NFL Player News

Cleveland tight ends coach Drew Petzing praised Njoku's work during training camp, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Njoku, who hooked up on a long completion with quarterback Baker Mayfield early in Friday's practice, has flown under the radar the first days of camp. Over the last few years, it's no secret he wanted a more involved role, but Petzing is pleased with the fifth-year veteran's attitude. "He has been great," Petzing said. "The funny thing is I know there has been a lot of noise on the outside, my experience with him really from the day I got here has been very positive. In terms of the way the kid works, he prepares and the product he puts on the field, it has been awesome." Despite Petzing's praise, Njoku is expected to slot third on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant.

Pederson signed with the Saints on Friday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Pederson originally signed with the the 49ers in May as an undrafted free agent. However, the team ultimately opted to let him go earlier in the week. The Louisiana Monroe product will now look to make an impression back home in New Orleans.

There's an expectation Waller (undisclosed) returns to practice "soon," Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Sidelined from back-to-back training camp sessions earlier this week, Waller seemingly is tending to an unknown injury or ailment, which will be behind him in short order. Over the last two seasons, he's established himself as one of the most reliable performers at tight end, averaging 6.2 catches on 8.2 targets for 73.2 yards yards per game while scoring 12 touchdowns in 32 contests.

Hooper (illness) returned to practice Friday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Hooper was out for only one or two days. He was disappointing for fantasy managers last season, unable to overcome the challenge of joining a new team with a new coaching staff in a year without spring practices or preseason games. However, Hooper had a better year from the Browns' standpoint, with competent blocking helping the team's prolific rushing attack and a late flurry of receiving production contributing to a playoff appearance. He's locked in as a starter for the second season of a four-year, $42 million contract, but there's no guarantee of improvement on his 2020 average of 5.4 targets per game, considering the Browns also have David Njoku and Harrison Bryant at tight end, not to mention WR Odell Beckham returning from an ACL tear. On the other hand, Hooper does have plenty of room to improve his efficiency after posting career lows for both catch rate (65.7 percent) and yards per target (6.2) last season. He had a 77.3 percent catch rate and 8.1 YPT in four years with the Falcons.

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.