NFL Player News

Kelce (shoulder) won't be placed on the Chiefs' Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Kelce missed all of Chiefs' Organized Team Activities after undergoing surgery on his shoulder this offseason, but it now looks as though he's healed up. Although Kelce could potentially be limited once he first takes the field, the Chiefs have been consistent in their expectation that he'll be a full go sometime during training camp, and the fact the tight end has avoided the PUP list backs up that sentiment. With former top wideout Jeremy Maclin now out of town, Kelce could serve as more of a focal point in the Chiefs' passing attack this season.

Higbee will avoid jail time after pleading guilty to assault for a fight outside a bar in Kentucky last year, ESPN.com reports.

Higbee has been sentenced to 250 hours of community service and needs to pay the victim an undisclosed sum of money, among other requirements, as part of the deal. However, since the altercation took place before he was in the NFL, the former Western Kentucky standout won't be subject to the league's personal conduct policy. With this incident now behind him, look for Higbee to open training camp as the Rams' No. 1 tight end in the wake of Lance Kendrick's departure for Green Bay. However, promising second-round tight end Gerald Everett should begin applying pressure in due time.

Amaro likely will have to compete for a roster spot, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports.

With Delanie Walker and third-round pick Jonnu Smith occupying two roster spots, the Titans probably prefer to keep at least one tight end who specializes in blocking. Amaro doesn't fit the bill and may thus find himself looking for a third NFL team ahead of his fourth professional season. The 2014 second-round pick had 38 receptions as a rookie with the Jets, but he missed all of 2015 with a torn labrum and caught only three passes in three games with Tennessee last season.

Vannett figures to serve as the No. 3 tight end this season, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Selected at No. 94 overall in last year's draft, Vannett logged only 84 offensive snaps in nine games as a rookie while stuck behind Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson and Brandon Williams on the depth chart. Graham and Willson are still around and seemingly locked in as the top two options, but with both players in contract seasons, Vannett should at least have an opportunity to push for a significant role in 2018. Vannett is unlikely to ever serve as the team's top receiving threat at tight end, as he caught only 55 passes in 37 games at Ohio State and ran a 4.85 40-yard dash at the 2016 Combine.

Waller has been suspended for at least one year for a second violation of the league's substance-abuse policy, Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com reports.

Waller was suspended for the first four games of last season for his initial violation, and now he faces a year out of the league for his latest. The 24-year-old will be allowed to participate in preseason practices and games, but his punishment will begin once the regular season does. A sixth-round pick in 2015, Waller caught 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns last season. His absence -- which follows Dennis Pitta's most recent hip injury and subsequent release -- figures to allow Nick Boyle to see more action behind Ben Watson, Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams at tight end in the buildup to this season.

Teammate Delanie Walker believes Smith can be a star in the NFL, USA Today's Jason Wolf reports. "One day [Smith] will be better than me," said Walker. "And that's his ultimate goal. And if he didn't feel that way, I wouldn't want him here."

Selected in the third round (No. 100 overall) of this year's draft, Smith has drawn comparisons to Walker and Jordan Reed, with his athleticism and pass-catching skill making up for a lack of ideal height for his position. At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Smith is actually closer to the league prototype than Walker or Reed, suggesting he could eventually develop into a capable in-line tight end who stays on the field in all situations. For the time being, Smith likely will be brought along slowly behind the 32-year-old Walker, though the rookie could have a limited role from the jump due to the Titans' affinity for two-TE formations. After averaging 4.1 catches per game in his four seasons at FIU, the 21-year-old impressed at the Combine by finishing second among tight ends in the vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle, also showing well in the 40-yard dash (4.62) and broad jump (127 inches).

Daniels will compete for a reserve spot on the Colts' 53-man roster, Kevin Bowen of the Colts' official site reports.

Daniels was scooped up by the Colts after he went undrafted this spring, and the rookie now has a chance to secure a spot on the depth chart behind Erik Swoope and Jack Doyle. He'll have to beat out the likes of Brandon Williams (concussion), Mo Alie-Cox and Colin Jeter during training camp and the preseason.

Higbee got regular first-team snaps during June minicamp, ESPN.com's Alden Gonzalez reports.

A likely Day 2 selection at one point, Higbee fell to the fourth round of last year's draft due to off-field concerns and a sketchy injury history, and while neither of those potential issues cropped up during his rookie season, he was still remarkably unproductive in catching only 11 of 28 targets for 85 yards and a score in 16 games. With Lance Kendricks no longer around, Higbee is the favorite to enter Week 1 as the Rams' starting tight end, though second-round rookie Gerald Everett still has time to make a push for the job. New head coach Sean McVay made the most of his tight ends -- particularly Jordan Reed -- while serving as offensive coordinator for the Redskins, but McVay will have his hands full working with second-year QB Jared Goff, a shaky offensive line and an unproven group of pass catchers. While the team context is far from ideal for fantasy production, Higbee does have a clear opportunity to earn regular snaps and targets.

Waller (undisclosed) was a participant at the Ravens' minicamp after sitting out voluntary workouts, Luke Jones of wnst.net reports.

Waller was one of three tight ends on the team dealing with an injury, but it does not appear to have been a serious issue. His participation in minicamp seems to indicate he will be healthy entering training camp. He figures to compete to make the final roster and provide depth at tight end.

Engram said he started to gain confidence following a June practice in which he made some big catches and knew all of his assignments, Art Stapleton of The Record reports. "I had a really good day, some really big catches, and I could see I was starting to learn the offense, getting comfortable," Engram said. "There were a couple times, I went out in the slot or in my position [at tight end], and Eli [Manning] gave an adjustment, and I knew exactly what to do, and I felt really confident, and I went and made the play."

Engram may have been slightly intimidated joining an offense with veteran standouts like Eli Manning, Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall, but it seems the No. 23 overall pick from this year's draft is quickly seeing how he can be an asset to a team that had tight ends account for only 609 of its 4,027 receiving yards and three of its 26 receiving touchdowns last season. Engram may start his career with a part-time role, but his 4.42 speed should make him an immediate asset on passing downs, at the very least. It seems everything has gone in his favor over the last year, as he produced a 65-926-8 receiving line in 11 games during his senior season at Ole Miss, and then tore up the Combine with top-three marks for his position in the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle as well as the 40-yard dash. Returning starter Will Tye was one of the league's least explosive and least efficient tight ends last season, producing 8.2 yards per catch and 5.6 per target (on 70 targets).