as a full session, but he wasn't activated ahead of the Panthers' eventual 42-24 loss to the Lions. With one limited and one full practice already under his belt to begin Week 6 prep, Sullivan may have a better chance of making his 2023 debut Sunday at Miami if he can turn in another full practice Friday. Whenever he's activated, Sullivan will be limited to a depth role at tight end and may end up seeing most of his snaps on special teams.