NFL Player News

Coach Pete Carroll singled Everett out as a potential breakout candiate when asked on Thursday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Per Liz Matthews of USA Today, Carroll indicated that Everett has brought some added speed and route-running ability to the position the Seahawks have been lacking. Everett will have to contend with Will Dissly for reps, but he'll likely be the favorite to stay on the field in single-tight-end sets given the team's investment in him this offseason.

Henry turned in a good performance during the Patriots' three-day minicamp, which concluded Wednesday, Mike Dussault of the team's official site reports.

Per the report, Henry, who joined the Patriots as a free agent in March, was "catching everything thrown his way" throughout the team's recent mandatory minicamp. Meanwhile, fellow newcomer Jonnu Smith appeared to tweak a hamstring and was "mostly a spectator," but both players should be available the next time the Patriots practice. By signing each of the duo to lucrative contracts, the team seems destined to employ plenty of multi-TE formations this coming season, a context that should allow both Henry and Smith to carve out fantasy value, though their target distribution figures to vary from week to week.

Smith (hamstring) won't participate in Tuesday's minicamp practice, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Smith's absence doesn't come as a surprise after he sustained a left hamstring strain in the Patriots' first minicamp session Monday. The Patriots will wrap up their camp Wednesday, so it may be a challenge for Smith to gain clearance for that workout, too. He should be back to full health ahead of training camp in late July, however.

Smith departed Monday's practice early due to an apparent hamstring injury and did not return, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports.

It was Smith's first time on the practice field in front of reporters this offseason, and he dropped a couple of passes prior to his departure. It doesn't sound as though the hamstring issue is believed to be very serious, so he could be back in practice relatively soon. Of course, it's possible the team will take the cautious route and hold him out of the remainder of this week's minicamp, which then would push his return to training camp in July.

Sternberger was suspended for the first two games of the 2021 season Thursday for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

According to Sternberger's personal twitter account, the suspension stems from an incident in 2020. The Texas A&M product recorded just 12 catches last year, and he's destined for a depth role again in 2021 behind Robert Tonyan. Sternberger will be eligible to return to the team following Week 2's Monday night clash with Detroit.

Henry departed Thursday's OTA with an apparent left ankle or foot injury and had to get it retaped by the trainer, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. He didn't return to the session.

Given that Henry didn't leave the field for testing, it seems likely the issue is relatively minor in nature. Barring word to the contrary, Henry's next opportunity to retake the field arrives Friday in the team's last OTA before the start of mandatory minicamp next week.

Pitts should work as Atlanta's No. 2 pass catcher from the get-go now that the team has traded Julio Jones to the Titans, ESPN.com reports.

There was some concern about Pitts' target volume when he was selected fourth overall in the 2021 draft to join an offense that was expected to feature two of the league's top receivers in Jones and Calvin Ridley. But Jones' departure should help Pitts immediately carve out a role as the top complement to Ridley. The highly skilled tight end figures to be among the top receiving threats at his position right away. Pitts often was split out wide near the goal line to catch fade routes in the end zone at Florida, and such usage could now be an option as well with no established No. 2 wide receiver on Atlanta's roster.

Pruitt agreed to a contract with the 49ers on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 29-year-old tight end will be moving on to his fifth organization since entering the NFL in 2015 as a fifth-round pick. He spent the past season with the Titans, filling a depth role and recording five receptions for 49 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He'll add some more depth to the 49ers' tight end room heading into training camp.

Helm was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old re-signed with San Francisco in mid-March but won't remain with the team through the offseason. Helm made his NFL debut in 2020 and wasn't targeted in five games.

The Eagles don't plan to release Ertz but are still trying to trade him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Whether or not it's true, the Eagles have more leverage in trade negotiations if other teams believe they're willing to hold on to Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowler coming off the worst season of an eight-year career. While his non-guaranteed $8.5 million base salary suggests a release is still possible, the Eagles might actually consider keeping the 30-year-old tight end if they can't find a decent return in a trade. Dallas Goedert may be ready for the No. 1 TE role in Philadelphia, but that doesn't mean Ertz can't still contribute in multi-TE formations. For fantasy purposes, a trade would be best for both Ertz and Goedert.