NFL Player News

Sternberger has been placed on the Packers' reserve/COVID-19 list, Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin reports.

That means that Sternberger either tested positive for the virus or has been in close contact with someone who did. With Jimmy Graham having departed in free agency, Sternberger is candidate to see expanded duties at tight end for the Packers this coming season.

The Bears placed Saubert (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The transaction indicates that Saubert has either tested positive for COVID-19 or is quarantining after coming into close contact with someone who has. He's fighting for a roster spot in Chicago's overflowing tight-end room.

The Brownss" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="NFL" data-team-abbreviation="CLE">Browns placed Brown (foot) on the active/PUP list Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The nature and severity of Brown's foot injury remains unknown, but he'll now need to gain medical clearance before joining teammates at practice. He's competing for a depth roster spot in Cleveland's crowded tight-end room behind Austin Hooper, David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.

Hockenson (ankle) was placed on the Lions' reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Hockenson's placement on the list mans that he has either tested positive for COVID-19 or has been in close contact with an infected person. The 2019 first-round pick -- who is also bouncing back from an ankle injury -- is in line to serve as the Lions' top tight end in 2020.

Thomas was placed on Washington's reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Thomas' placement on the list doesn't necessarily indicate that he has COVID-19, as the list was created by the league for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been been in close contact with an infected person or persons. The 29-year-old is slated to compete for Washington's starting job at tight end.

Engram (foot) is healthy for the start of training camp, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram had Lisfranc surgery in December, but he indicated at the time that he wasn't dealing with a "full-blown tear," and he seems to have avoided the lengthy rehab process that Eagles wideout Alshon Jeffery is contending with. In any case, the Giants picked up the fifth-year option on Engram's rookie contract, keeping him under team control through 2021. He's been a solid fantasy starter throughout his career in terms of per-game production, but injuries limited the tight end to 19 appearances over the past two years.

Alie-Cox (undisclosed) has been placed on the Colts' Active/PUP list.

Once he's able to return to practice, Alie-Cox, who caught eight passes for 93 yards in 16 games last season, will look to secure a reserve tight end slot on the team behind Jack Doyle and Trey Burton.

Sweeney has been placed on the Active/PUP list due to a foot injury, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

The second-year tight end has some work to do to gain some form of meaningful role in the Buffalo offense now that Tyler Kroft is healthy again and set to compete with Dawson Knox for the top TE spot. We'll see if Sweeney can get back at it in relatively short order so he can stake his claim to the No. 3 role.

49ers GM John Lynch says Kittle plans to attend training camp, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Entering the final season of his rookie contract, Kittle has a rock-solid argument for the largest payday an NFL tight end has ever seen. Lynch says communications with Kittle's agent have been productive so far, apparently inspiring confidence that a deal will be reached soon enough. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel (foot) is in danger of missing the start of the season, potentially creating an opportunity for Kittle to handle an even larger target share than usual.

Swaim (concussion/ankle) is set to have a tryout and physical with the Texans on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Swaim was placed on IR by the Jaguars last October due to a concussion and ankle injury. There has yet to be an update on his status, so his upcoming physical will bring more clarity to his current health.