NFL Player News

Jets tight end Jace Amaro had to leave Wednesday's OTA session after sustaining a back injury, reports NJ.com.

The severity of the injury is not known. Amaro was seen clutching his back after running a route during the OTA session Wednesday. Amaro caught 38 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns last season. 

Jimmy Graham is a proven NFL player. He's a three-time Pro Bowl tight end who is entering his sixth season in the league, but he's dealing with the difficulties of transitioning from one franchise to another, per The Seattle Times.

Graham was traded by the Saints to the Seahawks in early March. 

“Everything’s been amazing so far — it really has," Graham said. "From the guys to the coaches to the training staff, everyone’s been truly amazing, and it’s been a great transition so far.”

Though the transition to the environment and personnel has been smooth, Graham will have to adjust to a slightly different role on this Seahawks team. Graham, who was targeted at least 120 times in the passing game over the last four years, will need to accommodate himself in a slightly reduced role within the Seahawks balanced offense.

"I know I’m probably not going to get targeted 130 times. But that’s not my concern; I just want to win games," Graham said. "And I know there will be times — big moments in a game where I’m going to have to go out there and make a play. That’s what I’m focusing on — making sure that when the ball comes my way, I’m ready to take hold of every opportunity, and to not let any of these opportunities pass me by.”

Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for the Saints.

Giants tight end Larry Donnell was not on the field Monday, per ESPN, which is reporting that his left foot is in a walking boot. He has been diagnosed with Achilles tendinitis.

There had been no previous indication that he was hurt.

Donnell enjoyed a breakout season in 2014 with 63 catches for 623 yards and six touchdowns after snagging just three passes the previous year.

After a breakout 2014 season, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is looking to build on his success. 

Kelce caught 67 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns a year ago and figures to be even more of an integral part of Kansas City's offense. 

As a result, Kelce wants to raise the bar and set a higher standard for his personal output this season. 

“Nobody puts more expectation on me than myself," Kelce said, via ESPN.com. “That’s just the heart of the competitor. That’s how I was raised. My father taught me that you can buy a man’s back, but you can’t buy his heart. With that being said, I come out here and make sure I put all my effort and focus into being the best player I can be."

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is ready to have a wide open training camp battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot, according to AZCardinals.com.

Logan Thomas, Chandler Harnish and rookie Phillip Sims will battle it out for the third position throughout OTAs and training camp, according to Arians.

Thomas appeared in two games for Arizona last year, going 1 for 9 for 81 yards and a touchdown. Harnish has been a backup for the first three seasons of his career with the Colts and Vikings and has not appeared in a game.

The Chiefs announced Tuesday they signed running back Keshawn Hill, guard Melvin Meggs, center Dan Munyer and tackle Kevin Palmer.

The Chiefs also released fullback Manasseh Garner, tight end Earnest Pettway and tackle Charles Sweeton.

Mickey Shuler Jr. is back for his second stint with the Falcons. While the 2010 seventh-round pick will be battling for a roster spot in training camp, first-year coach Dan Quinn already seems impressed with the 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end.

"(Shuler) has come back in, and he looks strong," Quinn said, per the AJC.com. "We’ll get a better evaluation of him when we get into camp. I have a sense that he may really thrive as a blocker in this system. It will be interesting to see what he can do."

Shuler has just two catches for 44 yards in nine career games (three starts).

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen can become a free agent after the 2015 season, but he said he's more concerned with how he performs than how much he'll earn in the future, reports the team's official website.

"I play this game because I want to be the best, not because I want to be the highest paid or anything like that," Allen said. "With the contract looming, it is what is. Me thinking about a contract isn't going to help me play any better on the field. Me focusing on having my body in the best shape possible to go out and help the team will."

Allen dealt with a high ankle sprain during the 2014 season, but he said he's healthy heading into the 2015 season.

"I felt 70 percent for the better part of [2014]," Allen said. "Having an offseason to really train like the offseason I had my rookie year or the offseason I had going into the second year, before I was injured, was my main focus. I'm glad I was able to get away and get that taken care of."

The Ravens released quarterback Keith Wenning and tight end Phillip Supernaw, reports The Baltimore Sun.

Wenning was a sixth-round pick in 2014, but he never received a snap during the regular season, while Supernaw played in six games for the Ravens and totaled two receptions for 27 yards.

The Broncos claimed tight end Marcel Jensen off waivers, the team announced.

Jensen had one catch for eight yards while playing with the Jaguars last season.