NFL Player News

Quitoriano (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Mark Lane of USA Today reports.

Quitoriano sat out the Texans' Week 17 loss to the Jaguars after hyperextending his knee in the Texans' Week 16 victory over the Titans. His ability to open Week 18 prep as a full practice participant suggests that he'll be ready to play in Sunday's season finale in Indianapolis. Before sustaining the knee injury, Quitoriano had been serving as Houston's starting tight end and saw snap shares north of 70 percent in his last two full games, but he's been only lighting involved in the passing game. Jordan Akins, meanwhile, has drawn multiple targets in eight consecutive contests and looks like the better Houston tight end to roster for fantasy purposes.

Fant (knee) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

For a third week in a row, Fant is operating under practice limitations due to a knee injury. He still suited up for both of the last two games, earning a typical snap share (55 percent Week 16, 63 percent Week 17) on his way to a combined four catches (on six targets) for 52 yards and a touchdown. Fant entered last weekend without a designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, and he could do so again this weekend against the Rams if gets in some practice reps Thursday and/or Friday.

Saubert didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Ellie Kinney of the Broncos' official site reports.

Saubert played 23 offensive snaps and caught all three of his targets for 30 yards in Week 17, but he's sidelined to start Week 18 prep due to a knee injury. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but the backup tight end will have two more chances to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Tomlinson didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Ellie Kinney of the Broncos' official site reports.

Tomlinson played 22 offensive snaps in Week 17 but didn't record any offensive stats. It's unclear when he suffered the ankle injury or how severe the issue is, but he'll have two more chances to practice before Denver needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's season finale against the Chargers.

Smith (concussion) didn't participate in practice Wednesday.

Smith didn't play in the Week 17 win over the Dolphins, and his continued absence from practice clouds his status for this Sunday's game against the Bills. If Smith remains sidelined, Hunter Henry would once again be in line to log added snaps and targets as New England's clear-cut top tight end.

Granson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Granson missed the past two games and isn't likely to be rushed back for a regular-season finale Sunday against the Texans without any playoff implications. Jelani Woods and Mo Alie-Cox have split snaps at tight end while the 2021 fourth-round pick has sat out the last two weeks.

Hill was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a back issue.

The injury is a new one for the versatile 32-year-old, who took a season-high 14 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown in this past Sunday's 20-10 upset win over the Eagles. In Sunday's matchup with the Saints, both teams are expected to adopt a run-heavy approach with Hill serving as the de facto No. 2 option on the ground for New Orleans if he's able to play through the back injury.

Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury.

Since the Saints' Week 14 bye, Johnson has sandwiched 60-plus-yard efforts around a nine-yard Week 16, totaling 10 catches (on 15 targets) for 138 yards and two touchdowns over that three-game stretch. Now with a quad injury in tow, his status will be monitored as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday versus the Panthers.

Mabry was signed to the Seahawks' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Mabry was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets, and he ended up reeling in the first catch of his NFL career, a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The 26-year-old once again will provide an additional depth option behind Noah Fant at tight end in Week 18 with Will Dissly (knee) unavailable for the final contest of the regular season. If Seattle is able to sneak into the postseason, Mabry could find himself a part of the active roster past this weekend.

Thomas caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers.

Thomas was a non-factor in the contest while playing 36 of the Panthers' 66 offensive snaps. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble played two more snaps than Thomas and was more productive, catching all three of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown. In a near-even split of playing time with Tremble, Thomas offers little in the way of fantasy production. The 26-year-old will look to make the most of his limited opportunities on offense in a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.