NFL Player News

Everett could take on a larger role in his second season, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official website reports. "Gerald is a guy that has a lot of ability," said Rams coach Sean McVay. "I think its continuing to get more comfortable playing the tight end position at the professional level. And we ask a lot of our guys, being able to play in the run and the pass game, and sometimes compete in protection, and Gerald's a guy that I think he's going to attack the offseason the right way and we're hoping to see him continue to improve."

The 44th overall pick in last year's draft, Everett caught 16 of 32 targets for 244 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, displaying big-play ability with catch-and-run gains of 69, 44 and 39 yards. All three of those plays occurred in the first half of the season, and he had only 45 receiving yards over the final eight weeks. Everett nonetheless may compete for the starting job in training camp, given that incumbent Tyler Higbee, a 2016 fourth-round pick, caught only 25 of 45 targets for 295 yards and a touchdown despite playing all 16 games last season. At the very least, Everett figures to push for more playing time on passing downs, where his lack of size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) is less of a concern.

The Panthers have tendered a one-year to contract to Manhertz, an exclusive-rights free agent, Max Henson of the team's official site reports.

Manhertz appeared in every game during the 2017 season but most of his playing time came on special teams. Sitting third on the tight end depth chart behind Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson, he ultimately finished the campaign with two receptions for 17 yards on four targets. However, its possible his role in the passing game could expand this upcoming season with Dickson set to become an unrestricted free agent March 14.

Hooper returned to Atlanta last week to work with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at the team facility, ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure reports.

Despite ripping off an 88-yard touchdown in the first game of the year, Hooper saw his average per reception drop from 14.3 yards as a rookie to 10.7 in 2017. He had a couple drops in crucial moments and finished the season with 49 catches for 526 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets, failing to top 50 yards in any game after Week 1. The 2016 third-round pick appears locked in as Atlanta's top tight end, but he'll need to display major improvement to earn consistent volume, as the Falcons have the luxury of leaning on wideouts Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, in addition to the impressive backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Hooper was third on the team in targets, but he was a distant third behind Jones (149) and Sanu (97). The 23-year-old hopes to get a head start toward a potential breakout campaign by working with Ryan early in the offseason while many of his teammates are still on vacation.

Graham isn't expected to re-sign with the Seahawks, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

After struggling to make an impact in the red zone his first two years in Seattle, the 31-year-old tight end scored 10 times last season but only caught 57 of 98 targets for 520 yards (5.3 per target). The cap-strapped Seahawks probably prefer to go cheaper at tight end, while TE-needy teams with more flexibility should still be willing to make a significant financial commitment for a stab at Graham's upside. The Saints reportedly are interested in a reunion.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Thursday that he expected Henry (abdomen) to be ready for the start of the offseason program.

Henry was placed on injured reserve midway through December with a minor laceration of his kidney, which left him sidelined for the final two games of the regular season. However, it doesn't look like the injury will affect the tight end's status for any upcoming offseason work. Expect Henry, who posted 45 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns in 2017, to be fully healthy as the Chargers' No. 1 tight end at the start of the season.

The Jaguars exercised Lewis' $3.5 million team option for 2018 on Tuesday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

While Lewis' salary isn't guaranteed for 2018, the transaction more or less indicates the Jaguars plan on bringing the tight end back for a 13th season. Lewis has long been a tertiary member of the Jaguars' passing attack, but his marks of 318 yards and five touchdowns last season were his best since 2013, though the production was mostly inflated by an outlier 62-yard, three-score performance in Week 3. Since Lewis is set to turn 34 years old in May, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Jaguars made adding a developmental tight end a priority during the early rounds of the draft in April.

Ertz brought in seven of nine targets for 67 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles' 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Sunday.

Ertz drew even with Torrey Smith for second on the team in targets, but it was his final catch of the night that proved to be the difference-maker. The 27-year-old made a circus grab and crossed the goal line with 2:21 remaining, but the ground lodged the ball loose as he landed. However, it ended up in Ertz's hands again off the carom without ever touching the ground, and instant replay review led to a determination that the tight end was acting as a runner when he lost and subsequently regained control. The touchdown gave the Eagles a 38-33 lead that they'd extend to 41-33 in short order with the aid of a Tom Brady fumble on the next possession. The heroics capped off a third straight successful campaign for the fifth-year pro, one that saw him haul in 74 of 110 targets for 824 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. Despite carrying a cap hit of nearly $10 million in 2018, Ertz naturally figures to play a pivotal role in the team's attempted defense of its first Super Bowl title.

The Browns signed Cajuste to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Cajuste, who went undrafted out of Stanford in 2016, wasn't affiliated with any team in 2017 after spending time with both the 49ers and Packers during his rookie season. However, he's a capable blocker who doubled as a serviceable receiver during his college days and has a chance to stick with the Browns if he can prove himself on special teams this offseason.

Swaim recently underwent minor surgery on his right knee, Mickey Spagnola of the Cowboys' official site reports.

This procedure is likely linked to the knee injury Swaim sustained in November. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, Swaim is expected to be healthy in time for offseason workouts this spring.

Gathers is nursing jaw and neck injuries in addition to concussion symptoms, William Allen of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Gathers absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit during training camp last summer and, by all accounts, still hasn't cleared concussion protocol. However, it's now evident the tight end is dealing with more than a typical concussion, which helps explain why his recovery has taken as long as it has. It's still too early to know when he could be back on the field, but there's optimism he'll be able to participate in OTAs and minicamp in some capacity this spring with the hope to be fully ready to play when training camp rolls around in late July.