NFL Player News

Uzomah (ankle) will be out for a few weeks but won't end up on injured reserve, Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Uzomah is still recovering from a left ankle sprain that he suffered roughly three weeks ago, and it appears as though he still has several more weeks to go in his recovery. The 24-year-old is expected to serve as a depth option at tight end for the Bengals this season.

Donnell was released by the Ravens on Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Donnell was signed by Baltimore back at the end of July following a disappointing 2016 season with the Giants. His release shows that the Ravens, even with Crockett Gillmore's season-ending knee injury, feel as though they have enough depth at tight end with the likes of Nick Boyle, Ben Watson and Maxx Williams.

Pantale (concussion) recorded two catches for 18 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Vikings.

Pantale returning to the field Thursday night means that he is officially out of concussion protocol after spending nearly two weeks going through testing. He had one last opportunity to impress the Dolphins coaches in the team's final preseason game before they make final roster cuts.

Njoku caught two of three targets for 28 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears.

Njoku's presence in the final preseason game supports the notion that he'll begin his rookie season with a limited role, after finishing the exhibition slate with four catches for 41 yards on eight targets in three games. It's unclear how the reps at tight end will be split up among Njoku, Randall Telfer and Seth DeValve in Week 1 against Pittsburgh.

Hodges left Thursday's preseason game against the Dolphins and is being evaluated for a concussion.

Hodges has shown sparks this preseason that indicate he could be useful as a fourth tight end, but it remains to be seen if his current injury will derail his opportunity for a roster spot.

Bibbs left Thursday's preseason game against Tampa Bay with a knee injury and is questionable to return, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Before the injury, Bibbs caught the one pass directed at him for five yards. He hasn't particularly stood out in preseason, and at 6-foot-2, 258 pounds, he doesn't exactly fit the frame of an ideal special teams player.

Duarte (concussion) is not expected to be on the final roster, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

The Dolphins likely will only carry three tight ends (Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano and MarQueis Gray), which leaves Duarte as the odd man out. There is a good chance that he will end up on the practice squad for Miami once again for the second straight season.

Kittle projects to be the 49ers' starting tight end after the team traded away Vance McDonald to the Steelers on Tuesday, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports.

San Francisco finally acted on the swirling offseason trade rumors surrounding McDonald, opening the door for Kittle to assume a significant role in Kyle Shanahan's offense. The fifth-round pick brings size (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) and athleticism (4.52 40 time) to the table as the 49ers' potential starter. The 23-year-old is still a raw talent, so it will be shortsighted to simply anoint him as a must-add fantasy asset, especially considering how Shanahan prefers to use his tight ends as blockers. He did not have a tight end rank in the top 32 as a receiver last season. Still, there is some upside to be had with Kittle -- just don't expect a smooth ride during his rookie campaign.

Odom was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday.

Odom was a long shot to make the roster after just 14 receptions, 192 yards and two touchdowns in nine games his senior year. Measuring 6-foot-8, however, it was worth it for the Steelers to check him out. He'll likely land on a practice squad or try his talents in another league.

James faces added competition following the Steelers' acquisition of fellow tight end Vance McDonald, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While James is the Steelers' incumbent starter, head coach Mike Tomlin suggested that the move to acquire McDonald was spurred by concerns with the lack of consistency displayed by the team's tight ends. It remains to be seen if McDonald immediately or eventually supplants James, but either way, the potential for a timeshare here reduces the short-term upside of both players.