NFL Player News

Pitts missed Friday's practice for personal reasons but doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Pitts is temporarily away from the team for the birth of his son. It won't impact his availability for Sunday, and if he scores his second TD of the season it's a safe bet the celebration will include some reference to the newborn baby.

Kmet brought in five of seven targets for 45 yards and rushed once for one yard in the Bears' 16-13 win over the Panthers on Thursday night.

Four days after posting a two-touchdown tally in Week 9, Kmet didn't turn in quite as productive a performance but still tied DJ Moore for the team lead in receptions while checking in second in both receiving yards and targets. Kmet now has at least five catches in three consecutive contests and seemingly has a good chance of getting Justin Fields (thumb) back as his quarterback for a Week 11 divisional road showdown against the Lions on Nov. 19.

Parkinson (biceps) was a limited participant in practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The tight end will try to get another practice in Friday so he can play Sunday against the Commanders. Parkinson has been sharing snaps with Noah Fant and Will Dissly in the past four games. The fourth-year pro has 12 catches for 138 yards this season.

Njoku (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

It puts Njoku on track to play Sunday against the Ravens. Njoku has been on a bit of a heater of late, scoring a touchdown in back-to-back games after going scoreless over the first six contests.

Ogletree (foot) won't play in Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Ogletree will have to sit out at least one game as he recovers from the foot injury he sustained in Week 9 at Carolina. Mo Alie-Cox will likely see an uptick in snaps in Ogletree's absence.

Hockenson (ribs) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Hockenson continues to operate with a cap on his practice reps as the Vikings navigate their way through Week 10 prep. A rib issue is to blame, but Hockenson told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com on Thursday, "That's the plan," when asked about his chances to play Sunday against the Saints. That comment echoed one from coach Kevin O'Connell on Monday, but Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Hockenson enters the weekend with an injury designation.

Coach Sean Payton said Thursday that the Broncos expect Dulcich (hamstring) to return this season, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Dulcich has been seeing multiple specialists about his chronic hamstring issues that have caused him to miss 13 of a possible 25 games in two seasons as a pro. Currently on injured reserve, Dulcich is eligible to return in Week 12 against the Browns. Adam Trautman will continue to handle tight end duties in his absence.

The Bears elevated Carlson to their active roster ahead of Thursday night's game against the Panthers, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

Carlson has spent the majority of this year on the Bears' practice squad, and his last in-game action came back in 2020 with the Browns. The 26-year-old tight end has appeared in 25 games throughout his two-year NFL career, recording 62 receiving yards and primarily playing on special teams.

Njoku (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku was DNP Wednesday and has missed multiple practices with various ailments this season. He's still managed to start all eight games and has now scored touchdowns in back-to-back games headed into Sunday's Week 10 date with the division-rival Ravens. Njoku is averaging 7.7 targets per game over his last three outings.

Jordan (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 23-year-old tight end missed his second consecutive practice Thursday, and it seems increasingly likely that he'll be out for the second game in a row this Sunday. Jordan has seen a limited role in Houston's offense through six appearances this season, recording 51 yards on only five receptions.