NFL Player News

Johnson (calf) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

After injuring his calf in pregame warmups and not appearing in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, Johnson has yet to mix into drills during the Saints' first two Week 5 practices. Unless Johnson bucks the trend and is able to return to the field Friday as a limited or full practice participant, he'll likely wind up missing a second straight game this Sunday at New England. Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham would both be in store for expanded roles at tight end if Johnson is sidelined this weekend.

Knox (quadricep) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

With two limited practices in a row to begin Week 5 prep, Knox will likely need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Jaguars. With eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown over four games thus far, Knox's fantasy utility has been modest while he's had to fend of rookie first-round pick Dalton Kincaid for snaps at tight end.

Hendershot (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hendershot was the Cowboys' only practice absentee Thursday as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered last week. The 24-year-old has recorded only one catch for three yards throughout his three appearances this season.

Sullivan (hip) was designated to return from injured reserve by the Panthers on Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Sullivan will now have a 21-day window to return to practice and ultimately be activated off of IR. If he's unable to do so, the tight end will remain sidelined for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

Higbee (thumb) wasn't listed on Wednesday's practice report, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Higbee's reps were managed last week due to a listed Achilles injury, but he was able to handle a typical 94 percent snap share this past Sunday at Indianapolis on his way to gathering in five of 11 targets for 64 yards. Head coach Sean McVay told Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site Monday that Higbee "got his thumb banged up a little bit" in that contest, but the injury wasn't significant to keep the tight end off the field as Los Angeles kicked off Week 5 prep Wednesday. Higbee looks like he'll be ready to roll for this Sunday's game versus the Eagles.

Moreau (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Moreau has missed the last two games while nursing an ankle injury, but he looks like he'll be ready to go for this Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. With Juwan Johnson (calf) unable to practice Wednesday, Moreau could be thrust into a starting role against New England if Johnson is unable to play.

Whyle (ankle) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Whyle exited Sunday's win over the Bengals early, but he's since fully recovered and should be good to go for Week 5 against the Colts. Before the injury, the rookie tight end had seen 18 snaps on offense, a career-high at that point, and saw his first two targets of the season, catching both for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Smith (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Smith made his first practice appearance since suffering the injury Week 2 and appears to have a shot to return for Sunday's game in Arizona. The Bengals used Tanner Hudson as their passing-down tight end the past two weeks, with Mitchell Wilcox and Drew Sample also getting bumps in playing time.

Johnson (calf) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

The Saints announced that Johnson was questionable to return not long after this past Sunday's kickoff against the Buccaneers and later ruled him out entirely after halftime. In the end, he didn't log an offensive snap, and now the calf injury is keeping him out of drills to begin Week 5 prep. With Foster Moreau (ankle) logging a full session Wednesday, the team has two healthy options at tight end (with Jimmy Graham being the other) in the event Johnson has to miss some time.

Alie-Cox was listed as a non-participant Wednesday on the Colts' estimated injury report due to an ankle injury.

Alie-Cox secured his first touchdown of the season in Sunday's 29-23 overtime loss to the Rams, but he may have picked up the ankle injury along the way. He'll likely need to get back on the practice field in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have a shot at playing this weekend against the Titans. Alie-Cox is part of a three-man committee at tight end with Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree, an arrangement that limits the fantasy ceilings of all three players.