NFL Player News

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.

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.