NFL Player News

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew was held out of portions of Wednesday's practice due to a foot injury, reports MLive.com.

Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was targeted once without a catch Week 1. He played nine offensive snaps. "Obviously, I want to be out on the field more," Escobar told the Dallas Morning News.

Tight end James Hanna played 15 snaps, a disheartening sign for those expecting Escobar to have a big role this season behind starter Jason Witten. Coach Jason Garrett said the team went to three-receiver sets because of the big deficit to the 49ers, and that Escobar will play more as the season progresses.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham, who sat out Week 1 due to a back injury, said he hopes to play Week 2 against the Raiders, according to The Houston Chronicle. He did return to practice Wednesday.

The Saints' Jimmy Graham played 61 snaps Week 1 at Atlanta, but only 31 as a traditional tight end. Graham lined up as a receiver on the other 30 snaps. The New Orleans Times-Picayune considered Graham a tight end whenever he had his hand on the ground, was on the offensive line, or was very close to the line and engaged primarily in blocking.

Graham caught eight passes for 82 yards and was productive wherever he lined up, according to the paper. But his longest gain went for 17 yards.

The Eagles signed linebacker Brandon Hepburn and offensive lineman Tyler Hoover to the practice squad Tuesday and released linebacker Colton Underwood.

Lions tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria failed to make much of an impact in a Week 1 win at home over the Giants.

Pettigrew caught his lone target for a 9-yard gain in the opening quarter. He was held without a catch in the second half.

Fauria was held without a grab in the first half before making a 26-yard grab in the third quarter. He nearly came down with a touchdown on that drive, but Prince Amukamara batted a pass intended for him in the end zone. He was targeted again in the end zone on the ensuing drive, but Matthew Stafford's throw was off the mark. He finished with one catch for 26 yards in a 35-14 victory.

Giants tight end Larry Donnell found the end zone for the first time in his career in a opening-week loss to the Lions on Monday.

Donnell caught a 19-yard pass from Eli Manning late in the opening quarter, after being held without a catch for the first three drives. He caught a fade pass from Manning in the corner of the end zone, but had his left toe barely out of bounds. He got another crack at it two plays late, catching another fade pass -- this time from the other side of the field -- for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Donnell was targeted eight times and finished with five catches for a team-high 56 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 victory.

The Giants will host the Cardinals in Week 2.

The Cardinals declared safety Tyrann Mathieu (knee), tight end Darren Fells, quarterback Logan Thomas, guard Earl Watford, linebackers Alex Okafor and Glenn Carson, and defensive end Kareem Martin inactive for Monday night's game against San Diego. 

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce played just 18 snaps in Week 1's loss to the Titans Sunday, a total coach Andy Reid admitted may have been too low Monday.

"He’s capable of playing more than 18 plays," Reid told The Kansas City Star Monday.

Kelce was productive when he was on the field, hauling in three of five passes thrown his way for 49 yards. He could see an increased role moving forward. 

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley updated the status on a few of his team's injured players when talking with reporters Monday. The Jaguars play the Redskins in Week 2.

He said running back Toby Gerhart has an ankle sprain and will be limited early in the practice week. 

Bradley said tight end Marcedes Lewis could be limited Wednesday due to a knee injury, but he should play Sunday. Linebacker Paul Posluszny (knee) should practice Wednesday as well.

Bradley added safety Johnathan Cyprien is going through the concussion protocol, and wide receiver Cecil Shorts -- who was inactive Week 1 due to a hamstring injury -- will run Tuesday. The team will determine Shorts' status later in the week.