NFL Player News

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday that he feels "pretty good" that Bell (hip) will be activated from IR ahead of Saturday's game against the Seahawks, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Bell was placed on IR after undergoing surgery to address a hip flexor injury in late August. The 31-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, and it appears he could be ready to suit up again at the earliest possible opportunity Week 16. Bell caught nine passes for 87 yards over 16 regular-season games last season, With Jody Fortson (elbow) already ruled out against Seattle, Bell could immediately step back in as the Chiefs' No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.

Fant (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest at Kansas City, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Fant didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday before Seattle handed him a designation for Week 16 action, the result of a knee issue. For the season, he's handled at least 50 percent of the snaps in all 14 games, with a modest 42-414-3 line on 53 targets to show for his efforts in his first year with the team. If Saturday reveals Fant to be inactive for the first time on the campaign, Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson will handle tight end reps for the Seahawks.

Wesco (calf) is listed as out for Saturday's game versus Buffalo.

Wesco will miss his second consecutive game as he works to recover from a calf injury he sustained in Week 13 versus Green Bay. In his absence, Ryan Griffin should see more snaps as a blocker.

The Saints list Trautman (ankle) as questionable for Saturday's game at Cleveland, Terrin Waack of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Trautman was listed as a limited participant on practice reports issued Tuesday through Thursday, with his lack of full participation presumably standing in the way of him entering the weekend minus an injury designation. If he ends up active for the Week 16 contest, Trautman will be the Saints' No. 2 option at tight end behind Juwan Johnson, but there could be an uptick in targets headed in both players' direction while New Orleans is without two of its starting receivers in Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (ankle).

Njoku (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Saints after logging a full practice listing Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku's practice reps were limited Tuesday and Wednesday, but the tight end's return to a full session Thursday has him ready to go for Saturday's contest. Through 11 games to date, Njoku has recorded a 51/551/3 stat line on 67 targets, a pace that keeps the 2017 first-rounder on the fantasy lineup radar this weekend while facing a New Orleans defense that has allowed an average of 195.1 passing yards thus far.

Vannett (shoulder) was not listed with a game status ahead of Saturday's tilt against the Vikings.

Vannett popped up with a shoulder injury on Tuesday's injury report, though it's unclear when or how this issue first arose. However, the 29-year-old should be ready to suit up again despite remaining limited in each practice ahead of Saturday's game versus Minnesota. Vannett has caught two of his three targets for 24 yards over the past two games, and he should continue to serve as the Giants' No. 2 tight end behind Daniel Bellinger.

Thomas (thigh) was a full participant during practice Thursday and does not carry an injury designation ahead of Saturday versus Detroit.

Thomas popped up with a thigh injury and logged back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 16 prep. However, the 26-year-old is still in line to play his 14th game in a row this season. Thomas has caught 19 passes on 26 targets for 176 yards in 2022, and he should reprise his role as the Panthers' No. 2 tight end Tommy Tremble.

Hurst (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots after practicing in a limited fashion this week.

Ben Baby of ESPN.com previously noted that the tight end feels ready to return to action Saturday, but Hurst's status won't be confirmed until the Bengals' inactive lis is posted 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Hurst ends up out or limited this weekend, Mitchell Wilcox would be in line to see added snaps versus New England.

Fant (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Fant sat out Tuesday's walk-through session and now has gone down as a non-participant for a second straight day. With one session to go in Week 16 prep, his listing Thursday may be telling with regard to his ability to suit up Saturday in Kansas City. If Fant is limited or sidelined this weekend, Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson will serve as the Seahawks' tight ends.

Hurst (calf) was a limited practice participant Wednesday and said he's preparing to play Saturday against the Patriots, ESPN.com's Ben Baby reports.

Hurst missed the past two games after injuring his calf in a Week 13 win over the Chiefs on Dec. 4. Mitchell Wilcox played 79 and 91 percent of snaps with Hurst out, catching four of five targets for 44 yards and a touchdown across the two games. After back-to-back days being listed as limited, Hurst will have one more chance Thursday to upgrade to full participation before Saturday's game.