NFL Player News

Thompson was waived by the Giants on Monday after undergoing an appendectomy, Michael Elsen of Giants.com reports.

Thompson figured to have slim odds for making the final roster before the procedure. He is expected to clear waivers, and subsequently revert to the team's injured reserve. The 23-year-old is likely to spend the entirety of 2017 there unless he and the team reach an injury settlement.

Mundt (undisclosed) was activated from the Rams' Physically Unable to Perform list Monday, Rams' insider Myles Simmons reports.

Mundt was subsequently activated after passing his physical. The undrafted rookie injured his knee early in his 2016 season at Oregon, and is in the final stages of his recovery. However, his chances of making the final roster are slim.

Kittle (hamstring) was a limited participant in Monday's practice, Joe Fann of the 49ers' official site reports.

Kittle has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury since the beginning of August and wasn't able to play in the 49ers' preseason opener last week. He looks questionable to play in the team's next exhibition game Saturday against the Broncos.

McGrath (knee) will not play in Sunday's preseason game against the Seahawks, Eric D. Williams of ESPN reports.

McGrath was absent from Friday's practice after he hyperextended his knee, and he is yet to be given a timetable for his recovery. With Jeff Cumberland (leg) also out, the competition for the No. 3 tight end spot behind Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates will be put on hold until both are healthy and can return to preseason play.

Weiser has signed a contract with the Chargers, Ricky Henne of the team's official site reports.

Weiser spent time with the Chargers last season, catching two passes for eight yards in the preseason before getting his walking papers prior to Week 1. The team waived S Adrian McDonald in a corresponding move.

Higbee caught his only target for a three-yard gain in Saturday's preseason opener against Dallas.

Higbee started and appeared to play all the snaps with Jared Goff, while rookie second-round pick Gerald Everett mostly worked with the second unit. Given the slow learning curve for young tight ends, Higbee should be able to lock down the starting role heading into Week 1, though any struggles during the season could open up an opportunity for Everett. Both players face a difficult path to earning significant target volume in an offense that appears fully stocked with skill-position weapons in the wake of the Sammy Watkins trade. That said, Watkins' presence should help open up the middle of the field for the team's tight ends, running backs and slot receivers.

Everett caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Saturday's preseason opener against Dallas.

The 44th overall pick in this year's draft, Everett looked impressive in making two defenders miss on a nine-yard gain. He'll still have to work his way into a meaningful role, as Tyler Higbee started Saturday's game and Temarrick Hemingway came on the field when the first-team offense used two tight ends. The Rams suddenly have quite a few mouths to feed, with the acquisition of Sammy Watkins pushing the other wideouts into the complementary roles they're best suited for. Thus, the prospect of using Higbee and Everett on the field together doesn't seem nearly as appealing as it once did.

Kelce (knee) returned to practice Sunday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Kelce missed at least a week of practice and was held out of the Chiefs' preseason opener, but there's been nothing to suggest his swollen left knee is anything more than a short-term issue. Barring a setback, he should be available for the second or third preseason game.

Gathers caught four of six targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.

The former college basketball player also shined in the Hall of Fame Game, where he caught three of four targets for 59 yards and a touchdown. Again playing deep into the second half, Gathers had his best sequence in the third quarter when he alertly jumped on a teammate's fumble to preserve a drive, and then capped the series with a 25-yard touchdown on a seam route two plays later. It's unclear if he's ready for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but with his athleticism clearly on display this preseason, the Cowboys may have to keep him on the active roster (rather than the practice squad) if they want to continue developing him for the future.

Njoku (back) returned to practice Saturday, Mary Kay Cabot of WKYC-TV reports.

Njoku dealt with a sore back the past few days, one that ultimately prevented him from taking part in Thursday's preseason opener against the Saints. However, his participation Saturday suggests he's back to normal. If everything goes well in practice this week, he should be set to get his first taste of game action Aug. 21 against the Giants.