NFL Player News

Ricci has been ruled out for the remainder of Friday's preseason finale against the Bills due to a groin injury, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.

The extent of the injury remains unclear. The undrafted fullback out of Western Michigan appeared in 16 games for the Panthers as a rookie and operated mostly on special teams. As long as he's healthy, he figures to garner a similar role again in 2022.

Asiasi won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders due to a quadriceps injury, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

The extent of the injury remains unclear, but at the moment, it doesn't appear like a major issue. The 25-year-old has been competing for a depth spot behind top tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith during training camp.

Hill isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason contest against the Chargers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Neither Hill nor Adam Trautman were seen in uniform ahead of Friday's outing, meaning Nick Vannett, Juwan Johnson, J.P. Holtz and Lucas Krull will be the Saints' available tight ends Friday. Hill will be limited to one appearance during exhibition season, as he dealt with bruised ribs at the start of training camp that held him out of preseason Week 1. On nine offensive snaps last Friday at Green Bay, he hauled in one of two targets for 10 yards.

Trautman isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game versus the Chargers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

While all of Michael Thomas, Trautman and Taysom Hill weren't seen uniform before Friday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram and Jarvis Landry were, so it appears as if some of the first-team offense will handle some in-game reps in the Saints' exhibition finale. With Trautman and Hill sidelined, though, Nick Vannett, Juwan Johnson, J.P. Holtz and Lucas Krull will be the team's available tight ends.

The Falcons re-signed Fisk on Friday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Fisk was waived by Atlanta a week ago, but he rejoins the team ahead of Saturday's preseason finale. The 6-foot-4 tight end was initially signed as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford.

Schultz and most other starters aren't expected to play in Friday's final preseason game against Seattle, with the Cowboys looking ahead to their Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Cowboys will rest starters for a third straight week, prioritizing health over reps throughout the preseason. Schultz could be even busier this year than he was during his breakout 2021, as the Cowboys traded WR Amari Cooper to Cleveland and don't expect WR Michael Gallup (knee) to be ready for Week 1. The downside there is that Schultz will get more attention from defenses, starting with a Tampa unit that has S Antoine Winfield and LBs Lavonte David and Devin White patrolling the middle of the field. The Bucs allowed the 12th most PPR points to TEs last year, but it was largely volume-based without many big plays (six TDs, 6.7 YPT).

Deguara was targeted once but did not catch a pass in Friday's exhibition matchup with the Chiefs.

Deguara did not do much during the preseason, finishing with totals of six targets, three receptions and 23 yards. His versatility could help get him on the field when the regular season gets underway, but he may not get enough looks to make a fantasy impact, particularly with fellow tight end Robert Tonyan (knee) likely being ready to go early in the season, if not Week 1.

Offensive coordinator Justin Outten said Thursday that Okwuegbunam will play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Vikings, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

After Okwuegbunam didn't receive a target on 16 offensive snaps in the Broncos' exhibition opener, he played much of preseason Week 2 this past Saturday in Buffalo, gathering in four of five passes for 32 yards. His usage under new coach Nathaniel Hackett has been strange to say the least as Denver's No. 1 tight end, but Okwuegbunam has yet to see action with new quarterback Russell Wilson and likely won't this weekend as well. As long as Okwuegbunam emerges Saturday with his health intact, he should serve as one of the team's top playmakers Week 1 and beyond.

Kittle started but didn't catch his only target in Thursday's 17-0 preseason loss to the Texans.

Kittle posted an equivalent stat line to starting wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as Trey Lance struggled to connect with his top pass catchers during the starting quarterback's three drives of action. Despite this discouraging dress rehearsal, Kittle remains among the game's top tight ends heading into the regular season, usually slotting in fourth at the position behind Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts.

Bushman was forced to exit the Chiefs' preseason finale Thursday with a fractured clavicle, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Bushman left Kansas City's preseason finale against the Packers in the third quarter after scoring two touchdowns and recording three catches overall for 73 yards. The 26-year-old will try to fight for a depth spot behind Travis Kelce once he heals up from his collarbone injury.