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Brandon Pettigrew TE | DET
Lions' Brandon Pettigrew: Could begin season on reserve/PUP list
Lions coach Jim Caldwell declined to say whether Pettigrew (knee) will begin the 2016 season on Detroit's reserve/PUP list, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Pettigrew suffered a torn ACL last December and began training camp on the team's PUP list. However, the decision to place him on this specific list may ultimately be contingent on the status of fellow TE Eric Ebron (ankle). Should Ebron be healthy enough to play from the onset of the regular season, Detroit could have added incentive to shelf Pettigrew on the PUP list through Week 6 in order to ensure the veteran's return to full health.
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Jace Amaro TE | TEN
Jets' Jace Amaro: Misses practice with undisclosed injury
Amaro missed Monday's practice while rehabbing an undisclosed injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN New York reports.
If this is anything more than a one-day issue, the Jets will likely provide an update at some point during the week. Amaro reportedly got off to a strong start at training camp, but he's still competing with Kellen Davis for playing time in an offense that will be centered around Matt Forte (hamstring), Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Jets tight ends combined for just eight catches last season, though the number might have been higher if Amaro hadn't missed the whole year with a shoulder injury. Now healthy, the 2014 second-round selection could be looking at a make-or-break season.
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Bear Pascoe TE | NE
Patriots' Bear Pascoe: Released by Patriots
Pascoe was released by the Patriots on Monday, Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal reports.
A 30-year-old blocking specialist, Pascoe was always a long shot to make the final roster, as the Patriots have a slew of tight ends competing for the No. 3 job behind Rob Gronkowski (undisclosed) and Martellus Bennett. Pascoe has just 40 career receptions in 82 games.
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Nick Vannett TE | SEA
Seahawks' Nick Vannett: Diagnosed with high ankle sprain
Vannett was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after he left Thursday's preseason game against Minnesota, according to seattlepi.com.
High-ankle sprains have a bad reputation among football fans and do often lead to extended absences, but there's still a wide range for the recovery timetable, depending on the severity of the given injury. While it's not unheard of for a player to miss an entire season because of a high-ankle sprain, there have also been instances in which players were back at full health within a couple weeks. Vannett had to use crutches after he left Thursday's game, but head coach Pete Carroll did say that the team's training staff was "really pleased" with how the ankle responded to initial testing. Vannett still faces an uphill battle to be ready by Week 1, and with Jimmy Graham (knee) also uncertain, Luke Willson may have to play nearly all of the offensive snaps. A late third-round draft pick (94th overall), Vannett earned a reputation for his blocking at Ohio State, but his lack of speed (4.85 40-yard dash) will likely cap his upside as a receiver. He does still have the potential to develop into a solid NFL starter, particularly if he's in a run-oriented offense that has plenty of pass-catching talent at other positions. Seattle could be an ideal long-term fit if the team moves on from Jimmy Graham after this season.
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Jimmy Graham TE | NO
Seahawks' Jimmy Graham: Gets good news from weekend tests
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said the team saw progress in Graham's knee after running some tests over the weekend, according to seattlepi.com.
Though he didn't care to elaborate during Sunday's media session, Carroll did provide some useful information just four days prior, saying that Graham is close to being cleared for team drills. At this point, Graham might not be ready for Week 1 even if he were to return to practice within the next few days, as his initial participation in team drills probably wouldn't include full-contact work. The 29-year-old tight end is highly unlikely to play in a preseason game, but the Seahawks haven't given up hope that he could be ready for Week 1. Even if he does suit up for the first game, Graham might be eased back in with a part-time role, and there's no guarantee he'll fully regain his explosiveness.
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Hunter Henry TE | NE
Chargers' Hunter Henry: Records one catch in preseason win
Henry recorded just one catch for seven yards in the Chargers preseason win over the Cardinals.
While Henry didn't put up tremendous numbers Friday, the season-ending injury to Jeff Cumberland (Achilles) likely means that the 21-year-old rookie will see additional time in two tight end sets opposite Antonio Gates. He'll get another chance to impress the coaching staff and potentially earn more reps when the Chargers take on the Vikings this Sunday.
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Darren Waller TE | CAR
Ravens' Darren Waller: Leaves game for concussion protocol
Waller (suspension) was forced to exit Saturday's win over the Colts to be tested for a concussion.
Waller was able to pass the concussion tests and he won't be forced to miss any practice time, though he was unable to return on Saturday. He finished the game without a single target.
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Larry Donnell TE | BAL
Giants' Larry Donnell: Doesn't get any targets
Donnell wasn't targeted in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills.
According to NJ.com's Dan Duggan, the Giants opened Saturday's game in a two-TE formation, allowing both Donnell and Will Tye to start. However, Tye went on to catch a pair of passes on the opening drive, eventually finishing the evening as Big Blue's only player with multiple receptions. Tye entered camp as a slight favorite for the starting job, and he seems to be moving closer to locking it down, though Donnell does still have time to make a push. The Giants might also end up using a rotation in the regular season.
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Garrett Graham TE | DEN
Broncos' Garrett Graham: Won't play Saturday
Graham (undisclosed) won't play in Saturday's preseason game versus the 49ers, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
Graham has yet to receive his first target in a Broncos uniform, but an unknown issue continues to ail the veteran tight end. Fellow tight ends Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman (hamstring) will continue to hold down the top 2 spots on the depth chart.
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Zach Sudfeld TE | NYJ
Jets' Zach Sudfeld: Finds end zone in win over Redskins
Sudfield caught all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Friday's win over the Redskins.
Sudfield wasn't targeted often Friday, but he made the most of his opportunities and hauled in every pass that was thrown his way, making an end zone nuisance of himself in the process. Sudfield should have every opportunity to battle for a starting spot in an offense that is in need of playmakers, and he will likely see an expanded amount of reps next week versus the Giants.