NFL Player News

Smith practiced on a limited basis Wednesday due to a knee injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Meanwhile, top tight end Evan Engram (calf) spent the session on a side field with the training staff, and offseason pickup Kyle Rudolph (foot) joined Smith as a limited participant. Assuming Engram is unable to go Sunday against the Broncos, Smith and Rudolph seem poised to work as a tight-end tandem in the Giants' opener.

Engram (calf) didn't practice Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

At Monday's session, there was a glimmer of hope that Engram was taking a step in the right direction by catching passes in pads. However, his calf issue contained him to a side field with the Giants' training staff Wednesday, giving him just two more practices to prove his health. If Engram is unable to go Sunday against the Broncos, Kyle Rudolph (foot, limited) and Kaden Smith (knee, limited) are the prime candidates to cover for him at tight end.

Hockenson (shoulder) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Hockenson suffered an AC joint sprain Aug. 10 and missed the entire preseason, but his availability for Week 1 was never in serious doubt. He's one of the few tight ends with a decent shot to lead his team in targets, albeit in what likely will be a bottom-10 offense. Hockenson and the Lions start off with a tricky matchup, hosting a 49ers defense that has defensive ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford coming off the edge and linebacker Fred Warner covering the middle of the field.

Engram (calf) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The report adds that the tight end will work with the Giants' training staff while his teammates practice Wednesday, and then his status will be revisited Thursday. At this point, Engram looks iffy, at best, for Sunday's season opener against the Broncos.

The Seahawks placed Parkinson (foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, John Boyle of Seahawks.com reports.

During training camp, Parkinson re-injured the same foot that kept him out of the majority of his rookie season, so it's no surprise that the Seahawks are being cautious to start the season. He will only have to miss the first three weeks of the 2021 campaign and will be eligible to return Week 4 if he is healthy.

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Parkinson (foot) won't be ready to return this week, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The Seahawks were hopeful they would get Parkinson back by the start of the regular season, but they will elect to be cautious, as he broke the same foot last year. Tyler Mabry has been promoted to the active roster ahead of Week 1 and will serve as the third tight end behind Will Dissly and Gerald Everett.

The Saints placed Vannett (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Amie Just of NOLA.com reports.

Vannett injured his knee during the Saints' preseason finale against the Jaguars. He will be forced to miss at least the first three weeks of the regular season after being placed on IR. His absence could mean more playing time for Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson.

Andrews agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the Ravens on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 2018 third-round pick was entering the final year of his rookie deal with Baltimore, but he's now been locked up for the foreseeable future. Andrews has caught 156 passes for 2,105 yards and 20 touchdowns across his first three seasons, and he should continue to be a key cog in the Ravens offense and a favorite target of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that Hill won't be the Saints' primary backup quarterback on gamedays due to his other offensive roles and work on special teams, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

One of rookie fourth-round pick Ian Book and Trevor Siemian will instead handle backup duties week-to-week behind Jameis Winston, allowing Payton to utilize Hill freely in the versatile role. Hill is still clearly New Orleans' No. 2 quarterback and will take over starting duties the following week should Winston suffer an injury, but he won't be the in-game replacement in that situation.

Mabry signed a contract with the Seahawks on Monday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Mabry was waived at roster cutdowns but stuck around Seattle on the practice squad, and he didn't have to wait long for to receive a promotion. He would serve as the No. 3 tight end for Week 1 should Colby Parkinson (foot) be unable to take the field.