NFL Player News

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.

LaPorta didn't practice Thursday due to a calf injury.

After not showing up on the Lions' initial injury report of Week 6 prep Wednesday, LaPorta wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's session, per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. The reason for the rookie tight end's absence now is known, and it remains to be seen if it'll impact his availability for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay. Friday's report will relay whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation, but reserve TE Brock Wright would stand to benefit if LaPorta is limited or sidelined.

Kelce (ankle) is expected to play Thursday against the Broncos, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Per Schefter, Kelce -- who remains listed as questionable for the contest -- is expected to play with his right ankle heavily taped. Official confirmation of the star tight end's status for Thursday's contest will arrive when the Chiefs post their inactive list approximately 90 minutes ahead of the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Alie-Cox (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Alie-Cox suffered a concussion during the Colts' Week 5 win over the Titans, and he went from no participation in Wednesday's practice to limited work Thursday. The 30-year-old tight end seems to be trending in the right direction to play in this coming Sunday against Jacksonville, but he'll still have to clear the league's five-step protocol before he's cleared to take the field.