NFL Player News

The Patriots and Smith agreed Friday to convert $7.97 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

New England frees up $5.31 million in salary cap for 2022 with the move. Smith is heading into his second season with the Patriots, and he's primed to once again form a duo at tight end with Hunter Henry. Last season, Henry set the pace at the position with 75 targets as opposed to Smith's 45, but the team could employ more two-TE sets in 2022 now that there isn't a true fullback on the roster.

Brown (hamstring) is uncertain for Week 1 against the Colts, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown missed the final two preseason games due to the injury but has another week-plus to get ready for the season opener Sept. 11. His injury, plus Teagan Quitoriano's knee injury that landed him on the injured list, leaves the status of the tight end position unclear heading into Week 1. The Texans will be signing O.J. Howard, and he could step into Brown's role as a traditional tight end. Howard's frame (6-foot-6, 251 pounds) mirrors that of Brown (6-foot-6, 258). Brevin Jordan (6-foot-3, 245) is more often used as a receiver.

Mabry signed with the Seahawks' practice squad Wednesday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Mabry did not survive Seattle's final roster cuts Tuesday after playing eight games with the team in 2021, albeit mostly in a special-teams role (81 of his 103 total snaps). The 25-year-old, who has yet to catch a pass in the NFL, will now look to work his way back onto an active roster this regular season -- either with the Seahawks or elsewhere.

Togiai signed with the Eagles' practice squad Wednesday, Sage Hurley of the team's official site reports.

Togiai was unable to carve out a spot on Philadelphia's 53-man roster this preseason after re-signing with the team on a futures deal in January. The 25-year-old tight end played 48 total snaps during his lone elevation from the team's practice squad in Week 18 last year.

The Jets signed Yeboah to the team's practice squad Wednesday, Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.

Yeboah didn't log a statistically impactful preseason with the Jets, but he evidently showed enough to warrant further development. Last season, the 250-pound tight end played in nine games and recorded just two receptions for 36 yards. Yeboah will now serve as an emergency option if any of New York's tight ends miss time.

The Giants signed Allen to the practice squad Wednesday, Michael Eisen of the team's official site reports.

The Giants' dropped Allen as part of the team's final roster cuts Tuesday, but he returned via the team's practice squad upon clearing waivers. The 6-foot-9 rookie out of Nebraska should be an interesting developmental prospect for Big Blue, and he could even serve as a receiving threat should the team suffer multiple injuries at tight end this regular season.

The Saints signed Krull to their practice squad Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Krull was waived by the Saints during the NFL's recent wave of roster cuts, but he's now slated to join the team's practice squad as an emergency tight end option.

The Saints signed Holtz to the team's practice squad Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Holtz was waived by the Saints during the NFL's recent surge of roster cuts. However, the 29-year-old tight end will now serve as a reserve option should the team endure injuries at the position.

Atlanta signed Fisk to the practice squad Thursday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Fisk was waived as part of the Falcons' final roster cuts Tuesday, but he'll now get a chance to prove himself while on the team's practice squad. The undrafted product out of Stanford saw time playing as a defensive end during his senior collegiate season, and he figures to primarily serve as a blocking tight end in the NFL

Buffalo signed Davidson to the practice squad Thursday.

Davidson was waived by the Vikings during roster cuts, and he spent last season on Minnesota's practice squad, but his next opportunity comes with the Bills. The 2021 fifth-round pick is still searching for a chance to make his NFL debut.