NFL Player News

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is fully recovered from a hip injury that derailed his 2013 season. In fact, he says he feels almost 110 percent.

That has general manager Ryan Grigson excited about Allen's 2014 season.

“Dwayne Allen, the guy’s a beast,” Grigson said. “Anyone who game plans against him or watches the tape, or Joe Fan that just sees him how he plays in the red zone, how he plays in traffic, how he blocks at the point of attack, the tempo he plays at and the ferocity he plays at, he’s a guy you want on your team.

“He’s doing very well and we look forward to him having a great year.”

Anthony Fasano is the Chiefs' starting tight end, but second-year pro Travis Kelce will be "their pass receiver at tight end" and "an important piece" in the passing game, reports ESPN.com. Kelce missed all of last season following microfracture surgery but is expected to be ready for OTAs.

The Chiefs got only 53 catches from tight ends last year.

Free agent tight end Chase Coffman tweeted he's been told he won't be re-signed by the Falcons. Coffman appeared in 11 games last season without making a catch.

Calling him a "unique, physical specimen," new Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he expects to see more from second-year tight end Joseph Fauria in 2014. Fauria made waves as a rookie last year catching seven touchdowns (including three in the same game) on just 18 catches. 

"We've got the tall guy who can get down in the goal line area we can do something with, but not only that, I think you'll see Joe's going to be pretty good out in the field, too," Caldwell said from the NFL Owners Meetings. "[T]here will be some things he can do every down, there will be some things, obviously, he can do on passing downs as well. ... Do I think that he's one of those guys you can put in a bunch of point-of-attack runs and heavy run-oriented situations? I think you're misusing him in terms of his talent level. I mean the guy is athletic, he can run, he can jump, and to take him and pidgeon hole him into one area, I think, would be unfair. I do think he's talented enough to play on every down but I do also think that he's a specialized talent that you have to make certain that you put him in the best possible position in order to be successful."

Fauria will battle for playing time this summer; the team re-signed fellow tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who might end up seeing far more playing time but not necessarily as many targets. 

Saints owner Tom Benson is confident the team will strike a long-term deal with Jimmy Graham at some point this offseason, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He's a hell of a good player, but he's also a good person," Benson said. "I'm confident we'll work out something. We just have a little bit of time to do it. That's all."

Benson said there's no pressure to get a deal done quickly, despite the April 22 deadline for Graham to challenge his franchise tag designation as a tight end. Graham wants to be paid like a receiver.

The Saints and Jimmy Graham are expected to finalize a long-term deal before April 22, the deadline for Graham to file a grievance challenging his designation as a tight end, a league source tells Pro Football Talk. New Orleans placed the tight end franchise tag on Graham.

"Graham can make a strong case for consideration as a receiver for tag purposes," the report said. "The Saints can make a compelling case, too, but they surely have no desire to draw battle lines with one of their best players. That’s why it makes plenty of sense to resolve the situation before it can take a potentially ugly turn."

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, who had hip surgery in October, says he feels great and is back to 100 percent. He's doing pilates three days a week and should participate in OTAs next month, according to the team's website.

Under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew anticipates more passes thrown his way. He had 41 catches last season, a big drop from the 71 and 83 receptions he made in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“I think these guys kind of want to open up the game a little bit more,” Pettigrew told the team's website after re-signing with Detroit for $16 million over four years. “Spread the ball out a little bit more and try to get the tight ends the ball.

“Knowing what (Lombardi) is coming from (New Orleans), the expectation is that balls will be coming my way a little bit more. It sounds fun. It sounds exciting.“

Pettigrew, however, will continue to do a lot of blocking in the running game.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew agreed to a four-year, $16-million deal to stay in Detroit on Thursday that includes $8 million guaranteed, reports the Detroit Free Press . Pettigrew was considering leaving the Lions for the Jets or the Raiders.

He had 41 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 2013. In five seasons, Pettigrew has 284 catches and 16 touchdowns.

He's expected to remain the No. 1 tight end but also share time with Joseph Fauria.

Free agent tight Brandon Pettigrew could sign a new deal soon, reports the New York Daily News.

The report says Pettigrew is drawing interest from the Jets, Raiders and the Lions, his former team. He is expected to make his decision shortly, and the Jets would like to find an upgrade at the position.

Pettitgrew, 29, had 41 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games last season for the Lions. He has spent his entire five-year career in Detroit.