NFL Player News

Vannett (ankle) has yet to start running and could still be a week away from a return to field, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR reports.

Vannett suffered the ankle injury during the second week of the preseason and has been sidelined ever since. He's yet to start running, which seems to indicate he's still a ways off from a potential return. He's expected to be out for at least another week, so Vannett should be considered questionable for the team's regular season opener versus the Dolphins on Sept. 11. Even when healthy, Vannett is only a depth option behind the likes of Jimmy Graham and Luke Wilson.

Paulsen's chances of making the 53-man roster remain in limbo, John Keim of ESPN reports.

Paulsen is no stranger to the roster bubble. While he has managed to survive final cuts in the past, there is no guarantee that the Redskins opt to keep three tight ends this season. There are some close to the organization who remain optimistic, but also others who could see Washington parting ways with the 29-year-old after five seasons with the team. Ultimately, the team will have until Saturday to determine whether or not Paulsen will be donning red and yellow in 2016.

James is expected to start at tight end, after teammate Ladarius Green (ankle) was moved to the regular-season PUP list Tuesday, ruling him out for the first six weeks of the season, ESPN.com reports.

Things have been moving in this direction throughout training camp, with Green unable to participate while slowly recovering from January ankle surgery. James has thus had the opportunity to work with the first-team offense throughout the offseason program and camp, capping things off by catching four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game against the Saints. The 2015 fifth-round selection didn't do much with his limited playing time last season, catching eight passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on 181 offensive snaps. James should be more involved this season, but wideouts Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers and Sammie Coates are the better bets to emerge as Ben Roethlisberger's secondary options behind Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams/Le'Veon Bell.

Graham has been placed on IR by the Broncos.

With Graham -- who has been dealing with a shoulder injury -- now on IR, the Broncos' TE depth chart is currently topped by Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman.

Underwood was released by the Raiders on Monday, Jimmy Durkin of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Underwood is an Illinois State product who went undrafted in 2014 but was eventually signed by the Chargers and given a shot at a roster spot in Oakland this offseason. The 6-foot-3, 255 pound tight end will look to catch on elsewhere.

Pettigrew (knee) will open the regular season on the PUP list, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December, the 31-year-old Pettigrew can be ruled out for at least the first six games of the season. With Eric Ebron (ankle) uncertain for Week 1 and both Orson Charles and Andrew Quarless suspended, the Lions may have to start Cole Wick or Adam Fuehne, both undrafted rookies. If Ebron isn't ready, the team could rely on more formations with four wide receivers or two running backs.

Henry recorded one catch for seven yards during the Chargers' preseason loss to the Vikings Sunday.

With Antonio Gates (rest) out of Sunday's contest, Henry had the opportunity to work with the first-string unit, but barely made a dent on the stat line. The 21-year-old did manage to catch the opening pass from Philip Rivers for a seven yard gain, but that was the extent of the rookie's stat line as the Vikings bottled up the passing attack. Henry likely won't see many fantasy friendly opportunities with Gates slotted to start at TE, but he'll still see his fair share of snaps on the field during two-tight end sets.

Pruitt (leg) is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks after an MRI revealed he suffered a sprained MCL, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The second-year tight end sustained the injury in Sunday's preseason win over the Chargers. He had 11 yards on one reception to go along with a lost fumble prior to exiting the contest. Pruitt and rookie David Morgan have been competing to back up Kyle Rudolph at tight end, so Morgan may have an opportunity to showcase his skill set with Pruitt sidelined the first few weeks of the season. Regardless, both expect to assume limited roles behind Rudolph.

Ertz has a team-high 11 receptions for 75 yards through three preseason games.

Ertz has been consistent through three games, totally 26-, 24-, and 25-yard games. The fourth-year tight end has seen an ever-increasing role since entering the league and appears to be a major part of the offense once again in 2016.

Amaro (groin) may not make the final roster, ESPN.com reports.

Amaro dressed but didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, suggesting his absence may not have been entirely injury-related. Regardless, the Jets have blocking specialist Kellen Davis slotted in atop the depth chart, and Zach Sudfeld offers more than Amaro on special teams. A 2014 second-round selection, Amaro impressed early in training camp but failed to make any noise during the preseason. Even if he's kept on the roster, he may be limited to a few snaps per game as an H-back.