NFL Player News

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.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who missed virtually his entire rookie season with a knee injury, went through a full practice Monday for the first time in nearly a year, reports ESPN.com. Kelce "moved around well and did so without a brace or any other kind of protection on the knee," the report said.

"From here, it’s just a matter of getting back into football shape and getting ready to play a 16-game season," Kelce said.

The 6-5, 260-pounder "figures large" in the Chiefs' plans for getting more production out of the tight end position, the website said.

The Packers are trying to figure out their tight end situation heading into training camp, reports ESPN.

The longer Jermichael Finley (neck) remains unsigned, the more likely it appears his time in Green Bay -- and perhaps in the NFL -- is over, despite his desire to continue to play.

The Packers re-signed Andrew Quarless to a two-year, $3 million contract in March, but that's hardly starter's money. The door is open for rookie third-round draft pick Richard Rodgers, who performed well enough during the organized team activities and minicamp practices (which Quarless missed because of injury) to move into the starting spot. Rodgers has the kind of dynamic athletic ability that Finley brought to the position.

The wild card there is Colt Lyerla, the undrafted but talented rookie from Oregon. Had Lyerla not left the Ducks' program and run into trouble subsequently last year, he might have been a high draft pick. The Packers also will have to assess whether Brandon Bostick can make a bigger impact than he did last season. 

Jimmy Graham's new contract with the Saints is a four-year, $40 million deal, including $20 million to $21 million guaranteed, reports NFL Network. Graham becomes the highest-paid tight end in league history. 

His average salary ranks above Rob Gronkowski's $9 million annual average.

The Saints and tight end Jimmy Graham reached agreement on a longterm contract, the team confirmed. Earlier Tuesday, Graham tweeted: "It's official. I'm bleeding black and gold this morning! Thank you WhoDatNation for all the support."

According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the deal will average $10 million annually. The Saints said only that it's a multiyear contract.

The Saints and Jimmy Graham are "closing in" on a longterm deal that will make him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. The sides have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to reach agreement or else Graham must play under the franchise tag.

Schefter reports there's now optimism a deal will get done.

The Saints' Jimmy Graham appealed an arbitrator's ruling declaring him a tight end and not a receiver, reports NFL Network. The ruling could cost Graham $5 million this year if he and the team don't reach a longterm contract agreement.

Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET is the deadline for the sides to reach agreement. Otherwise, if Graham loses the appeal, he'd have to play 2014 under the $7 million tight end franchise tag or sit out.

Saints tight end Benjamin Watson told ESPN that the the team's arbitration fight with Jimmy Graham over whether he's a receiver or a tight end won't have a longterm detrimental effect. Watson is hopeful the sides will reach a multiyear contract agreement by Tuesday's deadline.

"I’m very confident that it’ll be resolved the right way and guys can move forward," Watson said. "Obviously it’s always tough when you go through litigation with somebody, and it can probably get heated. And I’m sure there are emotions on both sides. But that is the business side of the game. 

"And it’s unfortunate that it came to that and that it was so public. But I really think -- I know, I don’t think -- I know that Jimmy loves New Orleans and I know that he loves our team and the organization and he loves playing here. And we love him, everybody wants him here, coaches included. So when it comes down to contract situations, that’s just a necessary evil ... not even evil, but just a necessary progression of getting a player here."

The Saints have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to sign Jimmy Graham to a longterm deal. Now comes word, via Pro Football Talk, that Graham faces a Monday deadline, also at 4 p.m. ET, to appeal the arbitrator's ruling declaring him a tight end.

The website believes Graham will file the appeal hoping to get a better contract offer from the Saints. If no deal is reached and his appeal is denied, Graham will have to play the 2014 season under the $7 million franchise tag for tight ends, not the $12 million receiver tag he sought.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen played just 32 snaps last season before suffering a season-ending hip injury. His loss took a lot of unique formations out of Indianapolis' playbook as they intended to use a lot of two-tight end sets and feature Allen, the official team website reports.

However, with Allen healed and ready to start training camp, the site says the "possibilities are endless" in how the Colts use Allen and teammate Coby Fleener this season. 

"It makes us a better football team," tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts said of a healthy Allen. "Getting him back is like getting a brand new player."

The Colts expect to be more creative on offense with Allen back in the fold.