NFL Player News

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen made a highlight-reel play in his first game back since hip surgery. Hauling in a short pass on the sideline, Allen used his strength and balance to stay inbounds for a 41-yard touchdown.

The play pulled Indy within 31-17 of Denver midway through the fourth quarter. Allen, who caught four of five targets for 64 yards, plays the Eagles in Week 2.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce hauled in the first catches of his NFL career during a 26-10 loss Week 1 against the Titans.

Kelce, who appeared in just one game in 2013, hauled in his first career catch on a 27-yard gain in the second quarter. He almost had his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Alex Smith overthrew him in the end zone on what would have been a 10-yard completion.

Kelce finished with three catches for 49 yards. He was targeted five times. The Chiefs are back in action Week 2 at Denver.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz lived up to lofty expectations when he caught three of five targets for 77 yards including a 25-yard touchdown haul vs. the Jaguars in Week 1 action. 

Ertz should continue to be a matchup problem for opponents this season including next week at the Colts.

Newly acquired Patriots tight end Timothy Wright did not find himself integrated into the offense in his first game Sunday against the Dolphins in Week 1.

Wright, who was acquired via trade little more than a week ago, was targeted just three times in the passing game. He hauled in all three receptions but totaled just 15 yards in the game, a 33-20 loss.

Wright should see his role increase as he gets more comfortable in his new surroundings. The Patriots face the Vikings in Week 2. 

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was still quarterback Drew Brees' favorite target Week 1 at Atlanta, leading the way in both targets (10) and receptions (eight), but he never got a chance to show off his big-play ability in the season opener. None of his receptions went for more than 17 yards, giving him a total of 82 on the day.

For most tight ends, that would be an accomplishment, but usually when Graham gets that many catches, he goes for more than 100 yards. And even more often, he scores a touchdown.

Of course, Graham wasn't the only one of Brees' targets held out of the end zone. The Saints so often found themselves inside the 5-yard line that they relied on their running game for most of their scores. They had three touchdowns on the ground compared to only one through the air.

Graham will try again for his first touchdown Week 2 at Cleveland.

Several Browns skill position players made minor contributions Sunday in Pittsburgh. Among them was tight end Jim Dray, who caught two passes for 30 yards. Fellow tight end Gary Barnidge added a reception for 13 yards.

Starting wideout Miles Austin managed a disappointing two catches for 20 yards while rookie Taylor Gabriel pitched in with two snags for 13 yards.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis caught 6 of 9 passes thrown his way but had just 35 yards. Perhaps his most relevant target came on a fourth-and-short play in the second half and he bobbled and dropped it. 

The Jaguars will play at the Redskins in Week 2. 

Texans tight end Garrett Graham was ruled inactive Week 1 against the Redskins due to a back injury. C.J. Fiedorowicz replaced him in the starting lineup.

The Vikings have announced that the following players will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams: quarterback Christian Ponder, cornerback Shaun Prater, fullback Zach Line, lineback Michael Mauti, linebacker Brandon Watts, guard David Yankey and tight end MarQueis Gray.

Ponder is the team's third quarterback behind starter Matt Cassel and rookie first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham, who is questionable with a back injury, will not play Week 1 vs. Washington, a source told NFL Network. Rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz is expected to start in Graham's absence.