NFL Player News

Hodges remains behind Kyle Carter on the depth chart as the No. 4 tight end as his development has been slow in training camp, ESPN reports. He did not have a reception in Minnesota's first preseason game.

The 2017 sixth-round draft pick has intriguing size and speed (6-foot-6, with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash), but he may be more of a long-term project than someone who will make an immediate impact this season.

Gathers (head) is entering the NFL's concussion protocol, NFL Network's James Palmer reports.

The former college basketball player has been a revelation through two preseason games, catching seven of 10 targets for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's probably still more of a long-term project than anything else, but it isn't out of the question that the tight end could have a limited role in his second NFL season, after spending all of last year on the practice squad. He'll first need to pass through the league's protocol, presumably missing at least one exhibition outing in the process.

Seals-Jones (ankle) didn't partake in practice Tuesday, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

An undrafted free agent, Seals-Jones has a hill to climb in his quest for a spot on the 53-man roster, sitting behind Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas and Ifeanyi Momah in the tight-end pecking order, at least. So far, Seals-Jones has hauled in his only preseason target for nine yards, while logging 26 snaps on offense and 11 as a special teamer over two games.

Njoku (back) plans to play in Monday's preseason game against the Giants, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Njoku missed the preseason opener but returned to practice Saturday, allowing plenty of time to prepare for Monday's contest. He'll likely get most of his snaps with the backup units, which should give him a chance to build chemistry with DeShone Kizer in a game setting. The Kizer-Njoku connection probably won't be prolific this season, but the Browns hope it can be a big part of their long-term plan.

Kittle (hamstring) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Though he was removed from the Niners' injury report at one point last week, Kittle was held out of the team's preseason opener and has subsequently been limited at practice. Rare as it may be for a fifth-round rookie to earn a starting job, Kittle should still have a shot to unseat Vance McDonald if he gets past the nagging hamstring injury soon.

Gathers left the practice field under his own power but did not return Tuesday after a helmet-to-helmet collision with safety Kavon Frazier, DallasCowboys.com reports.

The team's breakout star of the preseason so far has caught a TD pass in each of the Cowboys' first two exhibition games, so the training staff was taking no chances with Gathers after the accidental collision left him stunned and lying on his back. Owner/GM Jerry Jones said after the practice that the tight end was being examined for a possible concussion, but as yet there's been no word on the nature or severity of any injury.

McFarland signed a contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

McFarland had signed with the Cowboys back in May but was let go roughly a month after. He takes the roster spot of Connor Hamlett, who was waived after breaking his fibula.

Hamlett (leg) was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

Hamlett recently broke his fibula. The Cowboys signed fellow tight end M.J. McFarland in a corresponding move.

Swaim (foot) returned to practice Monday, Bryan Broaddus of the team's official site reports.

Swaim's foot injury seems to be a thing of the past following his return to the practice field. Although still listed as the third tight end on the team's depth chart, Swaim appears to be in a strong candidate for a special teams role.

Engram and Rhett Ellison have been splitting first-team snaps at training camp, with the rookie showing up most often during red-zone work and two-minute drills, ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan reports.

Engram is poised for an immediate role in passing situations, but it's unclear exactly how the snaps will be divided and how much the Giants' personnel at tight end will telegraph whether they are running or passing. Ellison falls on the other end of the spectrum at the position -- he's highly regarded as a blocker but only has 51 catches for 515 yards in 73 career games. The Giants have favored the passing game under coach Ben McAdoo, and the team's current personnel hints at a continuation of that approach, particularly if Engram shines early in the season. Even if the rookie gets regular playing time, there is a lot of competition for targets on a team featuring Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard and Shane Vereen.