NFL Player News

Gesicki impressed as a pass catcher in practice Tuesday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Gesicki drew mixed reviews early in training camp but now appears to have gained some momentum. The second-year player hauled in at least one touchdown Tuesday among his numerous catches, while his main threat for reps at tight end, Dwayne Allen (knee), participated in his first set of 11-on-11 drills. The opportunity is there for Gesicki to earn himself a three-down role in Miami if he logs an impressive preseason, but consistently flashing in the passing game and demonstrating progress as a blocker will be essential to his efforts to secure playing time.

Derby signed a contract with the Saints on Wednesday, Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Derby is present for the Saints' practice Wednesday, so an official announcement of his signing should be only a matter of time. The veteran tight end missed most of the 2018 campaign in Miami due to a lingering foot injury, and will now work to carve out a depth role with the Saints.

Allen (knee) participated in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday for the first time during training camp, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Allen began camp on the PUP list and has been steadily working to get back to full health. His involvement in team work is another notable step in the right direction, but the Dolphins haven't formally committed to the veteran tight end being ready to go for the regular season. When healthy, Allen projects to serve as the Dolphins' starting tight end, though he may mostly be tasked with run-blocking work whenever he's on the field.

Seals-Jones' practice Monday was abbreviated due to a hand injury, but he returned for Tuesday's session, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Seals-Jones doesn't boast the greatest career catch rate (47.4 percent), but his quarterback situation through two campaigns has been less than ideal. In 2019, he'll be working with 2019 first overall pick Kyler Murray, with only Charles Clay in Seals-Jones' path to reps. And Clay has yet to practice in training camp, as he resides on the PUP list due to a knee injury. As such, Seals-Jones is poised to work with the first-team offense in the Cardinals' preseason opener Thursday against the Chargers.

The Buccaneers released Niklas (leg) with an injury settlement Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction report.

Niklas suffered tough luck this offseason, when he sustained a leg injury in the first training camp practice July 29. The 26-year-old was already placed on injured reserve by the Buccaneers and is now free to sign with any team.

Truesdell was let go by the Jets on Tuesday, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Truesdell was the odd man out after a trade that saw Alex Lewis land in the Big Apple was finally made official. The 29-year-old spent last season on the Vikings' practice squad, and his chances are slim to make an NFL roster at this stage of his career.

Butler (hip) was able to take the field for Tuesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Butler was forced to leave Thursday's practice early due to the hip injury but seems to have recovered. The undrafted rookie is still stuck in a logjam at the tight end position, as he attempts to make the 53-man roster.

Sternberger is being evaluated for a concussion, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Sternberger was originally cleared to return to practice Monday after taking a big hit from the Texans defensive back Lonnie Johnson, but now, with concussion-like symptoms surfacing, the Packers will hold the rookie tight end out of practice for now. If he does have a concussion, he will have to clear the NFL's protocol before returning to the field.

Waller (shoulder) took part in individual drills Tuesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

The report adds that the Raiders plan to hold Waller out of intrasquad practices with Rams. On the plus side, however, Eddie Paskal of the team's official site notes that Waller -- who is listed as the Raiders' top tight end on their posted depth chart -- has been "one of the team's most reliable playmakers" in training camp. The 26-year-old was limited to six catches in four games with Oakland last season, but with Jared Cook no longer in the mix, there's an opportunity for the athletic Waller to carve out out a key role in the team's passing offense in 2019.

Knox remains out with a hamstring injury with no firm timetable for a return, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Coach Sean McDermott at least sounded optimistic the injury was improving, but it's starting to be quite costly for the rookie third-rounder. Knox had been seeing first-team reps due to starter Tyler Kroft being out with a broken foot, but most of that pass-catching work has been going to fellow rookie Tommy Sweeney since Knox went down at the end of July.