NFL Player News

Knox (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Knox joined quarterback Josh Allen (ankle/elbow) as a limited participant at Thursday's practice, but both players took every rep at Friday's session to remove any lingering doubt about their statuses for the regular-season finale. Though he's noticed some regression in his touchdown count after finding the end zone a career-high nine times in 2021, Knox has more or less matched his receiving output from the previous season. He enters Sunday's game holding season-long averages of 3.3 catches, 36 yards and 4.5 targets per contest, roughly in line with his averages from 2021 (3.3, 39.1 and 4.7).

The Vikings plan to activate Smith (ankle) from injured reserve before Sunday's game against Chicago, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Smith will return as the team's No. 2 tight end, behind trade-deadline addition T.J. Hockenson, with the talented duo potentially inspiring head coach Kevin O'Connell to use more two-tight end sets and fewer looks with three wide receivers and/or fullback C.J. Ham. However it plays out, Smith was designated to return from IR last week and apparently will make it back for the final game of the regular season as a tuneup for the playoffs.

Woods is expected to draw a third consecutive start Sunday against the Texans with Kylen Granson (ankle) ruled out for the season finale.

Woods technically started in Week 16 and Week 17 losses to the Chargers and Giants, respectively, but he narrowly outpaced fellow tight end Mo Alie-Cox in playing time. Woods logged snap shares of 64 and 61 percent in those two contests, while Alie-Cox registered 44 and 54 percent shares. However, Woods was the more productive receiver of the two; he recorded six catches for 62 yards on nine targets during that span, while Alie-Cox was targeted just three times.

Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said Granson (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game against the Texans, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Granson will close out the season with a third consecutive absence, paving the way for Jelani Woods and Mo Alie-Cox to split the bulk of the reps at tight end. A 2021 fourth-round pick out of SMU, Granson amassed 31 receptions for 302 yards and no touchdowns on 40 targets over 13 appearances during his sophomore season.

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.