NFL Player News

Kroft could be a candidate to receive more targets out of double tight-end sets this season.

Kroft caught just 11 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown as a rookie last season, but with the Bengals incorporating new targets to their passing game in 2016, his familiarity with the offense could earn him an expanded role early on. While star tight end Tyler Eifert is obviously ahead of Kroft on the depth chart, Cincinnati often utilized two TE sets last year and could continue to do so in order to get Kroft more involved this term.

Donnell has signed a contract to remain with the Giants after having received medical clearance from the team's medical staff.

Donnell, who did not play after suffering a neck injury on Nov. 1, has the green light to play and he'll look to compete for tight end snaps this coming season with Will Tye and Jerome Cunningham. Prior to his injury, Donnell caught 29 passes for 223 yards and two TDs in eight starts for the Giants, but Tye's emergence as the 2015 season rolled along suggests that Donnell is hardly a lock to fully reclaim his previous role in the team's offense.

Graham (knee) is expected to be ready to play Week 1, general manager John Schneider told Seattle's KJR radio Wednesday.

Graham ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee in Week 12 last season. Schneider said Graham might not be ready for the first couple preseason games, but that getting him ready for Week 1 is the priority. That still might be optimistic, as patella ruptures are notoriously severe injuries.

Escobar's recovery from a torn right Achilles may extend into the upcoming season, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Escobar sustained the injury on Dec. 19, so it's no surprise that the lengthy rehabilitation required of such an ailment is poised to impact his offseason regimen. If training camp reps are few and far to come by, a stay on the PUP list could be in the cards. Among those set to pick up the slack behind Jason Witten are James Hanna and Geoff Swaim.

The Dolphins and Gray agreed to a contract Thursday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Landing the second tight-end role out of training camp, Gray earned 26 offensive snaps and 75 more on special teams over the first four games of 2015, during which he hauled in his only target. In the same game, though, he sustained a broken forearm and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. Upon joining the Dolphins, he'll compete for one of the few TE spots behind Jordan Cameron.

The Bills have signed Dray.

Dray caught just six passes for 61 yards in 16 games for the Browns in 2015, but he should be a good fit for the Bills as a blocking tight end in coordinator Greg Roman's run-oriented offense.

Harkey has inked an undisclosed deal to remain with the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

With Jared Cook gone, Harkey should play a larger role in the offense as the Rams love two-TE sets. He only had five catches for 26 yards last season and is primarily a blocker, but should see at least a minor spike in production in 2016.

Wright has re-signed with the Lions.

Wright joined the Lions via trade from the Buccaneers last season, when he finished with nine catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns in nine games for Detroit. Although Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew are ahead of him at tight end, Wright's red-zone prowess gives the Lions good depth at the position.

Paulsen is signing a one-year contract to remain with the Redskins, ESPN's Adam Caplin reports.

Paulsen has spent his entire six-year career with the Redskins, but missed all of last season after having toe surgery in August. A backup tight end, Paulsen will hope for a healthy 2016 campaign, but his fantasy stock is rather minuscule.

Sudfeld (knee) re-signed with the Jets on Thursday, NJ.com reports.

The Jets cut Jeff Cumberland recently, which theoretically moves Sudfeld up the depth chart, but with Jace Amaro expected to have a big impact this season, Sudfeld's fantasy upside remains fairly limited.