NFL Player News

Thomas (knee) took part in 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, with head coach Ron Rivera suggesting afterward that the tight end could play Week 1 at Jacksonville, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Rivera said Thomas' progression to 7-on-7s was "very important" and "another milestone," adding that "it gives him a chance" to be ready for the season opener. If so, Thomas presumably would be eased in with something less than his familiar every-down role, though an eventual return to that type of workload isn't out of the question given Washington's limited depth at tight end. Three of the team's backups, including John Bates (calf), missed the second week of the preseason with injuries.

Thomas (ribs) was present at practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The fifth-year tight end is now two weeks removed from having been carted off the practice field with banged up ribs, and it appears he's nearing a full return. Thomas is Carolina's anticipated second-string tight end behind 2021 third-rounder Tommy Tremble for 2022, and will likely spend more time as a blocker than as a route-runner this season.

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said Wednesday that he isn't concerned about Waller's (undisclosed) continued absence from practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports. "He's doing everything he can to get back out there," McDaniels said. "I see him every day. He's in every meeting."

That said, Tashan Reed of The Athletic relays that McDaniels declined to make a prediction about Waller's status for the Raiders' Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Chargers. McDaniels' unwillingness to commit to Waller being available for Week 1 makes it safe to conclude that the tight end is unlikely to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Patriots.

Bell is without a timeline to return from surgery to address a hip flexor injury, ESPN.com reports.

Bell suffered the injury in the Chiefs' preseason opener, which ultimately led to him undergoing surgery. Head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that it's an "unusual" injury, and Reid added that he doesn't expect to see Bell on the field in the near future. The tight end could end up on injured reserve next week, a move that Reid did not rule out.

Smith took part in individual drills Tuesday with a wrap on his thumb and was on the field for some full-team snaps, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Smith hasn't caught any passes, but he is expected to soon. The tight end missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee but opened training camp as a full participant, only to undergo thumb surgery Aug. 2. Coach Kevin O'Connell said last week that Smith is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season, and his return to the practice field is a good sign.

Cager caught three of four targets for 65 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 24-16 preseason win over the Falcons.

Cager scored a 34-yard touchdown in the third quarter, doing most of the work himself after the catch. The former Georgia wide receiver doesn't have the speed to play the position at a high level in the NFL, which is why Cager transitioned to tight end in the offseason. If the Jets opt to keep four tight ends, they'll have to decide between Cager's pass-catching ability and Trevon Wesco's blocking prowess for the final spot.

McKeon was absent from Tuesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

This is the first news about an ankle injury for McKeon. He is competing for the No. 2 tight end role behind Dalton Schultz with the Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, so a return to practice sooner rather than later will be beneficial.

The Eagles placed Jackson (knee) on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Jackson tore his ACL in the Eagles' Week 18 loss to the Cowboys and underwent successful surgery in January. He'll miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

Seals-Jones was placed on injured reserve Tuesday due to a toe injury, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Seals-Jones can't play for the Giants this season, but he might be able to play for another team if he reaches an injury settlement. It's also possible this is truly a season-ending injury, as Seals-Jones otherwise seemed to be right in the mix for snaps in arguably the weakest TE room in the league. Rookie Daniel Bellinger got most of the first-team snaps in the Giants' first two preseason games and had a costly drop-turned-interception in the second one.

The Chargers placed Smartt (undisclosed) on the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smartt began training camp on the active/NFI list, but he's since shifted to the reserve list. He'll be forced to miss a minimum of four games.