NFL Player News

Gesicki has been deployed more as a blocker than as a pass catcher during the early portion of Miami's training camp, the Boston Herald reports.

Gesicki, who is in line to play out the 2022 season under the franchise tag, has been positioned in-line more often than out wide or in the slot during the early days of training camp. Few targets have gone his way so far, per camp reports. Coach Mike McDaniel's wide-zone run scheme has historically relied on a capable blocking tight end, to the tune of George Kittle (lower body) back in San Francisco, but that isn't a skill that Gesicki has been asked to feature regularly since joining the Dolphins in 2018. McDaniel said Gesicki wants to "attack blocking with a different severity than he ever has before" this offseason, and the coach mentioned that facilitating a strong rushing game will help create opportunities for the tight end in the middle of the field. Still, with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle around to soak up passing volume, it's unclear whether Gesicki will repeat on 100-plus targets in what looks like a new role.

Otton, who was medically cleared from the ankle injury that cut short his final college season just before training camp, has been able to practice each day thus far after missing all offseason on-field work, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Otton studied the Buccaneers offense in the classroom and through sideline observation throughout the offseason, but getting live reps has naturally been a welcome new phase in his acclimation. The rookie fourth-round pick is slated to rotate in with veterans Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph and also put in plenty of time on special teams this season, but his athleticism could certainly help him carve out meaningful snaps as the season unfolds if he proves a quick study in the offense and pass-protection schemes.

Alie-Cox tweaked his left knee during Saturday's practice and was not able to finish the session, 107.5 Indianapolis reports.

The injury isn't thought to be serious. He was able to stay in for another play after hurting his knee and later left. With Jack Doyle's retirement, Alie-Cox is poised to be the team's top tight end and his target share and red-zone usage could increase significantly.

The Cardinals waived Wells on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Wells signed a future/reserve contract with Arizona after being elevated from the team's practice squad for three games in 2021. The 27-year-old will now pass through waivers, where he can be claimed by a new team in need of additional depth at tight end headed into the regular season.

Dulcich (hamstring) will be worked back into practice slowly as he nurses an offseason hamstring injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Coach Nathaniel Hackett said of Dulcich's injury Wednesday, "We want to make sure he can get a certain amount of work. That's why he's just going to be on the side a little bit, and we'll slowly work him back in." It's clear the team is exercising caution with the tight end as he gets back to full strength. Denver's coaching staff seems ready to allow Dulcich to compete for top billing at the position with holdover Albert Okwuegbunam. Once the rookie is fully healthy, his athleticism and ability to stretch the field could lead to his emergence as the starter.

Fortson left Saturday's training camp practice early due to a quadriceps injury, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

More details about Fortson's injury will reportedly be made available Monday. The 26-year-old was reportedly making plays early on in camp and inching toward securing the No. 2 tight end gig behind Travis Kelce, but it now remains to be seen if he'll have to miss significant time. Fortson tore his Achilles last October, but he has since gained clearance to participate in on-field activities.

Forston reeled in six of his seven targets during training camp Friday, including an impressive catch against cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Per Sweeney, Fortson is seemingly making the strongest case to be the team's No. 2 tight end early in camp. The Chiefs also have Blake Bell and spent a fifth-round pick on Noah Gray last season with the hope Gray could develop into the future of the position, but neither should be considered a lock for the spot. Regardless of Forston's standing on the depth chart as the preseason wears on, the obvious hurdle to fantasy value is Travis Kelce ranking above him, in addition to the team's new weapons out wide and in the backfield. However, Fortson could position himself to take over as the primary tight end in the event Kelce misses time.

Coach Mike Tomlin revealed Friday that Freiermuth is dealing with a hamstring injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Freiermuth was forced out of Thursday's practice early, with what was described as "some lower-body tightness." Now we know that the tight end -- who didn't practice Friday -- is managing a hamstring concern. Next up for practice reps in Freiermuth's absence are Zach Gentry, Kevin Rader and Connor Heyward.

As training camp opened, Mundt saw work as the second tight end when the Vikings opted to go with two in practice, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.

Mundt is thus past the knee issue that limited him in OTAs, and the former Ram will now look to secure a depth role in a Minnesota tight end corps that is led by Irv Smith and also includes Ben Ellefson, Zach Davidson and Nick Muse. In six games with Los Angeles last season, Mundt caught his only target for nine yards. In his new locale, the 27-year-old figures to continue to make most of his impact as a blocker.

After absorbing a hit to the ribs Thursday, Hill is in line to miss some time, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Though Hill has moved past a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, he'll now be sidelined for an indefinite period of time with a rib issue. When healthy, the versatile 31-year-old will look to carve out a role in a New Orleans tight end corps that also includes Adam Trautman, Nick Vannett, Juwan Johnson and Lucas Krull, among others.