NFL Player News

James caught four passes for 54 yards in Chicago's 41-15 preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday.

James played with both the starters and reserves, catching passes from both Andy Dalton and Justin Fields, and he was second on the team with five targets. After his second-straight solid performance, he appears to be in the driver's seat to open the season as the team's No. 3 tight end behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham.

Graham recorded one catch on one target for five yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills.

Graham made his debut for the 2021 season, recording his lone catch of the day on the second play of the game. While he recorded 50 receptions and eight touchdowns in 2020, Graham slowly lost snaps to Cole Kmet (hamstring) down the stretch of the regular season. The pair figure to split reps again this season, though Kmet could be in line to take over the majority of the playing time on a more regular basis.

Sweeney (foot) will not play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Bears, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

Sweeney has been sidelined at practice this last week due to a foot injury sustained in the team's preseason opener agaisnt the Lions. He saw 18 offensive snaps in the contest. He is looking to earn a spot on the Bills' 53-man roster providing depth at tight end.

Kmet (hamstring) wasn't in uniform for Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Biggs adding that he expects to see Jimmy Graham play sparingly Saturday, added TE looks figure to be available for Jesse James, Jesper Horsted and Scooter Harrington

Thomas caught one of two targets for 28 yards in Friday's 17-13 preseason win over the Bengals.

The tight end took a short pass for 28 yards on the first snap of the game, with his second target being a third-down incompletion to end the opening drive. Signed to a three-year extension earlier this summer, the late-blooming Thomas enters his age-30 season locked in as Washington's starting tight end. He may even handle a three-down role again, though a repeat of last year's target total (110) seems unlikely after the team bolstered its WR room this offseason. Thomas will open his season with two games in quick succession, with Washington hosting the Chargers on Sept. 12 and the Giants on Sept. 16 (TNF in Week 2).

Wells was signed by Atlanta on Friday, John Deighton of the team's official website reports.

Wells originally signed with Dallas after being passed over in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has since spent time with the Chiefs and Patriots before landing with the Falcons, and he'll now compete for a depth tight end role.

Pederson was waived by the Saints on Friday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Pederson joined the Saints after getting cut by the 49ers earlier in camp. The undrafted rookie was competing for a depth tight end role. He is now set to look for a new landing spot.

Kelce secured his only target for eight yards in the Chiefs' 17-10 preseason win over the Cardinals on Friday night.

Kelce had dealt with some minor back tightness earlier in camp, but he dispelled any doubts about his health by suiting up and playing in Friday's contest. The multi-time Pro Bowler will look to achieve the lofty feat of topping last year's career-best numbers of 105 receptions, 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns while once again serving as one of Patrick Mahomes' top two targets.

Njoku (shoulder) had a good day in camp Friday, beating three separate corners on the second day of the Browns-Giants joint practice, Ellis. L. Williams of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku showed off his athleticism and hesitation moves, getting behind Xavier McKinney and Jabrill Peppers for touchdowns, then running a crisp route against Logan Ryan. The fifth-year tight end missed the preseason opener due to his shoulder injury but he's had a good camp when healthy and appears ready to play preseason Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday afternoon.

Hill will serve as the Saints' second quarterback Monday versus the Jaguars after coach Sean Payton named Jameis Winston the starter for that game, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Hill logged the first three possessions for New Orleans in preseason Week 1, but his stat line (81 yards and one interception) and team output (no points) fell shy of Winston's performance, who led the team to two TDs on five drives. Now Winston will get the first shot with the offense Monday, and more starters will be a part of the action (potentially Alvin Kamara). The competition for the No. 1 QB job between Hill and Winston remains up in the air, but Monday's game could go a long way in Payton's eventual decision.