NFL Player News

Hudson is considered the favorite to secure the fourth tight end job heading into the 2021 season, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old is expected to hold off the likes of Codey McElroy and journeyman Jerell Adams for the job barring any training camp/preseason surprises. Hudson has cobbled together a 5-67 line on 12 targets over the last two seasons, and even though he's displayed some impressive athleticism down the seam in limited action, it would presumably take an injury to the top trio of Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard (Achilles) and Cameron Brate (undisclosed) for him to have any chance at a consistent weekly role that would afford him even modest fantasy value.

Deguara was placed on the Active/PUP-List Friday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

No surprise here, as Deguara is returning from an ACL injury that ended his rookie campaign after just two weeks. Prior to the injury, he saw a substantial amount of first-team reps. In his absence, Robert Tonyan proceeded to enjoy a breakout season and will enter 2021as the team's No. 1 tight end. However, Deguara does not project as a traditional tight end, as he is expected to display his versatitlity in the backfield, on the line and even in the slot. Still, it remains to be seen how close he is to returning to full-contact work.

Wells signed a contract with the Patriots on Friday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Wells spent time on New England's practice squad last season, but he's still yet to actually make his NFL debut. He'll now get a chance to continue his development with the team during training camp.

The Patriots placed Keene (undisclosed) on the PUP list Thursday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Keene can be activated from the PUP list at any time during training camp, but given that he's coming off an unimpressive three-catch rookie season, it will be somewhat concerning if he has to miss a significant number of practices. With Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith having joined New England's tight end corps in free agency, it will be pivotal for Keene to make the most of every opportunity he's given through training camp and the Patriots' preseason slate.

Shultz will compete with fellow tight end Blake Jarwin, who appears ready for the start of training camp after suffering a torn ACL in Week 1 last season, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jarwin suffered the injury six months after signing a three-year extension, so the team still has some investment in him even after a lost season. His absence opened the door for Schultz to see 89 targets, but the 2018 fourth-round pick finished with a modest receiving line (63-615-4), as big plays were few and far between. The two now figure to compete for a starting job this summer, and it's possible the Cowboys ultimately settle on a committee approach at tight end.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce told NFL Films that Waller is "knocking at the door," adding that he can "feel [Waller] on my heels."

Kelce remains widely acknowledged as the cream of the crop at his position, but he knows Waller and 49ers tight end George Kittle aren't far behind. Waller even reached a new level over the final five weeks of last season, averaging 8.6 catches for 130.8 yards and 0.8 touchdowns on 11.0 targets per game. He'll again be the top receiving threat in Las Vegas, where John Brown, Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow top the depth chart at wide receiver.

Deguara (knee) may have progressed far enough in his recovery from a torn ACL to participate in the beginning of training camp, Jason Wilde of the Lacrosse Tribune reports.

Deguara handled a substantial amount of first-team reps as a rookie last offseason, but a torn ACL ended his inaugural NFL campaign after just two games. On the bright side, the timing of Deguara's injury should allow him to fully recover by Week 1. Deguara and teammate David Bakhtiari (knee), who is also working his way back from a torn ACL, did rehab work together during OTAs earlier this offseason.

Ertz is willing to play for the Eagles and plans to report for the start of training camp, Howard Eskin of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

This doesn't preclude a trade, but the report suggests Ertz won't hold out or otherwise be too disgruntled if he remains with the Eagles. Outplayed by Dallas Goedert during an ineffective and injury-plagued 2020 campaign, Ertz has one season remaining on his contract and appears to be a questionable fit on a rebuilding team with a new coaching staff. It's still far from a sure thing that he plays for the Eagles, though this latest report suggests it's a real possibility.

Firkser is in line for a much larger role this season, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Wyatt adds that Firkser showed up for the offseason program in great shape and made a strong impression around the team facility. Wideouts A.J. Brown and Julio Jones will of course account for a huge share of the targets in Tennessee, but Firkser nonetheless has a great opportunity ahead of him after the team declined to sign or draft a replacement for Jonnu Smith, who is now with the Patriots. Even when Smith was around, the Titans often preferred to use Firkser in obvious passing situations, primarily lining him up in the slot (where he ran 71 percent of routes last year, per Pro Football Focus). Those passing-down snaps are plenty valuable, but Firkser also will need more early down, in-line work to achieve a true fantasy breakout in 2021. It's possible that happens, considering Geoff Swaim (484 yards in 53 career games) is the only other tight end on Tennessee's roster with an NFL reception to his name.

Smith (hamstring) is expected to be available when the Patriots open training camp next week, Nick O'Malley of Masslive.com reports.

Smith missed most of minicamp due to a hamstring injury, but the Patriots' high profile free-agent addition is now poised to get back into the mix for training camp. His addition, along with the team's signing of Hunter Henry, effectively re-makes New England's tight end corps, with the versatile Smith likely to be a key target for whoever ends up being the franchise's starting QB in 2021.