NFL Player News

Okwuegbunam was held out of the Broncos' preseason finale as well as practice Wednesday due to a lower body issue but added that he could have played Saturday had it been a regular-season contest, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

It remains to be seen if the tight end appears on the team's Week 1 injury report next week, but Okwuegbunam's status for the season opener doesn't appear to be in any danger. Once the campaign commences, the 24-year-old is slated to work as the Broncos' top pass-catching tight end, a role that Okwuegbunam should maintain out of the gate, with 2022 third-rounder Greg Dulcich on IR and in line to miss the first four games of the season, per Aric DiLalla of the team's official site. In that context, Okwuegbunam could yield some early season fantasy lineup utility if he displays good on-field chemistry with Russell Wilson, Denver's new franchise QB.

The Jaguars signed Prince to the practice squad Wednesday.

Prince spent the offseason in Jacksonville. The undrafted rookie of UAB will now get a chance to continue his development while also operating as an emergency reserve option.

Indianapolis signed Kalinic to the practice squad Thursday.

Kalinic will continue to develop with the Colts and work for a chance to make his NFL debut. He appeared in 30 games across two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

Mitchell-Paden was signed to the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.

Mitchell-Paden had been cut after signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in May, but he went unclaimed on waivers and was subsequently added to the Browns' practice squad. The former Florida Atlantic tight end is more skilled at blocking than catching passes.

Smith (thumb) has been spotted catching passes in recent practices, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Smith returned to practice last week but wasn't catching passes, so his activity over the past few days marks a significant step forward. The tight end missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, but after opening training camp as a full participant, he underwent thumb surgery Aug. 2. Head coach Kevin O'Connell previously said that Smith was on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

The Browns signed Forristall to their practice squad Wednesday.

Forristall failed to make the team after appearing in two games last season, but he went unclaimed on waivers, allowing the Browns to bring him back into the organization. He's likely the top option to be elevated to the roster should injuries befall Browns tight ends David Njoku or Harrison Bryant.

Wydermyer signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday.

Wydermyer initially signed with New England's offseason roster in mid-August after getting waived by the Bills just four days prior. The undrafted rookie now will look to work his way onto an active roster -- either with the Patriots or elsewhere -- before making his NFL debut.

Thompson (calf) was added to Carolina's practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thomas struggled to make a case for a roster spot while battling a calf injury for much of August. Once he heals up, it's possible the Temple product could push for a spot on the team later in the season given Carolina's lack of established talent at tight end.

Mason joined the Ravens' practice squad Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Mason was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft but ended up splitting his rookie season between the Patriots and Bears practice squads after failing to make the team. While he failed to make Baltimore's 53-man roster once again in 2022, Mason will remain in the Ravens organization as a potential injury replacement for Patrick Ricard.

Pruitt was signed to the Falcons' practice squad Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Pruitt failed to make the 53-man roster but will be kept around the organization in a practice squad capacity. The 30-year-old tight end is more experienced than most practice squad players, having dressed for 79 NFL games in his career.