NFL Player News

Knox signed a four-year extension with the Bills on Wednesday, Chris Brown of the team's official site reports. The deal is worth $53.6 million and includes $31 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Knox is the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in a high-scoring offense, a fact made even more obvious after the Bills cut O.J. Howard last week. After a career-best 2021 season in which he set personal marks in catches (49), yards (587) and receptions (nine), Knox will be handsomely rewarded for his efforts. His extension keeps him on the books through 2026, his age-30 season.

Thomas (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Coming back from last year's mid-season ACL tear, Thomas was activated from the PUP list Aug. 22 and said Monday that he hopes to play Week 1 or 2. The Commanders didn't have much in the way of experience at tight end for most of the summer, but things look a bit better entering the opener against Jacksonville, with Thomas a limited participant and John Bates (calf) a full participant on the first official injury report of the season.

Asiasi sat out practice Monday with a quadriceps injury, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Asiasi's injury appears to date back to his time with the Patriots, who waived the tight end last week. However, since the Patriots didn't choose to place Asiasi on injured reserve before the Bengals claimed him off waivers, the injury isn't considered serious and rather something that head coach Zac Taylor referred to as "kind of a lingering deal." Even if Asiasi advances to full practice by the end of the week and avoids a designation heading into Sunday's game against the Steelers, he could still find himself as a healthy inactive.

Ertz (calf) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Ertz is considered day-to-day due to a calf injury that's lingered over the last month, so it's encouraging to see him handling some reps to begin the week of practice. The Cardinals will release their first injury report of the season later Wednesday, when more light will be shed on the veteran tight end's status. It's possible that Ertz could suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener versus the Chiefs even if he's limited in practice leading up to the contest.

Hesse is listed as the No. 2 tight end on the Falcons' unofficial depth chart ahead of Week 1, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.

Hesse beat out MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser for the top backup spot behind superstar tight end Kyle Pitts. Hesse, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, made his NFL debut last year and appeared in eight games as a rookie, catching five of six targets for 43 yards. He'll likely have an expanded role in Year 2, especially given the other two tight ends on the initial roster -- Pitts and converted quarterback Feleipe Franks -- don't operate in traditional in-line roles.

Morris (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's season opener against the Rams, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Morris returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday for the first time this week, giving himself a shot at playing in the season opener. The second-year tight end was elevated to the active roster for one game last year but is still looking to make his NFL debut. If available, he'll serve as a depth piece behind Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney.

The Eagles signed Keene to their practice squad Wednesday.

Keene was drafted by the Patriots in the third-round of the 2020 Draft, but he often battled injuries and only recorded three catches across six regular-season appearances. He was waived by New England ahead of the 53-man roster deadline and will look to carve out a role on Philadelphia's practice squad.

Ferguson could take over the role Blake Jarwin held last season before his career-ending hip injury, according to Bob Sturm of The Athletic.

Even as the No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz, Jarwin was averaging over 35 snaps a game on offense in the first half of the 2021 season before getting hurt in Week 8, and the Cowboys' offense struggled in the second half as it got away from using 12 personnel (one RB, two TE) due to a lack of a reliable option behind Schultz. The decision to draft Ferguson in the fourth round of the 2022 draft seems motivated by a desire to get back to that scheme and philosophy, so the rookie could see the field a lot right out of the gate. Jarwin caught nine of 12 targets for 89 yards and a TD over the first four games of last season, and Ferguson could see similar volume as a receiver to begin his career.

Okwuegbunam (lower body) practiced Tuesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Okwuegbunam "had a little tightness" last week, but he appears to be fine heading into Week 1. With Noah Fant gone and Russell Wilson in town, the 2020 fourth-round pick is expected to have a big season as the Broncos' No. 1 tight end. Last year, he appeared in 14 games and caught 33 of 40 targets for 330 yards and two scores.

The Chiefs placed Bell (hip) on injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Bell underwent surgery to address a hip flexor injury in late August and doesn't yet have a timetable for return, but he'll be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. Once the 2015 fourth-rounder is back to full health, he's expected to serve as depth at tight end behind Travis Kelce.