NFL Player News

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy believes Kmet can be a rock star on offense, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

Although he ranked eighth in tight-end targets last year with 93, the 23-year-old failed to score a touchdown. However, with favored red-zone target Jimmy Graham no longer on the team, it's likely that Kmet will see more looks at the goal line. Getsy pointed out that the 2020 second-round pick is starting to use the "really cool tools" he has. He's lining up out wide and working in line as well as blocking. The coach also believes Kmet is on the brink of taking his game to another level. It's possible that the tight end could emerge as the second-most reliable receiving option on the Bears after Darnell Mooney. Currently being drafted just outside the top-10 tight ends, if Kmet takes a big step forward in his third season, he could be a draft-day bargain.

Jordan can help the Texans fill their void at slot receiver, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans have a big-framed tight end in Pharaoh Brown, who can handle in-line blocking assignments, so they don't necessarily need Jordan in that role. Houston head coach Lovie Smith said the 2021 fifth-round pick can block "a little bit" -- the tight end acknowledges he has a "long way to go" as a blocker -- but the coach sees Jordan's potential in multi-tight end and fullback packages. One potential spot for the athletic 22-year-old is in the slot, where the Texans had planned on John Metchie (illness) being the starter before his unfortunate cancer diagnosis. Whatever the coaches decide, there will be a role for Jordan, who became a go-to target on third down and in red zone situations in 2021, when he had 20 catches, 178 yards and three touchdowns over nine games.

Asiasi left New England's practice early Monday with an undisclosed injury that is not expected to be serious, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Asiasi has dealt with a hand issue this preseason, though it's unclear if this is what forced his early departure Monday. The 2020 third-round pick has registered just two catches on seven targets over ten total games during his first two seasons with the Patriots, and he may need to establish a special-teams presence to ensure a spot on the final 53-man roster for the 2022 campaign.

Ferguson returned to practice Monday after picking up a hamstring issue last Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Ferguson looked strong in his return to the field and stood out for his blocking Monday, according to Archer. The four-year collegiate starter out of Wisconsin should have ample experience as a run blocker, and this trait could give him an advantage in the competition for the Cowboys' No. 2 tight end spot behind Dalton Schultz. Should he remain active, it will be worth monitoring how many snaps Ferguson potentially sees ahead of fellow tight ends Sean McKeon and Jeremy Sprinkle during Dallas' first preseason game Saturday at Denver.

Arizona will continue to have McBride sit out of practice for a couple more days while he deals with back soreness ahead of the team's first preseason game Friday night, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The Cardinals' reluctance to rush McBride back to practice is understandable after the team selected him in the second round of this year's draft. Nevertheless, coach Kliff Kingsbury has been optimistic that the tight end will be available for the team's first preseason matchup against Cincinnati. McBride likely will slot in as Arizona's No. 3 tight end behind Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams, and he should see plenty of run in the exhibition opener if he's available, according to Weinfuss.

Atlanta signed Pruitt on Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Pruitt saw double-digit targets for just the third time in his eight-year career in 2021, turning those 18 looks into a career-high 14 receptions for 145 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. The bad news, though, is that he's joining a tight-end room that's a bit crowded after former quarterback Feleipe Franks made a switch to the position in June. Pruitt will contend with Franks for opportunities behind Kyle Pitts and Anthony Firkser during training camp, but he'll need to make a good impression quickly to snag a spot on the Falcons' initial 53-man roster.

Freiermuth (hamstring) returned to practice Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Out for over a week with hamstring tightness, Freiermuth may be eased back into practice and won't necessarily pay in Saturday's preseason opener against Seattle. He might not have played anyway, with his status as the starting tight end locked up after a rookie campaign with 60 receptions and seven TDs -- rare territory for a first-year TE. The one thing lacking was any impact downfield, with Freiermuth averaging a mere 8.3 yards per catch at an average target depth of 5.8. He did break eight tackles, tied for fourth most among tight ends, so he isn't necessarily destined to be a catch-and-fall guy. It remains to be seen if QB Mitch Trubisky (or rookie Kenny Pickett, eventually) can help Freiermuth produce more big plays in Year 2.

Waller (undisclosed) remained sidelined at Monday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Reed also noted that coach Josh McDaniels hasn't provided specifics about the tight end's injury issue. With that in mind, consider Waller day-to-day in advance of Sunday's preseason game against the Vikings.

Conklin was the most targeted player in Saturday's practice, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Conklin caught seven passes from starting quarterback Zach Wilson, including a touchdown. Coach Robert Saleh has described Conklin's performance in camp as "a pleasant surprise," and Conklin consistently has won 1-on-1 matchups against defenders. Both Conklin and fellow offseason addition C.J. Uzomah are likely to see significant playing time in 2022, but it sounds like the former Vikings tight end thus far has made the stronger impression as a pass catcher.

Brown shed 18 pounds during the offseason, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown said he was motivated to alter his diet after watching film of himself, noting that he was slow and "wasn't athletic." The trimmer Brown has not gone unnoticed by head coach Lovie Smith. "He's listed as a tight end, but he can play in line, he can move out," Smith said. "It's a tough matchup because he has big wide receiver skills. Just another weapon that we have to be able to use." At 6-foot-6, a quicker Brown could be a matchup nightmare for defenders, and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has lined him up against cornerbacks in camp. Working on a one-year contract, Brown acknowledged he's looking for a big payday and multiple years. "I'm trying to get a David Njoku deal after this year," Brown said. To do that, a tight end needs to catch a lot of balls, and Brown feels his new look puts him in a better position to do that. Brevin Jordan is considered the upside fantasy play at tight end for Houston, but Brown should get ample playing time.