NFL Player News

After the Giants listed him atop the tight end depth chart, Larry Donnell has impressed in camp, reports the team's website. "Last week he dove for a pass down the middle and maintained possession of the ball after tumbling upon landing," the report said. "[Thursday], he jumped high in the end zone to grab a Ryan Nassib pass."

Coach Tom Coughlin said Donnell, a converted quarterback, "has a long way to go, but I like what I see."

Added tight ends coach Kevin M. Gilbride: "He has athleticism, size, speed and strength. He’s got it all as far as that’s concerned. We’re working hard to get him to develop his techniques and understand how to use his body within the blocking, within the inline position or even from the fullback position. He can do it physically and he’s starting to be able to do it athletically, meaning knowing how his body has to move to get those things done. So he’s improving."

Eagles offensive coordiantor Pat Shurmur said the tight end group has really improved, especially second-year pro Zach Ertz.

"When you look at each guy, Brent Celek is very veteran, but he's in great shape. He looks terrific. James Casey kind of does everything we ask him to do, whether it's run block, pass block. He's really good even out of the back ield at times," Shurmur said.

"Then Ertz has probably made the biggest improvement because he's the youngest guy. I think we can use any combination of one, two or three of them at any time. Really, we train our guys. Receivers and tight ends, they're all just skill players to us."

The Philadelphia Inquirer expects the tight ends, specifically Ertz, to benefit from the departures of receivers DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant.

Jets rookie tight end Jace Amaro had another rough practice Wednesday, reports ESPN.com. He ran some plays wrong, dropped a pass and got razzed by a defensive player. He also "got an earful from offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg," the report said.

Amaro played in a relatively simple offense in college and is struggling to learn the Jets' system.

"We know he's got the physical skills to do it," coach Rex Ryan told the website. "He's got to focus, and sometimes if your head is in other places and you're thinking (too much), it's hard to be at your best."

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce returned to practice Monday after missing Sunday's session with a sore knee, ESPN.com reports.

Kelce missed virtually all of his rookie season while recovering from a knee injury. He logged one game but had no receptions.

Following Sunday's practice, the Philadelphia Inquirer praised the development of Eagles tight end Zach Ertz and said he "could be the X-factor" in the offense this year. The paper noted linebacker DeMeco Ryans "had zero chance keeping up with the second-year player when he ran a zig route up the numbers on one play."

Ertz made several catches during the practice, but dropped a short throw in individual drills, the paper said. He had 36 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie.

Jets rookie tight end Jace Amaro is dealing with knee tendinitis but is expected to be on the field when the team resumes practice Tuesday, reports ESPN.com. Amaro was unable to finish practice Sunday.

Jets rookie tight end Jace Amaro suffered an apparent knee injury at Sunday's practice. According to ESPN.com, Amaro was struggling to put weight on his right knee and trainers put a heavy ice wrap on it.

The New York Daily News said the injury doesn't appear to be too serious.

Bills coach Doug Marrone said Saturday that tight end Tony Moeaki "could be out a while" while dealing with a hamstring injuy, the Democrat and Chronicle reports.

Moeaki has played in just 16 games over the last three seasons while dealing with a variety of injuries. He logged one game with the Bills last season but didn't tally any receptions.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis is making a good impression so far, reports the Associated Press.

The report says Lewis "absolutely killed his conditioning test," which impressed general manager Dave Caldwell.

"He's in the best shape of his life," Caldwell said.

The Giants' first unofficial depth chart lists Larry Donnell as the starting tight end. Adrien Robinson, who many thought would be the starter, is fifth on the depth chart.

Donnell (6-6, 265) is a third-year pro out of Grambling State. The blocking specialist played in every game last year, making three catches for 31 yards.