NFL Player News

Waller has been missing time in training camp due to a hamstring injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter notes that the tight end's hamstring issue is not considered serious, while Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com relays that it appears as though Waller could return to practice next week. With that in mind, it seems safe to assume that Waller won't be available for Sunday's preseason contest against the Vikings.

Waller (undisclosed) told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com he should be ready to practice next week.

Waller has been out since at least the beginning of August with an undisclosed injury. It sounds like he doesn't consider it serious, but fantasy managers will still feel much better once he actually gets back on the practice field. Waller won't be playing in Sunday's preseason game against Minnesota.

Bellinger caught his only target for five yards in Thursday's 23-21 preseason win over the Patriots.

Bellinger was listed atop the tight end depth chart heading into the preseason opener, but Daniel Jones didn't look his way during the starting quarterback's two drives of action, as the only pass thrown Bellinger's way came from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Bellinger will look to make more of an impact in New York's second preseason game Aug. 21 against Cincinnati, as Ricky Seals-Jones (undisclosed) and Jordan Akins remain hot on his heels for playing time at tight end.

Likely caught each of his four targets for 44 yards in Thursday's preseason win over Tennessee.

The rookie fourth-round pick was on the field for most of the first half with QB Tyler Huntley and the second-team offense, while fellow tight ends Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle were rested along with the other starters and fellow fourth-round pick Charlie Kolar was sidelined by sports hernia surgery. Likely was called for two holding penalties Thursday, but it isn't blocking he was drafted for, coming out of Coastal Carolina as an undersized tight end (235 pounds) who put up 912 yards and 12 TDs his senior season. He showed why the Ravens took him when he got his shots in the passing game, with one reception featuring a trio of successful jukes and another going for 22 yards in traffic. Last but not least, Likely made a tough catch on a low throw -- initially called incomplete before a review overturned it. As encouraging of an effort as it was, Likely is unlikely to find an opening for rookie-year fantasy value in any scenario where Mark Andrews stays healthy. For now, the rookie tight end is mostly of interest in deeper dynasty leagues.

Thompson is dealing with a calf injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old finished the 2021 campaign on Carolina's practice squad after bringing in just one of his three targets for seven yards over 26 games during the past two seasons. The Panthers also signed tight end Nate Becker to a one-year deal Thursday, so any missed time this preseason could substantially affect Thompson's chances to make the team's final roster headed into the regular season.

Kmet is day-to-day with an unspecified injury and isn't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Locked in as Chicago's top tight end, Kmet may still need to answer questions about production and performance but doesn't face any kind of serious challenge for snaps. His absence could free up a bit more work for middling veterans Ryan Griffin and James O'Shaughnessy.

Dulcich (hamstring) missed practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The 2022 third-rounder also sat out Wednesday's session, so consider Dulcich day-to-day as Saturday's preseason opener against the Cowboys approaches. When healthy, Dulcich will look to make his case to secure a key role in Denver's offense alongside returnee Albert Okwuegbunam. Tight end targets are up for grabs this season after the Broncos sent Noah Fant to the Seahawks in the trade that brought in Russell Wilson.

Fortson (quadriceps) is an active participant at Thursday's practice, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Fortson suffered the injury July 30 and has not practiced with the team since. The 26-year-old was impressing early in camp, showing the potential to earn the No. 2 spot on the positional depth chart behind Travis Kelce. Now healthy, Fortson will work to gain back that momentum.

Blanton is listed as the No. 2 tight end for the Rams on their first unofficial depth chart, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Tyler Higbee's return from an MCL injury suffered during the playoffs meant that Blanton and fellow tight end Brycen Hopkins would be relegated to backup duty, but Blanton will start the preseason as the primary backup, thanks to his more robust skill set as both a blocker and a receiver. Blanton will find plenty of work in two-tight end sets, but will likely struggle to improve on his 2021 stats (4-37-0 line in 11 regular season games) with numerous target hogs surrounding him on the field.

McBride (back) may not be able to play during Friday's preseason game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The 6-foot-3, 249-pound tight end has been dealing with some back soreness through the August portion of training camp, but the team hasn't expressed too much concern about the issue. McBride was the first tight end selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, but with Zach Ertz the presumed starter, the 22-year-old could find himself third on Arizona's depth chart if Maxx Williams (knee) is cleared to play by Week 1. McBride will likely partake in preseason action at some point, but it looks like he'll watch from the sidelines on Friday.