NFL Player News

Bowman signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chargers on Monday, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Bowman was waived by the Saints at roster cutdowns in September and was trying to make the team as a long snapper. The 23-year-old will likely be more involved at tight end in the Chargers' offseason program, but the versatility is valuable nonetheless.

Smith (concussion) practiced fully Tuesday and, barring any setbacks, will play Sunday against the Chiefs, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Smith had 18 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The Chiefs' defense allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, and with just eight targets in his last six games, Smith shouldn't be considered for fantasy matchups in the wild-card round.

Manhertz has a high-ankle sprain and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Manhertz played all 16 games for the Panthers this season, posting two receptions on four targets for 17 yards and zero touchdowns. He was used more for his run-blocking abilities, especially since No. 1 TE Greg Olsen is a stud in the pass-catching realm. Olsen and Ed Dickson are the two remaining healthy tight ends for Carolina for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Byrd caught two passes for 31 yards in the Packers' Week 17 loss to the Lions.

Byrd was promoted from the practice squad for the Packers' season finale, which allowed the rookie to notch the first two receptions of his career. He spent training camp and half of the season with the Packers, so he should get a chance to compete for a roster spot if he returns to Green Bay.

Njoku, who caught two passes for 38 yards during Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Steelers, finishes his rookie season with 32 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

Njoku and fellow tight end Seth DeValve spent much of the year splitting offensive snaps, yet Njoku showed numerous flashes that he is capable of being Cleveland's No. 1 tight end in 2018. He led the team with four touchdowns and was just one reception shy of tying for the second most. The rookie has a bright future, and his outlook will only improve if the Browns improve their offense this offseason.

The Bengals signed Orndoff to a reserve/future contract Monday, Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Orndoff finished the 2017 campaign as a member of the Cincinnati practice squad and will likely get a shot to compete for a roster spot in training camp this summer. The Pittsburgh product is still awaiting his NFL debut after going undrafted last April.

Everett caught just three of six targets for 16 yards and lost a fumble during Sunday's 34-13 loss to San Francisco.

The rookie tight end also had a blunder on special teams, as he ran into the punter, and the ensuing penalty extended a drive for the 49ers. Everett wraps up his first season with 16 receptions for 244 yards and two scores. He will probably remain involved in the offense and garner the odd look in the playoffs because his athleticism, speed and size make him a potential matchup nightmare. However, Everett should continue to be viewed as an unreliable asset in all fantasy settings during the postseason.

Smith caught all three of his targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Jaguars.

Smith finishes his rookie season with 18 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Expect Delanie Walker's backup to be a little more involved in year two, as Smith has an all-around skill set resembling that of his veteran superior.

The Bears signed Thompson to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Thompson finished the season on the Bears' practice squad but will need to put together an impressive offseason in order to stick with the team into the 2018 regular season.

Graham posted three receptions (on six targets) for 45 yards during Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Cardinals.

Graham was notoriously hit or miss in 2017. In the first two games of the season, he tallied four catches for nine yards on 10 targets. He followed up the early dry stretch with 133 yards in the next two contests, only to kick off an eight-game stretch in which he scored nine touchdowns. His yards per target was never up to his standard throughout the campaign, even during this span, when he countered a 24.3-percent TD rate with a measly 5.8 YPT. During the all-important stretch between Weeks 14 and 16, the latter point came back to haunt Graham, who gathered in just two of six targets for two yards and one touchdown. With no postseason to speak of in Seattle in the coming weeks, Seahawks brass must decide how much his rejuvenated TD prowess is worth as the unrestricted free agent prepares for his age-32 season.