NFL Player News

Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday "it's a little too early" to say whether Tonyan (knee) will suit up for the regular season-opener against Minnesota, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Tonyan resumed taking part in team drills Sunday, and the Packers activated him from the active/PUP list on Aug. 14, so it's clear he's making progress in his recovery from a torn left ACL. With the season opener just under two weeks away, Tonyan still has a bit of time to showcase his health before the team will need to make a decision on his Week 1 status.

Allen hauled in four of four targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's exhibition loss to the Jets.

The Giants had 14 different players notch at least one reception in the contest, and Allen had the only touchdown on an 18-yard connection with Davis Webb in the fourth quarter. Allen signed with New York as an undrafted free agent in May after racking up 602 yards on 38 catches with Nebraska last year. He's not guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster but certainly has a shot given the lack of depth at the tight-end position behind fellow rookie Daniel Bellinger.

Freiermuth hauled in three passes (on four targets) for 45 yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Lions.

Freiermuth has racked up 80 receiving yards on just five receptions through two abbreviated preseason tilts. These stats don't count yet, but those who were hoping for the second-year tight end to build off his solid rookie campaign (497 yards and seven touchdowns) have to be pleased with his performance. Freiermuth will be the primary tight end for whoever head coach Mike Tomlin decides to name starting quarterback prior to the season opener against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Ertz (calf) didn't play in Saturday's preseason loss at Tennessee.

Ertz made an early exit from practice on Aug. 4 due to a calf injury and hasn't made any visible progress in the meantime. He and his wife also welcomed their first child during that stretch, so there are numerous reasons he didn't make an appearance in exhibition season. Ertz still has two weeks to get healthy ahead of the Cardinals' Week 1 matchup with the Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 11. However, if his availability for that contest starts to become murky, reserve tight ends Trey McBride, a rookie second-round pick, and even Maxx Williams (knee) could make their way into the game plan.

McBride wasn't targeted on 35 offensive snaps during Saturday's preseason loss at Tennessee.

Since missing the Cardinals' first exhibition due to a sore back, McBride has suited up in the team's ensuing two preseason contests, failing to haul in either of his targets while racking up 66 snaps on offense and 14 more on special teams. Of course, the rookie second-round pick has yet to work in a game with starting quarterback Kyler Murray, so his prospects should improve once Week 1 arrives. Moreover, top tight end Zach Ertz (calf) didn't play in the preseason, and Maxx Williams still is in recovery mode from a torn ACL suffered last October, so McBride immediately could earn a fair number of snaps to begin his career.

Hockenson caught one of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's preseason finale against the Steelers.

Hockenson got rested in the Lions' first two preseason games, but head coach Dan Campbell decided to get his starting tight end some work before the regular season begins Sept. 11. The 25-year-old had his fifth-year option picked up this offseason following thumb surgery, and Sunday's preseason appearance confirms the tight end's clean bill of health heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Eagles. Hockenson should be considered a TE1 with some room for growth heading into the 2022 season.

The Raiders waived Bowers on Sunday, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reports.

Bowers joined the Raiders in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State, and after spending that season on the practice squad, he made his NFL debut in 2021. He appeared in five total contests and played 39 offensive snaps but never saw a target.

Bellinger suffered a concussion during Sunday's preseason contest versus the Jets, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Concussions don't follow any set timeline for a return to action, but fortunately for Bellinger he has exactly two weeks to make his way through the league's five-step protocol related to head injuries. In a Giants tight end room light on name players, the rookie fourth-round pick has a great chance to play a prominent role at the position Week 1 and beyond, assuming he's healthy.

Bellinger is under evaluation for a concussion during Sunday's preseason contest against the Jets, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Bellinger was seen making his way to the locker room with the Giants medical staff late in the first half. If he's eventually diagnosed with a head injury, he'll finish preseason Week 3 with three catches (on three targets) for 37 yards.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Tonyan (knee) will take part in team drills at Sunday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Tonyan suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Week 8 last season, but he progressed enough that the Packers activated him from the active/PUP list on Aug. 14. Two weeks later, he's now poised to mix into team drills, which is a positive sign with the season opener still two weeks away. It remains to be seen whether or not Tonyan will make himself available for a Week 1 road matchup with the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 11.