NFL Player News

Ruckert, who has been suffering from a foot injury, will be re-evaluated next week to determine the extent the rookie will be able to participate in the Jets' rookie OTAs, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

The quote suggests the Jets are "hopeful" the 2022 third-round pick will be able to participate during any of the Jets' spring optional practices throughout the spring, including rookie OTAs. New York signed both C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin this offseason to bolster a previously porous TE corps, so any missed time could put the Ohio State product even further behind in his quest for quality snaps during his rookie campaign.

Hudson (ankle) currently projects to be fourth on the Titans' tight-end depth chart, Ben Arthur of the Tennessean reports.

Hudson ended the 2021 season on injured reserve and also missed six weeks earlier in the season with a related issue. He was active for only two games and could be on the roster bubble heading into 2022, particularly after the team selected Chig Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Following the recent NFL Draft, Blanton and Brycen Hopkins continue to follow Tyler Higbee on the Rams' tight end depth chart, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Meanwhile, 2021 fourth-rounder Jacob Harris is bouncing back from a knee injury, but at this stage Blanton -- who is presumably past a shoulder issue that slowed him in Super Bowl LVI -- and Hopkins remain next up for tight end targets in the event that Higbee misses time this season.

Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Keene (knee) and Devin Asiasi remain in the Patriots' backup tight end mix, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

While neither of the two 2020 third-rounders are threats to supplant the team's top two tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the Patriots would no doubt like to see added contributions from Keene and/or Asiasi. Since being taken 101st overall out of Virginia Tech, Keene has recorded just three catches for 16 yards in six regular-season NFL games. The 23-year-old spent last season on IR, but he's presumably past the knee injury that landed him there and will look to reclaim his roster spot ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Following the recent NFL Draft, Gray remains in the mix to back up Travis Kelce along with Blake Bell and Jody Fortson (Achilles), Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Of course, as long as Kelce, who logged 159 targets last season, remains available, there's not going to be much volume for Kansas City's reserve tight ends. In 2021, Gray caught seven of his 10 targets for 36 yards and a TD in 16 games. Meanwhile, Bell logged 13 targets in 16 contests and Fortson five in six outings. In the event that Kelce misses time for any reason in 2022, it's unclear who would fill in as the team's starting TE, with a time-share approach in which Gray -- a 2021 fifth-rounder -- would likely be a factor.

Forristall slots in as the Browns' No. 3 tight end following the 2022 NFL Draft, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Forristall appeared in just two games with the Browns in 2021 and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January. Cleveland is expected to utilize fewer sets with multiple tight ends this season, so the 24-year-old is unlikely to see a major uptick in snaps in 2022.

Pederson was waived by the Chiefs on Thursday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Pederson signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs after the 2021 campaign, but he's been let go after the draft process. The undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Monroe has yet to make his NFL debut.

With the addition of rookie tight end Greg Dulcich in the third round of the draft, Okwuegbunam may find himself sharing duties at the position in 2022, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Though Okwuegbunam's starting tight end position is likely secure at this point, the addition of Dulcich through the draft could certainly cut into the veteran's playing time next season. Okwuegbunam became poised to be the Broncos' starting tight end with the departure of Noah Fant to Seattle as part of the deal to acquire Russell Wilson. Dulcich, however, caught the eye of head coach Nathaniel Hackett as an impact player. "When you have a guy that can stretch the field like he can, it's really exciting," Hackett said of the UCLA product. Regardless of how the tight end pecking order plays out in 2022, the arrival of Wilson at quarterback will likely help to elevate the fantasy production of the entire Denver pass-catching group.

Saubert re-signed Wednesday with Denver on a one-year deal, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Saubert appeared in all 17 games with Denver last season, recording eight catches on 12 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. He's been a solid blocker and consistent contributor on special teams for the Broncos, the two areas where he's likely to provide most of his value if he earns a spot on Denver's Week 1 roster. With the departure of Noah Fant to Seattle, the Broncos are down their top pass-catching tight end from 2022, but Albert Okwuegbunam and rookie third-round pick Greg Dulcich are bigger threats than Saubert to absorb Fant's vacated targets.

Mitchell (knee) expects to receive full medical clearance by June, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports. "I'm seven months out, seven months and some weeks," Mitchell said. "I'm pretty much back. I'm doing everything from running, cutting, running routes. I'm expected to be fully cleared by June at the latest. I'll be ready to go by training camp. I'm excited."

Mitchell presumably fell to the fifth round of last week's draft due to an ACL injury he suffered last September. When healthy, the Virginia Tech product should slot no lower than fourth on the depth chart entering training camp. If all goes right this summer, Mitchell could possibly challenge Brock Wright and Garrett Griffin for the No. 2 role at tight end behind T.J. Hockenson -- while possibly getting snaps at H-back as well.