NFL Player News

Gesicki caught all three of his targets for 59 total yards during Thursday's 22-7 win over the Jaguars.

Gesicki made the most of his opportunities Thursday, kickstarting the Miami offense with a 28-yard catch-and-run to set up the first of two second-quarter field goals and then slipping behind his defender for a 29-yard catch downfield on the way to Miami's touchdown drive to open the second half. The Dolphins are not short on potential at receiver, but Gesicki offers some unique athleticism at tight end and should play an intriguing role no matter who is throwing him passes. Offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea, who has spent the past decade in New England, probably has an idea or two on how to use a tight end of Gesicki's skill set.

Ertz caught his lone target for 13 yards in Thursday's 26-15 preseason loss to the Ravens.

Starting quarterback Carson Wentz got the night off, but Ertz suited up and hauled in a pass from Cody Kessler on the opening drive. The star tight end will sit out Week 4 of preseason to get ready for a Week 1 home tilt against the Redskins.

Engram caught his lone target for nine yards in Thursday's 25-23 preseason win over the Bengals.

Engram got in his first and last action of the exhibition slate, as New York doesn't want to risk another injury to a pass-catching option with Golden Tate (suspension) already unavailable for four weeks and Sterling Shepard (thumb) still working his way back. The talented tight end will sit out Week 4 of the preseason before likely seeing all the volume he can handle once the games start to count.

Graham (finger) will join 33 Packers players on the sidelines for Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Even if Graham's finger injury allowed him to play Thursday, the field conditions in Winnipeg resulted in head coach Matt LaFleur sitting the bulk of his starters. Marcedes Lewis and Jace Sternberger will also sit out, so Robert Tonya, Evan Baylis and Pharoah McKever should take the reps at tight end.

Engram appears on track to see some snaps in Thursday's preseason game against the Bengals, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Engram has yet to play this preseason, but he wasn't on the list of players reportedly not expected to play Thursday, so it looks as though the tight end is on track to see some tune-up action in the Giants' third preseason tilt.

Kittle (calf) returned to practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It looked like Kittle might sit this one out, but he's back on the field after missing some time with calf tightness. For his part, the tight end noted Thursday that he has no doubt he'll be ready for Week 1 action. On the heels of an 88-catch, 1,377-yard effort last season, Kittle profiles as a top-flight fantasy TE, in an elite tier that also includes Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz.

Kittle (calf) isn't expected to practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Initially deemed day-to-day with calf tightness, Kittle has been absent from practice for more than a week, also sitting out Monday's preseason win over the Broncos. There hasn't been any suggestion of his Week 1 availability being in danger, but he'll likely miss Saturday's exhibition matchup with the Rams.

Schultz (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday, the Cowboys' official site reports.

Schultz played 27 offensive snaps during the preseason opener but hasn't practiced in almost two weeks due to the ankle sprain. Codey McElroy (neck) and Blake Jarwin (ankle) are also managing injuries, leaving the Cowboys short on tight end depth.

Fant (ankle) is expected to suit up for Denver's regular-season opener against the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

The Broncos are viewing Fant as day-to-day after he sustained a minor right ankle sprain during Monday's exhibition contest against the 49ers. While it's positive news that the rookie tight end will likely be ready to go for Week 1, his capped reps late in the preseason could result in him handling a more limited role than initially projected early in the regular season as he works his way back to full strength.

Kroft (foot) won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Lions, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Kroft is said to be making good progress from his broken foot, but he's starting to run out of time to make it back for Week 1 of the regular season. Already on the preseason PUP list, Kroft is a strong candidate to eventually move to the regular-season version of that list, which would prevent him from practicing or playing in the first six weeks.