NFL Player News

The Browns and Njoku agreed on a four-year, $56.75 million contract extension Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Browns placed the franchise tag on Njoku earlier in the offseason, but the tight end will now get a massive new extension. Per Rapoport, the deal includes $28 million guaranteed and will pay Njoku an average of $14.19 million per year, making Njoku the fifth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL. The 2017 first-round pick posted 475 yards and four touchdowns last season -- his highest marks since his sophomore campaign.

Fortson (Achilles) was working in a limited fashion during Thursday's OTA sessions, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Fortson's participation in the Chiefs' OTAs is particularly encouraging after he was already seen doing individual drills with his personal trainer Wednesday. The second-year tight end is returning from a season-ending injury torn Achilles in October of 2021 and was also seen wearing a full-length compression sleeve Thursday. There's no guarantee that Fortson will be a participant in Phase 3 of Kansas City's upcoming voluntary workouts according to Charles Goldman of USA Today, but the tight end's continued progress is an encouraging sign for his availability for the start of the regular season.

The Saints waived Wolf (undisclosed) from injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Wolf reverted to injured reserve last week after he went unclaimed on waivers, but he'll now be let go by the Saints. The nature of his injury hasn't been revealed, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to play in 2022.

Njoku is abstaining from OTAs while he and the Browns continue to discuss a potential extension, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Both sides have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract, and the team already applied the franchise tag to the tight end back in March. Playing on the franchise tag would set Njoku up for a $10.8 million salary in 2022, while Cabot notes that the terms being discussed for an extension could average over $13 million per season. With Austin Hooper out of the picture for the Browns, Njoku appears destined for the No. 1 tight end role, putting him in position for a legitimate breakout campaign.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Kittle is dealing with a "lower half" issue and isn't expected to participate during OTAs this week, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Shanahan added that the All-Pro tight end "could go," but the team is "being smart" with Kittle and there's a "good chance" he'll be held out until training camp. The tight end has dealt with numerous injuries over the last three seasons, so while his latest issue doesn't appear to be serious, the 49ers are expected to proceed with the utmost caution.

Tonyan (knee) was spotted rehabbing off to the side during the Packers' OTAs on Tuesday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Tonyan tore his left ACL in Week 8 last season and has reportedly been ahead of schedule during his rehab, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready by Week 1. The undrafted tight end out of Indiana State re-signed with Green Bay on a one-year deal in mid-March, and if healthy, he could play an increased role in the Packers' passing game in the absence of Davante Adams. Tonyan's status during training camp in July should give a better indication as to whether or not he'll be available to start the regular season.

Coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that Knox is dealing with a minor injury, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

McDermott mentioned Knox and OL Spencer Brown when media members asked about injured players absent from practice. It doesn't sound like anything too serious for Knox, who has a capable backup this season after the Bills signed O.J. Howard in March.

Daniels signed with the Texans on Monday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Daniels spent the last three seasons with the Cardinals, mostly supplying tight end depth for them, a role he'll likely have if he can crack the Texans roster. Last season, Daniels appeared in 15 contests, making one catch on four targets for no yards.

The 49ers signed Kroft to a one-year contract Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kroft joins San Francisco as a depth option behind lead tight end George Kittle. The 29-year-old has suited up for the Bengals, Bills and Jets in his NFL career. He hasn't logged a season with 200 receiving yards since 2017, when he put up a 42-404-7 line across 16 games in Cincinnati.

Higbee (knee) said Tuesday that he was able to start on-field work at the beginning of May, but he's in no rush to get back to full speed during the offseason, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

HIgbee suffered an MCL sprain in the NFC Championship game against the 49ers and was ruled out for the Rams' Super Bowl win. The fact that the tight end has already returned to football activities is a great sign, but he's being cautious during the offseason to avoid any potential setbacks.