NFL Player News

Njoku (shoulder) hired a new agent, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku signed with Malki Kawa of First Round Management, who had previously been the player's agent until the tight end left him for Drew Rosenhaus last summer. At the time, Njoku wanted out of Cleveland, requested a trade, and felt Rosenhaus could deliver on that demand. The Browns refused to budge and kept Njoku while exercising the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. A lot has changed since then, most notably the Browns are a postseason contender and building something in Cleveland. Kawa said he'll do what he can to get Njoku with the Browns long term, and that the player would like to work something out with the team. Njoku's currently listed as second on the depth chart, but it's more of a co-second along with Harrison Bryant.

Smith (foot/ankle) exited Sunday's practice early, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Reiss notes that the tight end "got tangled up with a defensive back in a low-speed 1-on-1 drill, landed a bit awkwardly, and limped off" during the session. Given that Smith didn't end up returning to the field, we'll consider him day-to-day for now. Meanwhile, fellow free-agent addition Hunter Henry (shoulder) returned to practice Sunday.

Brown did not play in Saturday's 26-7 win over the Packers in preseason Week 1.

It looked like Brown was going to start the contest after Jordan Akins (leg) was injured earlier in the week, but the decision was made to hold him out. After showing promise when promoted from the practice squad last season, Brown has been the best tight end in camp and was given a starter's treatment for the preseason opener. Akins was the presumed No. 1, but Brown was the top dog on the unofficial depth chart entering the game.

Trautman played 16 snaps without seeing a target in Saturday's preseason loss to Baltimore, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

It's a disappointing start to the preseason for a second-year breakout candidate, especially given that Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston attempted 12 passes apiece. Of course, it's still a small sample from an exhibition contest, so the broader case for Trautman remains the same. The 2020 third-round pick is hoping to become one of the Saints' top pass catchers, particularly while WR Michael Thomas rehabs from ankle surgery early in the season. We'll hope to see a busier outing from Trautman when the Saints face the Jaguars on Aug. 23 in their second preseason game.

Kmet caught one of two targets for three yards in Saturday's preseason win over Miami.

The Bears opened in a two-WR, two-TE formation with Kmet, TE Jimmy Graham, RB David Montgomery, WR Darnell Mooney and WR Damiere Byrd. It should be a common look for them this season, albeit with Allen Robinson instead of Byrd in the WR1 spot. The team's decision to retain Graham put a major ding in Kmet's breakout case, but the 2020 second-round pick still has a chance to take a big step forward, playing in an offense that's doesn't have much at wide receiver behind Robinson/Mooney. In fact, Kmet accounted for two of Andy Dalton's four passes Saturday afternoon, while rookie QB Justin Fields mostly threw to his WRs and RBs. The Bears' next preseason game is Aug. 21 against Buffalo, and their regular-season opener is Sept. 12 at the Rams.

Henry (shoulder) was spotted at practice Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen if Henry will be considered a full participant, but his presence on the field gives him a chance to return to game action as soon Thursday against the Eagles. This coming season, Henry and fellow free-agent newcomer Jonnu Smith are in line to work in tandem as a one-two punch in a New England attack that figures to use plenty of multi-TE formations.

Njoku (shoulder) did not play in Saturday's 23-13 win over the Jaguars in preseason Week 1.

Njoku sustained a shoulder injury this week and subsequently participated only in individual drills leading up to the game. While the Browns sat many of their starting offensive weapons, he isn't considered to be part of that class and likely would have played if not banged-up.

Hill completed eight of 12 passes for 81 yards and an interception in Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to the Ravens. He didn't register a rushing attempt.

Hill has been alternating first-team work with Jameis Winston in practice but got the starting nod in this one and played the first three possessions. He led the Saints inside Baltimore's 10-yard line on a strong opening drive that was spoiled by Latavius Murray's fumble, but Hill was picked off on his second drive and almost threw another interception on the next possession, which ended in a punt. Winston then played the final five possessions of the first half, leading a pair of touchdown drives before capping his night with an interception of his own. Winston probably came out ahead here, but the quarterback competition in New Orleans remains far from settled heading into a preseason Week 2 clash with the Jaguars.

Carlson (knee) left the Browns' preseason game against the Jaguars on Saturday and is officially out for the remainder of the game, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Carlson hurt his knee on a bobbled catch he made in the first half of the game. The third-year tight end played in all 16 games for the Browns last season, primarily on special teams, and as long as his injury isn't serious his contributions to special teams should give him a good chance at making the roster.

Kittle is not expected to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

It is not believed that Kittle is dealing with any sort of injury, so it seems likely he is simply getting a chance to rest. A foot injury cost Kittle half the 2020 campaign, so expect the 49ers to be cautious with him leading up to Week 1.