NFL Player News

Bellinger (rib) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Matt Citak of the Giants' official site reports.

Bellinger exited the Week 14 loss to the Eagles with a rib injury, and the rookie tight end has been limited in practice throughout the week while dealing with soreness. New York didn't get much production from its tight ends when Bellinger was out earlier in the season due to an eye injury, but Nick Vannett, Chris Myarick and Lawrence Cager would all be candidates for more playing time if Bellinger's unable to suit up Sunday.

Hurst (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Hurst, who was unable to practice this week, will thus miss his second straight game, which sets the stage for Mitchell Wilcox to draw another start at tight end for the Bengals this weekend. Hurst will target a potential return to action a week from Saturday versus the Patriots.

Coach Josh McDaniels wouldn't commit either way on potentially activating Waller (hamstring) for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Waller was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, but the Raiders are under no obligation to bring the tight end back this week, as the team has a three-week window in which to evaluate and eventually clear him to play. McDaniels wants to see how Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (oblique) hold up in practice Friday before making a decision on either pass catcher. If Waller is activated for his first action since Week 5, he would have plenty of upside against a Patriots defense that's allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends this season. Should Waller remain sidelined, Foster Moreau presumably would draw another start.

Hurst (calf) isn't participating in the portion of Friday's practice that's open to the media, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The 29-year-old sat out last week's win over the Browns with the calf injury, and he hasn't participated at practice this week. Hurst is trending toward a doubtful or out designation for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, so Mitchell Wilcox is likely to receive another start.

Fant brought in five of six targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks' 21-13 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

The first-year Seahawk atoned for a blank stat sheet in Week 14 against the Panthers by checking in second in receptions and targets on the night. Fant also recorded his third touchdown of the campaign on a 10-yard grab with just under four minutes remaining that made it a one-possession game. The 25-year-old will head into a critical Week 16 road matchup versus the Chiefs a week from Saturday with multiple receptions in six of the last seven games and touchdowns in two of the last three.

Kittle secured four of five targets for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 21-13 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night.

Kittle paced the 49ers' pass-catching corps in receiving yardage and touchdowns, recording 28- and 54-yard scoring grabs in the first and third quarters, respectively. The versatile tight end displayed his athleticism on the second one in particular, eluding several Seahawks defenders on the way to the end zone. Kittle's pair of end-zone trips snapped a three-game touchdown drought and a streak of sub-30-yard tallies of that same length as well. With this breakout effort under his belt, Kittle heads into a Week 16 home matchup versus the Commanders a week from Saturday with plenty of momentum.

Trautman (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Both Trautman and Juwan Johnson (ankle) are operating under practice limitations this week, giving them one more chance to get back to all activity before the Saints potentially hand them a designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Trautman hasn't been targeted more than three times in a contest this season, even when Johnson was out Week 13 at Tampa Bay, so another absence from the latter wouldn't necessarily benefit the former, if he's active this weekend.

Johnson (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Prior to the Saints' last game Week 13 against the Buccaneers, Johnson didn't practice at all before he was ruled out on the final injury report. After a Week 14 bye, he's put together back-to-back limited listings, which also can be said for fellow tight end Adam Trautman (ankle). The team's final report of the week Friday may provide some clarity regarding who among the duo has a chance to play Sunday versus the Falcons.

Smythe (quadriceps/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game in Buffalo after practicing fully Thursday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Despite appearing on the Dolphins' Week 15 injury report with two different issues, Smythe still managed to practice in some capacity Tuesday through Thursday. He should be ready to handle his usual role Sunday as the Dolphins' top tight end, with his blocking prowess going a long way toward him dwarfing Mike Gesicki's snap counts over the past two games. Though he's cleared a 60 percent snap share on both of those occasions while Gesicki has been held under 40 percent both times, Smythe has produced only two receptions for 21 yards between those contests.

Wesco (calf) was listed as a non-participant on the Bears' injury report Thursday.

Wesco was forced out early with a calf injury and did not return during Week 13's loss to Green Bay. The tight end has now remained sidelined following Chicago's Week 14 bye, so he could be in jeopardy of missing his first game since the season opener against San Francisco. Wesco has caught two of four targets for 26 yards over 12 games while serving as Chicago's No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet, so his potential absence would leave Ryan Griffin to step up into a slightly bigger role Sunday against Philadelphia.