NFL Player News

Njoku caught two of his three targets for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Thursday's 20-10 win over the Giants to open the preseason.

There have been rumors of Njoku struggling with drops in camp, but he had no problem holding on to a 36-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor on Cleveland's second possession. The athletic tight end found the end zone again two possessions later, this time on a 10-yard pass from Baker Mayfield. Njoku's prospective fantasy owners have to be ecstatic with this performance, especially since he showed a rapport with both of the team's potential starters at quarterback.

Engram wasn't targeted during Thursday's 20-10 loss to the Browns in the preseason opener.

Engram emerged as New York's top receiving threat after Odell Beckham went down with a season-ending ankle injury last year, but the young tight end failed to make an impact in two drives of work here even with Beckham absent. New York did split Engram out wide on a few occasions, so he appears primed to play a versatile role similar to the one he was used in as a rookie.

Hurst caught his only target for a 12-yard gain in Thursday's preseason game against the Rams.

Hurst caught his pass on the first snap of the game, after hauling in three of four targets for 14 yards and a touchdown in last week's Hall of Fame Game against Chicago. The rookie first-round pick is making a push to usurp incumbent starter Nick Boyle, a block-first tight end with 52 catches in 32 career games. Even if he doesn't win the starting job, Hurst is shaping up as a clear favorite to lead Baltimore tight ends in targets. Fellow rookie Mark Andrews, a third-round selection, has struggled to stay healthy during training camp.

Wimann (undisclosed) agreed to an injury settlement with the Patriots and has been waived from injured reserve, according to the league's official transaction log.

Wimann landed on IR this past week after suffering an unspecified injury in training camp. After agreeing to the injury settlement, he's now immediately free to sign with any team outside of New England.

Graham (knee) isn't in uniform for Thursday's preseason game against the Titans, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Graham didn't take the practice field Tuesday due to a minor knee injury, which presumably is the reason for his absence. Lance Kendricks and Marcedes Lewis will thus handle TE reps with the first-team offense, but less experienced hands like Emanuel Byrd and Robert Tonyan are poised to receive the most run at the position Thursday. Graham's next chance to make his first impact as a Packer arrives next Thursday, Aug. 16 versus the Steelers.

Allen will skip the preseason opener Thursday due to an abdominal injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealerreports.

Allen hopes to remain on the roster through training camp with a strong showing in the preseason, but he's gotten off on the wrong foot with a DNP in the opener. The undrafted rookie's next opportunity to suit up for the Browns arrives a week from Friday against the Bills.

Derby will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Buccaneers.

Derby is among a number of players taking the night off, but there's no indication his absence is due to an injury. It would be more telling if he misses additional practice time or sits out future preseason tilts as well. There are five other tight ends on the roster, including rookie Mike Gesicki, who could see additional reps in his absence Thursday.

Fumagalli did not participate in Thursday's practice due to a groin injury, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Fumagalli said Thursday that the injury is related to the sports hernia surgery that he underwent this offseason, so it looks like he might have suffered a bit of a setback after returning to practice a little over a week ago. While missing practice as a rookie certainly isn't ideal for the tight end, the Broncos will likely proceed with extra caution with Fumagalli for the rest of training camp to ensure he is healthy for the regular season.

Saubert has been impressing the Falcons coaching staff in training camp to this point, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Head coach Dan Quinn noted Saubert as one player whom he will focus on during Atlanta's preseason opener against the Jets, given the level of growth that the young tight end has exhibited from his first year in the league to his second. "I'm certainly looking to see how (Saubert) looks. He's somebody who has our attention at tight end," Quinn said after practice Wednesday. "He's really kind of turning into the pass-catching tight end that I hoped we'd see." Saubert has been listed as the No. 3 option at the position behind Austin Hooper and Logan Paulsen on the team's first published depth chart of the season.

Thomas (shoulder) hauled in a pass from Nathan Peterman at practice Wednesday, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

The backup tight end suffered a shoulder injury during the opening days of training camp, but his presence in practice Wednesday suggests Thomas is in good health ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.