NFL Player News

Fant (knee) was limited in practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Fant may be following the same practice regimen as last week, when he was a DNP on Wednesday before capping it with back-to-back limited sessions. In that scenario, he didn't carry a designation into this past Sunday's game against the Jets, when he hauled in two of three targets for 40 yards. Ultimately, Friday's injury report will reveal if Fant is cleared ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Rams.

Deguara did not participate during the Packers' practice Thursday due to a calf injury.

Deguara popped up on Green Bay's injury report with this issue for the first time Thursday. The 25-year-old was seen working on a stationary bike and stretching during Thursday's session, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site, so it appears he may have picked up the injury at some point during practice Wednesday. Deguara has recorded 13 catches on 15 targets for 114 yards, and his biggest contributions have come as a blocker and core special-teamer. He'll have one opportunity to increase his practice activity Friday, or else he could be in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season during Sunday's crucial regular-season finale against the Lions.

Smith (concussion) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Smith -- who was inactive Week 17 -- didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to Thursday's session suggests that the tight end could be available Sunday against the Bills. Friday's final injury report will provide added context with regard to Smith's availability for the contest.

Hill (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Hill maintained limited activity in practice for the second straight day, but Saints head coach Dennis Allen hasn't yet indicated that the versatile 32-year-old is a candidate to sit out Sunday's season finale against the Panthers. Before the Saints decide whether to give Hill an injury designation for the weekend, they will see what he can do at Friday's practice. If he suits up for the season finale, Hill will essentially serve as the Saints' backup running back behind Alvin Kamara. Despite being listed as tight end, Hill took a season-high 14 carries in last week's upset win over the Eagles.

Johnson (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Johnson sat out Wednesday's session due to the quad issue that he apparently picked up coming out of this past Sunday's upset win over the Eagles, during which the tight end recorded five receptions for 62 yards on seven targets. Though the Saints don't have much to play for Week 18, Johnson's return to practice Thursday -- albeit in a limited fashion -- suggests he's aiming to play this weekend against the Panthers. New Orleans will release its final Week 18 injury report later Friday, when it'll be known whether Johnson approaches the season finale with or without an injury designation.

The Bills list Knox (hip) as a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

After being listed a full participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Knox took a step back in terms of activity while the Bills reconvened for a more traditional workout Thursday. At this stage, the team hasn't indicated that Knox's hip issue is anything that seriously threatens his status for Sunday's game against the Patriots, but his availability for that contest won't be confirmed until Buffalo releases its final Week 18 injury report Friday.

Tomlinson (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Tomlinson has now opened Week 18 prep with back-to-back DNP designations on Denver's injury report as a result of an ankle issue. The veteran tight end still has Friday's session to ramp back up to limited/full speed, but Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Saubert (knee) and Andrew Beck (elbow) would all be in line for additional reps this weekend against the Chargers if Tomlinson is eventually unable to receive the green light.

Saubert (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

For the second consecutive day, Saubert was held out of Week 18 prep as a result of the knee injury he presumably sustained in last weekend's loss to the Chiefs. He'll have one more chance to practice in any capacity Friday before Denver would be forced to tag Saubert with an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Smith (concussion) was present for practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Smith didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field Thursday suggests that the tight end has a chance to return to action in Sunday's scheduled game against the Bills. The Patriots' upcoming injury report will clarify Smith's official participation level.

Kieft logged 22 snaps on offense in the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17 but failed to bring in his only target.

The rookie once again served primarily in a blocking role, and despite the fact Cameron Brate was a healthy scratch, Kieft was an afterthought as a receiver. After a seven-game stretch between Weeks 7 and 14 when he caught one pass apiece in six contests, Kieft has only logged Sunday's lone target over the last three games.