NFL Player News

Okwuegbunam (knee) declared himself 100 percent healthy Friday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

The second-year pro has made a smooth recovery from Dec. 1 surgery to repair an ACL tear, even participating in padded practices early in training camp. Okwuegbunam is stuck behind Noah Fant on the depth chart, but the fourth-round pick has the talent to be one of the better No. 2 tight ends in the league, with 4.49 speed at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds. Okwuegbunam was promising in his four games last season, catching 11 of 15 targets for 121 yards and a TD.

Gentry couldn't haul in his lone target in the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

Gentry had an opportunity for increased work Thursday with Eric Ebron (elbow) and Pat Freiermuth (shoulder) sidelined, but he failed to make an impact in the preseason opener. The 2019 fifth-rounder missed the final six weeks of the 2020 campaign due to a significant knee injury but is in contention for a 53-man roster spot in 2021, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.

Arnold has shown a good connection with quarterback Sam Darnold during training camp, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Arnold was signed this spring to improve a tight end position that generated minimal production for coordinator Joe Brady last season. The 26-year-old is fresh off career highs with the Cardinals, and despite switching to his third team in five years, Arnold has reportedly built an early rapport with his new quarterback in Carolina. Although the Panthers' top three weapons of Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson should dominate the touches, Arnold has a good chance to emerge as the team's fourth option this season.

Schultz secured one of two targets for 15 yards during the Cowboys' 16-3 preseason loss to the Steelers in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

Schultz opened the game with Garrett Gilbert operating as his quarterback and was productive on the one grab he was able to make. The 2018 fourth-round pick turned in an impressive 63-615-4 line across 16 games last season following Blake Jarwin's Week 1 season-ending knee injury, and with the latter being handled with care this summer, Schultz is still slated to see a solid amount of work in practices and preseason contests for the time being.

Freiermuth (shoulder) doesn't appear as if he'll play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The Steelers are taking a prudent approach with the rookie second-rounder after he injured his left shoulder at Tuesday's practice. Freiermuth's pro debut thus will have to wait until preseason Week 1 next Thursday in Philadelphia, at the earliest.

Conklin (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Conklin was held out Monday through Wednesday with a minor injury. His cameo in the No. 2 TE spot went well at the end of last season, and he now figures to handle that role on a more permanent basis after the Vikings parted ways with Kyle Rudolph in the offseason. Conklin could even have mainstream fantasy relevance at some point this year if starting tight end Irv Smith misses time.

Hollister returned to practice Thursday after injuring his back on the first day of training camp practice last Thursday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

The veteran and former college teammate of quarterback Josh Allen can now get back to work and try to secure his No. 2 tight end status behind starter Dawson Knox.

Wolf did not practice Thursday due to an ankle issue, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Wolf is aiming to secure a depth role in New Orleans' tight end room, so he can't afford to miss much time due to injury. Since going undrafted back in 2018, Wolf has yet to make his NFL debut.

Hooper didn't participate in practice Wednesday due to an illness, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

There's been little buzz out of Browns camp regarding the team's tight ends, but the depth chart should remain the same entering the 2021 season. Hooper will top the chart, followed by Harrison Bryant and David Njoku, in that order.

Smith recorded two touchdowns in practice Wednesday and may be in store for an increased red-zone role in 2021, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Kyle Rudolph left in free agency in the offseason, giving Smith an opportunity to pick up more work inside the 20-yard line. While head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in the summer that Smith's role may not change much sans Randolph and that Tyler Conklin would instead see a bigger boost in opportunity as the second tight end, it's possible that Smith takes over as the main red-zone target at the position. Rudolph produced 15 touchdowns between 2016 and 2017, though it's worth noting that he holds a four-inch advantage in height over Smith. Regardless, Smith's usage will be something to monitor in the preseason.