NFL Player News

Waller (knee) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report, with the Raiders holding a walk-through session for the second straight day as they prepare for Saturday's wild-card game in Cincinnati.

Waller returned from a five-game absence for the Raiders' overtime win over the Chargers in Week 18, catching two of nine targets for 22 yards in the 35-32 victory. He wasn't at his best in his first game back, but he played close to his normal allotment of snaps (78 percent). Though he and the Raiders will face a quicker turnaround than usual for Saturday's postseason opener, Waller had a big game earlier this season against the Bengals back in Week 11, when he produced a 7-116-0 receiving line in a 31-13 loss.

The Lions signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Sokol was waived by the Chargers in late August and will now attempt to carve out a role with Detroit to begin the offseason. He appeared in two games with the Chargers in 2020 but didn't see any targets.

Hesse played 11 offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

Hesse out-snapped fellow backup tight end Lee Smith eleven to four, but neither were a factor in the passing game. Hesse finished the 2021 campaign with five catches (six targets) for 43 yards across eight appearances. However, the majority of that production -- three catches for 31 yards -- came in Week 17, when he was filling in for Hayden Hurst -- who was out due to COVID-19 protocols. Hesse is under contract for the 2022 season, while Smith and Hurst are not, so if the Falcons don't add any tight ends during the offseason, Hesse could head into next season as the primary backup to Kyle Pitts.

Uzomah (knee/hip) didn't record a single snap in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Browns.

Listed as questionable heading into the Week 18 matchup, Uzomah avoided the inactive list but ultimately didn't sit out. The pair of injuries likely weren't at the root of his absence; instead, the Bengals were likely just holding their top tight end as a precautionary measure in advance of the postseason, as was the case for several other key players on offense. Uzomah, who finished the regular season with 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns, should be ready to reclaim a full-time role on offense in Saturday's wild-card matchup with the Raiders.

Fant caught one of two targets for 16 yards in Saturday's 28-24 loss to the Chiefs.

Fant turned in his lowest reception total of the season Saturday, but he still finished the campaign with a respectable 68-670-4 receiving line. The tight end talent is undeniable, but Denver's weak quarterback often made him difficult to rely on for steady production. The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his rookie contract, but it may take an upgrade at the quarterback position for him to raise his production and secure a long-term extension before he reaches free agency.

Bryant caught one of three targets for nine yards in Week 18's 21-16 win over the Bengals.

Bryant saw his three-game touchdown streak end, but the second-year tight end had a pair of red-zone targets, giving him five looks inside the 20 over the final four weeks of the season. He didn't make a big splash in 2021, settling in as the No. 3 tight end, but he managed to post numbers similar to his mildly surprising rookie campaign of 2020 when he out-snapped David Njoku. Bryant finished the campaign with 21 catches on 28 targets for 233 yards and those three late-season TDs. Looking ahead to 2022, both he and Austin Hooper are under contract, and there's talk that the Browns will bring back Njoku as well. That would mean little change among the position group. If Njoku doesn't return, then Bryant likely takes on a larger role next season.

Thomas was not targeted in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers.

Thomas saw rookie Tommy Tremble return to the lineup and lead him in offensive snaps, contributing to another quiet outing. Despite starting 13 of 17 games this season, Thomas managed just 18 catches on 30 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns. The 2018 fourth-round pick is slated to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason and he could offer depth to a team's options at tight end. It's unclear whether the Panthers will try to bring him back.

The Chargers signed Kampmoyer to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

The tight end spent Week 17 as a member of the Chargers' active roster, but failed to draw a target over three offensive snaps. Kampmoyer will now return to the Chargers in 2022 and look to carve out a more substantial role in the offense.

The Saints signed Wolf to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Wolf appeared in two games for the Saints during the 2021 campaign and secured both of his targets for eight yards. He'll attempt to carve out a role with the team during the offseason.

Farrell didn't receive a target during Sunday's 26-11 win over Indianapolis.

Farrell started Sunday's contest alongside Chris Manhertz, but Jacob Hollister was the only Jacksonville tight end to be targeted in the passing game. Farrell finished his rookie campaign with seven receptions for 56 yards in 15 games, and he should enter 2022 competing for a depth role with Manhertz behind Dan Arnold (knee), who currently projects to be the team's No. 1 tight end.