NFL Player News

Woods (hamstring) didn't participate in team drills Monday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Woods missed OTAs due to a hamstring injury, and while he said heading into training camp that he anticipated being a full participant, it looks like the tight end is still bothered by the issue. He was dressed for practice, which suggests Woods' return may not be far off, but the third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is missing out on valuable reps as Indianapolis begins sorting out a tight end depth chart that also includes Kylen Granson, Pharaoh Brown and rookie Will Mallory (foot). Woods still has some time to get healthy before the Colts begin preseason play Aug. 12 against the Bills.

Whyle (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Mike Moraitis of USA Today reports.

Whyle had missed time early on in training camp due to an undisclosed injury, but the 2023 fifth-rounder is back in action and now set to compete for slotting in a Tennessee tight end corps that also includes Chigoziem Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco. While Okonkwo profiles as the team's top pass-catching option at the position as the regular season approaches, the 6-foot-7, 248-pound rookie could find himself on the deep league fantasy radar down the road if/when injuries hit.

The Colts removed Mallory (foot) from the active/PUP list Monday morning, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

The fifth-round pick can now join his teammates in practice after missing the first week of training camp. Mallory injured his foot during the offseason program and now faces an uphill battle to earn a Week 1 role for a team with Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Pharaoh Brown at tight end.

Jordan left Sunday's practice early with an undisclosed injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Jordan was spotted limping to the sidelines during Sunday's practice and didn't return, so it appears he's dealing with a lower-body issue. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but if he's forced to miss additional time, Eric Tomlinson and Andrew Beck would presumably get more looks behind Dalton Schultz.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Schultz will "be fine" after leaving Sunday's practice early, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Schultz was examined by trainers following a collision with safety Jimmie Ward and didn't return to Sunday's practice, though he did put his helmet back on after leaving the medical tent and watched the remainder of the session. While Schultz is expected to be good to go moving forward, the statuses of fullback Troy Hairston, who was carted off, and fellow tight end Brevin Jordan, who left practice limping, remain unclear. Schultz signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Texans this offseason and should be a solid security blanket for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Fant (knee) passed his physical Sunday and will be activated off the active/PUP list.

Fant started training camp on the active/PUP list due to a knee injury, but he was sidelined for less than a week and will return to practice soon. Now that he's healthy, the 2019 first-round pick should reprise his role as Seattle's top tight end. Fant caught 50 of 63 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 appearances during his first season with the Seahawks last year.

Njoku had his best day of training camp Saturday, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Poisal reports Njoku making several highlight-reel grabs, including a one-handed reception, catching off-target passes and a contested catch in the end zone. Njoku is expected to be the team's top tight end this season for an offense that likely will be more pass oriented than it was in 2022.

Bryant had his most active day as a receiver in training camp during Saturday's practice, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Bryant's been active every day in camp but was extra involved as a receiver due to Jordan Akins being sidelined by a knee injury. His best effort was a sliding catch for 30 yards during a 7-on-7 drill. Bryant is slated to serve as the team's third tight end if Akins is healthy.

Fortson (shoulder) is not practicing Sunday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Fortson suffered the injury during training camp Friday, and it appears it's still affecting him enough to keep him sidelined. He'll continue working to heal up and take the field for their next practice.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that Akins hasn't been practicing this week to rest his knee, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Akins missed a third straight day of practice Sunday while monitoring a knee injury. The severity of the issue remains unclear, but when healthy, Akins should compete with Harrison Bryant for playing time behind David Njoku. It's never good to miss valuable training camp snaps, but Akins' history with Deshaun Watson should give the tight end some leeway with his new squad.