Smith (ankle) was present for Thursday's practice after sitting out Wednesday's session, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday's injury report will clarify the tight end's participation level, but his return to the field suggests that he has a chance to suit up this weekend against the Lions. Four games into the 2022 season, Jones has caught seven of his 11 targets for 58 yards while working in a timeshare with Hunter Henry.

Smith was diagnosed Wednesday with a low-ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A high-ankle sprain would have necessitated a longer recovery timeline, but Smith's low-ankle injury looks as though it'll still be enough to keep him on the sideline for one game. He suffered the injury in Sunday's overtime loss to the Packers, playing just 17 snaps before departing. Though Smith has turned in only seven receptions for 58 yards on 11 targets through four games, his absence should at least clear the way for Hunter Henry to absorb a larger share of the snaps and targets available at tight end. New England doesn't currently have another healthy tight end on the roster beyond Henry, so expect the team to add a body to the position group in advance of this weekend's game against Detroit.

Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Packers, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith wasn't targeted before he departed Sunday's matchup, and he'll be unavailable down the stretch due to his ankle issue. It's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return next week against the Lions, but Hunter Henry should see an increased role for New England in Smith's absence.

Smith (ankle) is questionable to return Sunday against the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's exit leaves Hunter Henry as the only healthy tight end for the Patriots. If the former is unable to return, he'll turn his efforts toward being available for Week 5 against the Lions.

Smith was on the field for 32 of a possible 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 37-26 loss to the Ravens, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though out-snapped by Hunter Henry (46), Smith was the more productive of the two tight ends Week 3, catching all four of his targets for 25 yards, while Henry hauled in his only target for eight yards. Looking ahead, Smith continues to profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option, considering he's in a timeshare and that Patriots' starting quarterback Mac Jones appears poised to miss time with an ankle injury.

Smith was on the field for 39 of a possible 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After hauling in three of his four targets for 33 yards in Week 1, Smith was held without a catch (on three targets) Sunday. Fellow tight end Hunter Henry (34 snaps, one target) also went without a catch in the contest. Though both players no doubt will have weeks where they are more involved in the offense, a continuing timeshare with Henry makes Smith a hit-or-miss fantasy option ahead of the team's Week 3 contest against the Ravens.

Smith was on the field for 39 of a possible 57 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Dolphins, en route catching three of his four targets for 33 yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given that the Patriots currently aren't rostering a fullback, the team figures to feature plenty of two-tight end sets this coming season, as evidenced by the fact that Hunter Henry (two catches for 20 yards) logged 44 snaps Week 1. With that in mind, both Smith and Henry should see steady playing time in the weeks ahead, but with a TE timeshare in play, Smith is going to be a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

The Patriots and Smith agreed Friday to convert $7.97 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

New England frees up $5.31 million in salary cap for 2022 with the move. Smith is heading into his second season with the Patriots, and he's primed to once again form a duo at tight end with Hunter Henry. Last season, Henry set the pace at the position with 75 targets as opposed to Smith's 45, but the team could employ more two-TE sets in 2022 now that there isn't a true fullback on the roster.

Smith caught his only target for five yards in the Patriots' 23-6 preseason loss to the Raiders on Friday night.

EDGE Analysis

Smith and fellow tight end Hunter Henry both logged 16 snaps in the team's preseason finale, with New England's depth options seeing extended action. However, once the regular season starts, Henry and Smith are in line to form a 1-2 TE combo for the team. In that context, Smith figures to log a steady share of snaps in 2022, but as long as both players are available, Smith's target volume could be somewhat sporadic.

Smith logged 16 snaps on offense in Friday's 20-10 preseason win over the Panthers, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

EDGE Analysis

Smith, who was listed in the starting lineup along with fellow tight end Devin Asiasi, didn't record a target in the contest during his abbreviated time on the field, but as Week 1 approaches, he's expected to see his share of looks from QB Mac Jones, while being part of a 1-2 TE combo that will also feature Hunter Henry, who sat out Friday's contest with an undisclosed injury. In his first campaign with the Patriots after signing a four-year, $50 million deal last March, Smith finished with 28 catches (on 45 targets) for 294 yards and a touchdown, but Evan Lazard of the Patriots' official site, among others, has noted that the 6-foot-3, 248-pounder has turned in a solid training camp, which could foreshadow something of a bounce-back effort for Smith this coming season.