NFL Player News

Thomas underwent knee surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the spring, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

While there is no specific timetable on the surgery Thomas was forced to undergo, the Bills likely won't be looking to force him back into action any time soon. Thomas is expected to enter the 2018 season as a depth option at tight end after posting seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown across 12 games in Buffalo last year.

Orndoff signed a contract with the Jaguars on Wednesday.

An undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh in 2017, Orndoff spent the bulk of last season on Cincinnati's practice squad. He was cut loose by the Bengals earlier this month, but didn't have to wait long to find a new home. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound tight end will take the roster spot of the injured Zach Conque (undisclosed), who was waived in a corresponding move.

Lewis signed a contract with the Packers on Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Lewis played for the Jaguars over the last 12 seasons, consistently showing value as block-first tight end. With Jimmy Graham and Lance Kendricks on the roster as well, Lewis likely doesn't have a high ceiling as far as fantasy value goes. He did catch five touchdowns with Jacksonville in 2017 however, and he may get a few red zone targets if he's able to stick around in Green Bay.

It has been confirmed that Henry, who tore his right ACL on Tuesday, is slated to undergo season-ending surgery, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Henry, who caught 45 passes (on 63 targets) for 579 yards and four TDs in 14 games last season, appeared poised for an uptick in production this year, with the team's intentions to move on from veteran tight end Antonio Gates, who logged 52 targets in 2017. In the wake of Henry's injury, however, it's conceivable that Gates could return to Los Angeles after all. Moreover, the likes of Julius Thomas, Coby Fleener and Marcedes Lewis, among others, are available in free agency. Offseason acquisition Virgil Green is on hand, but he profiles more as a blocker, thus it seems inevitable that the Chargers will add a tight end with pass-catching prowess to the mix, in short order.

The Browns are expected to transition second-year tight end Njoku into a full-time starting role this season, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

As a rookie in 2017, Njoku earned five starts versus 14 for Randall Telfer and four for Seth DeValve. The current tight-end room only has two experienced options -- DeValve and free-agent pickup Darren Fells -- so the Browns' plan to elevate Njoku's workload appears as though it will come to fruition. Considering the upgrades at quarterback (Tyrod Taylor and 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield) and the skill positions (Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb) this offseason, Njoku should have a better situation to improve upon first-year marks of 32 catches, 386 yards and four touchdowns on 60 targets.

Lewis is expected to visit with the Packers this week, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lewis hasn't caught more than 25 passes in any of his last five seasons, but he did snag five touchdowns for a Blake Bortles-led offense in 2017. Regardless, Green Bay is presumably looking to bring him in as more of a blocking-oriented tight end than a receiving threat, especially with the team having already inked Jimmy Graham earlier this offseason. The 34-year-old Lewis isn't known to have generated much interest from other teams since being cut by the Jaguars in March.

Henry tore the ACL in his right knee Tuesday during OTAs and will miss the 2018 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Though Schefter noted Henry and the club will seek a second opinion Wednesday, Schefter's source says Henry won't suit up this coming season. After snagging 12 touchdown passes over his first two seasons, Henry was headed for an uptick in responsibility after Antonio Gates wasn't re-signed. Henry and Gates split snaps the last two years, and Henry was targeted 4.4 times per game in 2017, compared to 3.3 targets for Gates. The No. 35 pick from the 2016 draft projected to be a top TE in the fantasy realm due to his larger role, but now the Chargers will be stuck scrambling for a replacement. Schefter added that Los Angeles might consider re-signing Gates to help fill the void. Blocking specialist Virgil Green appears to be atop the depth chart at the moment.

Barnes (undisclosed) cleared waivers and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

After going undrafted in 2017, Barnes spent his rookie campaign looking for employment and eventually latched onto the Lions' practice squad in late December. Barnes was a long shot to make the 53-man roster anyway with tons of talent ahead of him in the depth chart.

Barnes (undisclosed) was waived with an injury designation Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Barnes has been with Detroit since joining the team's practice squad last December. While it isn't clear what sort of injury he's dealing with, Barnes will revert to injured reserve if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Lucas signed a contract with the Lions on Monday.

Lucas spent time with the Raiders' and Colts' practice squads last season, after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014. With a very small chance of making the Lions' roster, he could end up being a practice squad candidate once again.