NFL Player News

Fumagalli signed a practice-squad contract with the 49ers on Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Fumagalli failed to secure a spot on San Francisco's final 53-man roster after joining the team on a one-year deal in May. The 27-year-old missed the entirety of the 2021 season while on New England's IR with an undisclosed injury, and he recorded 14 career receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns over 19 regular-season games with Denver from 2019 to 2020. Fumagalli should now have a chance to earn a reserve role with a tight-end-needy team while working on the 49ers' practice squad.

McKitty (undisclosed) was not listed on the Chargers' injury report Wednesday.

McKitty missed practice time in early August while dealing with a "soft tissue" injury, but he looks to have overcome this issue heading into Los Angeles' Week 1 contest against Las Vegas. The 2021 third-round pick, who recorded six receptions for 45 yards during his rookie campaign, should play a reserve role behind tight ends Gerald Everett and Donald Parham this season.

Parham (hamstring) did not participate during the Chargers' practice Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Parham has been dealing with a left hamstring injury since the beginning of August that kept him sidelined throughout much of the Chargers' training camp. The 25-year-old did return to practice last Wednesday, but it appears this injury has popped back up heading into Week 1 against Las Vegas. Parham caught 20 of his 27 targets for 190 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games last season, and he should slot in alongside Gerald Everett for the Chargers' primary tight end duties in 2022.

Waller (hamstring) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Waller missed time in training camp and the preseason while he contended with a hamstring issue, but the Raiders' top tight end approaches the Week 1 contest without an injury designation. As a result, Waller should see his share of targets from quarterback Derek Carr, with wideouts Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow also candidates to be featured heavily in the Las Vegas passing game this coming season.

Smith (thumb) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report ahead of Sunday's season opener against Green Bay.

Smith apparently is ready to play after missing most of training camp and the entire preseason in the wake of Aug. 2 thumb surgery. He should handle the majority of Minnesota's snaps and targets at tight end, as backups Johnny Mundt and Ben Ellefson have combined for 11 career NFL receptions. It's a situation that gives Smith breakout appeal for a second straight summer, and this time he was able to move past his preseason injury, after he suffered a season-ending meniscus tear last August. The 24-year-old will take the field Sunday for the first time since the 2021 preseason.

Ertz (calf) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Ertz missed the entire preseason slate due to a calf issue, sitting out all practices since Aug. 4. Just more than one month later, the 10th-year tight end may be putting himself in a position to play Sunday against Kansas City after being termed "day-to-day" by head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Monday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. If Ertz is limited or unable to suit up this weekend, Trey McBride and Maxx Williams (knee) are next up for reps at tight end.

Tonyan (knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Jason Wilde of ESPN.com reports.

Tonyan has progressed steadily from the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered Week 8 of last season, getting removed from the PUP list Aug. 14 and eventually mixing into team drills Aug. 28. Head coach Matt LaFleur has said that he's unsure whether Tonyan will be healthy enough to suit up Week 1 at Minnesota, and the tight end's activity level Wednesday would seem to back that up. Fortunately for Tonyan, he has two more chances to log a full session before week's end, at which point the Packers could make a ruling on his availability for the opener.

Brown (hamstring) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Brown missed the final two preseason games due to a hamstring injury but appears to be a full go ahead of Week 1. The fifth-year tight end has caught 37 of 50 targets for 334 yards and two scores across his first two seasons in Houston. Though he's listed atop Houston's unofficial depth chart at tight end and may draw the start Sunday against the Colts, Brown is expected to function mostly as a blocker while Brevin Jordan profiles as the Texans' top receiving threat at the position.

Sample (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.

Sample had to be carted off the field after suffering a knee injury at the beginning of August, but the details of the issue were never released. The 2019 second-round pick missed the entire preseason, but he appears to be full go ahead of Week 1. If available Sunday, Sample is projected to be the primary backup behind newcomer Hayden Hurst to start the 2022 campaign.

Myarick (foot) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Myarick was dealing with a minor foot injury during the preseason, but as expected, he's returned to practice and should be full go for the regular season. While he's listed as a fullback on the Giants' official roster, Myarick is expected to operate as a backup option at tight end behind Daniel Bellinger (concussion) this season.