NFL Player News

Gesicki likely will enter the season as Miami's starting tight end, ESPN.com's Cameron Wolfe reports.

The rookie second-round pick combines rare athleticism with solid college production, and his shortcomings as a blocker may not be a huge issue in an Adam Gase offense predicated on short throws. Gesicki only has one catch for 10 yards this preseason, but he did get the starting nod each of the past three weeks. Despite the likelihood of a sizable Week 1 snap count, prospective fantasy owners should approach Gesicki with caution, given the poor track record of production from rookie tight ends in general.

Everett (shoulder) is working towards a Week 1 return, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Everett's shoulder injury has lingered for the larger part of August and seemingly could affect his chances of playing in Week 1. The injury has caused some concern given Everett's extended absence, but coach Sean McVay feels that, barring any setbacks, Everett will be ready to go for the regular season opener.

Kelce caught both of his targets for 29 yards during Saturday's preseason game against the Bears. He likely won't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Packers, Nate Taylor of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

Kelce has had a fine preseason and displayed that there is plenty of reason to believe he will remain one of the elite tight ends, despite the change under center from Alex Smith to Patrick Mahomes. We may have to wait until the regular season to see him again, opening the campaign Sept. 9 with a road matchup against the Chargers.

Gathers reeled in five of seven targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-3 preseason loss to the Cardinals.

Gathers was the Cowboys' most heavily targeted player on the day, though most of his output came on short routes against the Cardinals' second- and third-team defense. At 6-foot-6 and 282 pounds, Gathers boasts the size and athleticism teams value at tight end, but his unrefined blocking has likely put him behind Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin on the depth chart. Additionally, the Cowboys invested a fourth-round pick in Dalton Schultz this spring, which could result in Gathers failing to crack the final 53-man roster if Dallas elects to keep only three tight ends.

Engram (concussion) isn't practicing Monday, but he is showing signs of progress in his side work, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Engram did some light running Sunday and seems to have ramped things up a bit Monday. He still has nearly two weeks to make it through the concussion protocol before a Week 1 home game against the Jaguars.

Gray (concussion) played eight snaps on offense and seven snaps on special teams during Saturday's 27-10 preseason loss against the Ravens.

Gray has yet to record a single reception this preseason. The 28-year-old projects to enter the season as a backup to Mike Gesicki, and with only 27 catches in 61 career games, he's unlikely to attain any fantasy relevance.

Though Engram (concussion) didn't practice Sunday, he was present for the session, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Per the report, Engram did some light running, which is a positive indicator with regard to his Week 1 status. It's pretty certain that Engram won't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, but the tight end should have ample time to gain medical clearance in advance of the team's Sept. 9 season opener against the Jaguars.

Njoku (ankle) was back at practice Sunday after missing Saturday's session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The 29th overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft is in a good position to easily eclipse his rookie-year numbers -- 32 catches for 386 yards and four TDs. It helps that the Browns should enjoy a higher level of QB play this season, with Tyrod Taylor set to start and top overall pick Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings. At 6-foot-4, 246 pounds, Njoku possesses the size and athleticism to be a difference-maker in an improved Cleveland attack that will also funnel targets to wideouts Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon and running back Duke Johnson.

James suffered a back contusion during Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

James was removed in the second quarter after a high pass exposed him to a big hit, finishing the afternoon with two catches for 17 yards on six targets. With fellow tight ends Vance McDonald (foot) and Xavier Grimble (wrist) already in danger of missing the start of the season, Bucky Hodge is left as the team's only healthy player at the position. James and McDonald were expected to compete for the starting job, but the latter may have lost his chance after missing the vast majority of training camp and the first three weeks of the preseason. McDonald should still have a role on passing downs once he's healthy, potentially working in a timeshare with James.

Goedert caught two of five targets for 26 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to Cleveland.

That Goedert got the start alongside Zach Ertz and saw Nick Foles' first target of the day just goes to show how highly the Eagles prize their first-round rookie. The South Dakota State product has impressed in three preseason games thus far, racking up nine catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. The strong showing has him firmly ahead of Richard Rodgers (knee) on the tight end depth chart as the Eagles head into their final tuneup against the Jets.