NFL Player News

The Seahawks "fully expect" Dissly (Achilles) to be healthy in time for Week 1 of the 2020 season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Dissly suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in early October, marking the second consecutive campaign in which he sustained a season-ending injury. Though the 23-year-old still has a long road ahead in his recovery, he appears to be making significant progress and has a real shot at returning to full health in time for the 2020 opener. With Seattle having inked veteran tight end Greg Olsen to a one-year deal, however, Dissly could have to settle for a smaller role than he enjoyed the past two seasons prior to getting hurt.

Hollister may still fit in the Seahawks' plans, despite the team's recent signing of Greg Olsen, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Traded from New England to Seattle last spring, Hollister opened the 2019 campaign on the practice squad and eventually stepped in as the No. 1 tight end after Will Dissly tore his Achilles' tendon in October. Hollister caught 41 passes over the final 10 games of the regular season, but he averaged just 8.5 yards per catch and 5.9 per target, with a long gain of 22 yards. Olsen should now step in as Russell Wilson's favorite tight end, while Hollister likely will occupy a depth role if the Seahawks keep him around. The 26-year-old becomes a restricted free agent in March.

Dissly (Achilles) is in danger of losing his No. 1 tight-end job after Greg Olsen signed with the Seahawks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Dissly seems to be making solid progress in his recovery, and it's possible that he'll be ready for Week 1. Still, with back-to-back, season-ending injuries -- he suffered a patella tear in 2018 -- over his first two years in the league, there are legitimate questions about whether he can return to his former production. The 23-year-old tight end has recorded 418 receiving yards and six touchdowns over 10 career games, and even if he gets back to full strength, Olsen's arrival lowers Dissly's ceiling.

Firkser agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with the Titans on Thursday, Paul Kuharsky of 104.5 The Zone Nashville reports.

Despite operating as Tennessee's No. 2 tight end behind Jonnu Smith last season, Firkser was a key contributor for the Titans and has been rewarded with another offseason to develop with the team. He hauled in 14 of 24 targets for 204 yards and one score across 15 regular-season games in 2019, in addition to hauling in a 22-yard touchdown during the AFC Championship Game loss to Kansas City. He was set to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

Hill said he'll leave New Orleans if he doesn't eventually get a chance to start at quarterback, Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press reports.

Hill presumably understands that he won't have a shot at the starting job until Drew Brees decides to retire, something that hasn't officially been determined but doesn't seem likely to happen this offseason. Hill may be hinting at a desire to replace Teddy Bridgewater -- an impending free agent -- as the No. 2 quarterback, though it would be tricky for the 29-year-old to take on that responsibility while also handling his accustomed roles as a gadget player on offense and a member of multiple special teams units. For what it's worth, former Saints special teams coach Mike Westhoff told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio that he expects Hill to be the eventual successor to Brees in New Orleans. Hill is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this offseason, and the Saints presumably will use a first- or second-round tender to provide some protection from offer sheets.

Thomas is expected to replace Greg Olsen as the Panthers' starting tight end, ESPN.com's David Newton reports.

The 2018 fourth-round pick already has seen plenty of playing time in the NFL, thanks in no small part to Olsen's late-career health struggles. Thomas has had his own struggles with drops (three each season) and blocking, but he's an excellent athlete -- 4.74 40-yard dash, 36-inch vertical at 259 pounds -- who will be just 24 years old for the entire 2020 campaign. He's also shown glimpses of fantasy production in his 10 career games with two-thirds or more of offensive snaps, averaging 4.0 catches for 39.4 yards and 0.3 touchdowns (9.7 PPR points) on 5.9 targets. The Panthers may bring in a draft pick and/or veteran to compete for snaps, but Thomas should at least have some chance to secure a three-down role. Meanwhile, Olsen is expected to visit with Buffalo, Washington and Seattle in the coming weeks.

Kittle said Wednesday that he doesn't expect to undergo any offseason surgeries, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kittle toughed it out through a number of injuries during the past season -- including a torn labrum in his right shoulder that's bothered him since the 2018 preseason -- but he anticipates requiring "just rehab" to get healthy this offseason. Coming off back-to-back years of at least 80 catches, 1,000 yards and five touchdowns, the 26-year-old tight end's priority will be getting back to 100 percent health in time to kick off the 2020 campaign. Kittle is expected to be a full participant in both OTAs and training camp.

Fortson signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on Tuesday, according to the NFL's official transaction report.

Fortson spent time with the Chiefs during the preseason and then spent the season on the practice squad. He'll now get a chance to develop in the Chiefs system this offseason as he looks to crack the 53-man roster in the fall.

Kelce brought in all six of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown during the Chiefs' 31-20 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday.

Kelce's reception tally was second only to Tyreek Hill on the night, and his one-yard touchdown grab with 6:13 remaining officially began the Chiefs' comeback from a 20-10 deficit. Kelce earned every reception he secured against the 49ers' stingy defense, and even though he was largely held in check over the final two postseason wins, the multi-time Pro Bowler was spectacular during the regular season with a 97-1,229-5 line across 16 games. Signed through the 2021 campaign, Kelce will look to help Kansas City defend its title next season.

Kittle caught four of seven targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 31-20 Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

Kittle, who has played through a torn labrum in his right shoulder since the 2018 preseason, was held to a modest receiving line for the third time in as many playoff games. Over the 49ers' last three contests, the star tight end compiled just eight catches for 71 yards without a touchdown -- a shocking contrast compared to his regular-season production, as Kittle logged 85 catches for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns across 14 such games. The 26-year-old will benefit from a full offseason to get healthy, and he remains a virtual lock to enter the 2020 season among the coveted top tier of fantasy tight ends despite coming off a quiet postseason stretch.