NFL Player News

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

The Seahawks appear to have rested a number of key skill-position players this week, with all of Fant, Tyler Lockett (hand) and Kenneth Walker (ankle) going from DNPs on Wednesday to some activity one day later. Fant himself sat out two sessions last week with his knee issue before getting in one limited practice to cap it, so he seems to be a step ahead this time around. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not the tight end enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's matchup with the Jets.

Hurst (calf) was a full practice participant Thursday, Andrew Gillis of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The full session to open Week 17 prep sets the stage for Hurst to make his return to the lineup after missing the Bengals' last three games with the calf injury. Assuming he experiences no setbacks as the week rolls along, Hurst should reclaim his role as the Bengals' top tight end, sending Mitchell Wilcox back to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart in the process. In his 12 appearances on the season, Hurst has put together a 48-400-2 receiving line on 63 targets.

Otton (quadriceps) practiced fully Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Otton opened Week 17 prep with a limited session Wednesday due to a quad injury, but it didn't stop him from getting back to all activity one day later. He'll thus continue to serve as Tampa Bay's top receiving tight end Sunday versus the Panthers, which so far has resulted in a 39-369-2 line on 58 targets for the rookie fourth-round pick in 14 games this season.

Sullivan (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, per the team's official site.

After practicing without limitations Wednesday, Sullivan saw his reps capped during Thursday's session due to an ankle issue, ultimately putting his Week 17 availability in jeopardy. He'll have one more shot to ramp back up to full speed Friday, but Tommy Tremble (hip) would presumably be in line for an expanded backup role behind Ian Thomas on Sunday against the Buccaneers should the 26-year-old miss any time.

Parkinson should handle an increased workload moving forward following news that Will Dissly (knee) was placed on injured reserve, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Dissly could become available later in the playoffs if the Seahawks make it, but he won't return during the regular season. Last week, Parkinson handled a season-high 30 offensive snaps and produced three catches (four targets) for 45 yards. The 2020 fourth-round pick could handle an even larger workload in Week 17 versus the Jets as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant (knee).

Knox was a limited participant at practice Thursday due to a hip injury.

Per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com,, Knox is downplaying what he previously described as a "little hip pointer." He sported a red no-contact jersey at Thursday's practice, according to Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard. The tight end now has two more chances to increase his practice activity ahead of Monday's game against the Bengals, but Knox will probably need to practice in full capacity by Saturday in order to avoid carrying an injury designation into the contest.

Tremble (hip) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panther's official site reports.

Tremble has kicked off Week 17 prep with back-to-back capped sessions due to a hip issue, leaving him only one more opportunity to increase his reps before Carolina posts its third and final injury report of the week. If he's able to suit up Sunday in Tampa Bay, he'll continue to split TE reps with Ian Thomas, which has amounted to a 15-139-2 line on 28 targets for Tremble in 15 appearances this season.

Granson (ankle) wasn't present for Thursday's practice and will be listed as a non-participant for the session, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Granson hasn't practiced in any capacity since he apparently picked up an ankle injury in the Colts' Week 15 overtime loss to the Vikings. Unless he can reverse the trend and get back on the field in some fashion Friday, he'll likely sit out a second straight game this weekend against the Giants. If Granson is sidelined Sunday, Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods would split reps at tight end.

Dulcich (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Dulcich didn't practice Wednesday either, which clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. If the 2022 third-rounder -- who logged a 4-39-1 line on eight targets Week 16 versus the Rams -- is unable to play this weekend, added tight end snaps would be available for Eric Saubert, Eric Tomlinson and possibly Albert Okwuegbunam.

Smith (concussion) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Smith has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but if he's out this weekend, then Hunter Henry would be in line for added tight end snaps for the Patriots, assuming he plays through the knee issue that limited him during Wednesday's practice session.