NFL Player News

Fant caught his only target for minus-3 yards in Thursday's 27-11 preseason loss to the Bears.

Fant's only touch came in the second quarter, as he wasn't heavily involved despite seeing substantially more playing time than starting wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (one series each). Seattle was shut out in the first half with Geno Smith (knee) under center the entire time, which could open the door for Fant's former Broncos teammate Drew Lock to push for the starting quarterback job if he can recover from COVID-19 in time to face the Cowboys in the Aug. 26 preseason finale.

Wydermyer signed a contract with the Patriots on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

The rookie tight end previously signed with the Bills in May but was just released by the team this past Sunday. Wydermyer gives the Patriots added preseason tight-end depth, with Hunter Henry having missed Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, However, Wydermyer will have his work cut out for him in order to land a roster spot, with Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene and Matt Sokol also in the depth mix behind Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Waller (undisclosed) sat out Thursday's practice, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Waller, who had been previously been dealing with reported hamstring injury, returned to a limited session Wednesday, so it's possible that his absence from Thursday's practice is maintenance-related, rather than indicative of a setback. The tight end's status for Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins is unclear, but if he's less than 100 percent at this stage, Waller could be held out for precautionary purposes.

The Colts placed Ogletree (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.

This transaction will officially sideline Ogletree for the entirety of his rookie season after he suffered a torn ACL during practice Wednesday. The 2022 sixth-round pick managed to turn some heads with his impressive performance during his first training camp with Indianapolis, though he will now have to turn his focus toward his recovery heading into the 2023 regular season.

Woods turned in a strong effort during Thursday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports

Woods also caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's preseason opener after he reportedly struggled during the early phases of training camp, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic. However, the rookie third-round pick could be poised to move into a larger receiving role this season after fellow tight end Andrew Ogletree suffered a season-ending torn ACL during Indianapolis' joint practice with the Lions on Wednesday. Woods' size (6-foot-7, 253 pounds) and athleticism (4.59-second 40-yard dash) should make him an intriguing pass-catching threat, though he's still currently set to operate in a reserve role behind two more experienced tight ends in Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith (thumb) is on track to play Week 1 of the regular season.

Smith has been able to do work on the side and may be able to catch in a few more days, O'Connell added. Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but had thumb surgery on Aug. 2.

Hooper caught seven passes Wednesday during Tennessee's joint practice with the Buccaneers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill talked up the acquisition of Hooper prior to training camp, and the two seem to have quickly forged a connection. Hooper could get off to a hot start to the season, as rookie first-round wideout Treylon Burks (undisclosed) has had an inconsistent ramp up to his rookie campaign, while veteran Robert Woods (knee) is hoping to be fully recovered from a torn ACL in time for Week 1. Even if both Burks and Woods are ready to go for the start of the regular season, Hooper could realistically emerge as the No. 2 or 3 target for Tannehill.

Dafney (knee) reverted to Green Bay's injured reserve on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Dafney's status was uncertain for some time, as he briefly returned to practice after reportedly dealing with the injury earlier in camp. However, he was waived/injured Tuesday and went unclaimed. Dafney has four career receptions across 15 games and has contributed significantly on special teams.

Henry was absent from Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Henry went through a limited practice Tuesday before not being spotted at all Wednesday. The team hasn't disclosed an injury, but at this time, Henry's status for a Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins shouldn't be affected.

Andrews isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game versus the Cardinals, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Like he did before the Ravens' exhibition opener last week, head coach John Harbaugh ruled out any possibility of Andrews, quarterback Lamar Jackson and multiple veterans suiting up, which appears to be the plan for this weekend, too. There's no reason for the team to press its luck with its top pass catcher, especially in the wake of wideout Marquise Brown being moved to Arizona in April. Interestingly enough, Brown will be on the other sideline Sunday, but Andrews won't be among the Baltimore players that take the field.