NFL Player News

Gathers will likely be competing with rookie Dalton Schultz for a spot on the Cowboys' 46-man gameday roster each week, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Cowboys are expected to have only three tight ends in uniform for each game, with Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin locked into the top two spots on the depth chart. Gathers is the only member of the group with significant upside as a pass catcher. Head coach Jason Garrett said Monday that while Gathers has shown progress as a blocker and special teams player, the former Baylor basketball standout may not be at a point yet where he's trusted with those assignments. Garrett also spoke of "consequences" stemming from Gathers' recent arrest for marijuana possession, so the third-year player could be facing a suspension from the team regardless of whether the league also decides to hand down punishment.

The Texans added Pruitt to their practice squad Tuesday.

Pruitt failed to earn a spot on the Texans' 53-man roster during final cuts so he will have to settle for a role on their 10-man practice unit instead. He will presumably spend the season there unless injuries on the main roster create an opportunity for him.

Duarte has signed on with the Chargers' practice squad, the team's official site reports.

Duarte will remain on call for the Chargers should the team require the services of another tight end. He has played in just one career game since going pro in 2016, recording two offensive snaps for the Dolphins in 2016.

Hewitt signed a contract with the Colts, the team's official site reports.

Hewitt failed to earn a roster spot with the Bengals, but he landed with the Colts just a few days later. He likely will serve as a depth tight end for the Colts, but he has just 22 career receptions in four seasons.

Kittle (shoulder) appeared to practice fully Monday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

After suffering a separated right shoulder in preseason Week 1, Kittle spent most of the rest of August in recovery mode. Monday's session marked almost a week back in action for the tight end, and it seems as if he handled a good portion of team drills. The 49ers will clarify whether he's handling all practice reps once they hold their first regular-season practice Wednesday, after which he'll prepare as the team's No. 1 TE following a rookie line of 43-515-2 in 2017.

Goolsby (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to injured reserve, according to the league's official transaction log.

The nature of Goolsby's injury isn't clear, but the tight end is now stuck on IR through the end of the league year unless he agrees to an injury settlement.

Firkser secured his spot on the Titans' 53-man roster, Erik Bacharach of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

Firkser's preseason was highlighted by a five-catch, 68-yard performance during the Titans' third preseason tilt against the Steelers. Tennessee elected to keep four tight ends on the roster, so Firkser could be primarily limited to snaps on special teams during the early stages of the regular season.

Hodges was waived by the Steelers on Saturday.

The 2017 sixth-rounder went unclaimed on waivers and joined the Steelers' practice squad. He'll be a candidate for a promotion to the active roster if Vance McDonald (foot), Jesse James (back), or Xavier Grimble (wrist) suffer any setbacks.

Engram (concussion) sported a red (non-contact) jersey during Monday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

On the plus side, Engram participated in individual drills Monday, which is a positive indicator, but the non-contact jersey suggests that the tight end remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. Added clarity regarding his Week 1 status should arrive no later than Wednesday upon the release of the Giants' first regular-season injury report.

McGrath has been released by the Lions.

McGrath, who signed with the Lions this spring, was unable to separate himself as either a blocking specialist or pass catcher this summer. The tight end will immediately become an unrestricted free agent.