NFL Player News

Everett made a strong impression throughout the offseason program, including an emphasis on improving as a blocker, Clarence Dennis of the Rams' official website reports. "I think the game's slowing down for [Everett]," coach Sean McVay said. "He's playing with some patience, he's got great aggressive hands where he can step to the football. I think you're just seeing a guy gain confidence, gain experience."

Already the team's best pass-catching threat at tight end, Everett should push for Tyler Higbee's starting job if he narrows the gap in blocking ability. The 2017 second-round pick came on strong in the second half of last season, with 23 of his 33 receptions and all three of his touchdowns occurring in a seven-week span during November and December. The Rams used more two-TE formations during that stretch in an effort to compensate for the absence of Cooper Kupp (knee), who tentatively is expected back for Week 1 of 2019. It's difficult for the Rams tight ends to account for more than a handful of targets per game when Kupp, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Todd Gurley all are available.

Hewitt signed a contract with the Titans on Thursday.

Hewitt's last NFL action came with the Colts, where he appeared in 12 games but caught just one pass, which was a one-yard touchdown in the team's season regular season finale against Tennessee. Delanie Walker has the No. 1 tight end spot locked up in Tennessee, leaving Hewitt to battle for a backup role.

Hollister is making a good impression on offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, John Boyle of Seahawks.com reports. "Terrific acquisition, he has had a great camp," Schottenheimer said. "The speed element is awesome, really good route runner. A lot like Tyler [Lockett] in terms of the instincts, just the ability to get open."

The Lockett comparison is a bit much, but Schottenheimer at least is making his point that Hollister brings a different element to the Seattle tight end room, as none of the other healthy players is a natural pass catcher. The team does hope to have Will Dissly (knee) back for Week 1, and blocking may be more of a priority than receiving ability in a run-heavy offense. Hollister presumably is competing for a part-time role on passing downs, after coming over from New England in April in a trade for a conditional seventh-round pick. He'll need to battle for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Kittle isn't participating in minicamp drills Wednesday due to hip tightness, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle's injury isn't believed to be anything major, as the tight end was able to practice through the issue Tuesday, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if Kittle gets Thursday off as well.

Kelce (ankle) is on track to return to action during training camp, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

A spectator throughout the offseason program, Kelce will be about six months removed from ankle surgery when the Chiefs open training camp in late July. He downplayed the severity of his procedure, referring to it as a "clean-up" one during an April interview. The 29-year-old hasn't missed a game for medical reasons since a knee injury wiped out his rookie campaign in 2013.

Dissly (kneecap) is on schedule in his recovery and could be a full go a few weeks into training camp, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

This is positive news for a player whose training camp availability was murky at best. Dissly was able to resume running May 1 and seems to be staying on track with his recovery from a torn patellar tendon. Expect the team to give out a much more definitive timetable for the tight end's return once training camp nears. A healthy Dissly will need to recover in full to also hold off Nick Vannett and Ed Dickson for snaps this season.

Engram has been sidelined during offseason workouts due to a minor hamstring injury, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Head coach Pat Shurmur and the Giants don't appear overly concerned with Engram's health; they are just being cautious with the tight end after he dealt with a hamstring injury for most of last season. Shurmur said Tuesday that they are being "smart" with Engram, but the expectation is that he will be good to go by the time training camp rolls around.

McKever was claimed by the Packers on Monday, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

McKever was waived by the Jaguars last week, but it didn't take him long to find a new home. The tight end was signed by the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State. The Packers now have six tight ends on their roster.

Head coach Dan Quinn said that Hooper (ankle) will not partake in mandatory minicamp this week, but he will be a "full go" for training camp this summer, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Hooper's absence from minicamp stands as a precautionary measure, with the team aiming to avoid unnecessary risk to his recently tweaked ankle. The indication from coach Quinn is that the issue is minor, and the fourth-year tight end should be fully healthy by the time team activities begin ramping back up in July. So long as he is operating near 100 percent, Hooper is likely to remain a viable starter in fantasy. Working within one of the NFL's most potent passing attacks last season, he finished tied for seventh among tight ends with 13 red-zone targets.

McKever was waived by the Jaguars on Friday, Phillip Heilman of The Florida Times-Union reports.

McKever originally signed a reserve/future contract with the Jaguars back in late December. He was waived Friday to create a roster spot for offensive lineman Andrew Lauderdale, who was claimed off waivers by the team.