NFL Player News

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew is not doing a good job endearing himself to Detroit fans. After ranking third in the NFL among tight ends in dropped passes last season, Pettigrew had an abysmal performance in Sunday's opener against the Vikings, totaling two catches for 6 yards and losing a fumble.

Despite his struggles, coach Jim Schwartz is coming to Pettigrew's defense.

"He has worked really hard at ball security," Schwartz said Monday, per MLive.com. "The one he fumbled on the screen, he's making a cut back and he has two offensive lineman out in front of him and both of them go after the same guy. You can see his eyes on the play, he looks inside and he figured that guy is out of the equation."

Although third-string tight end Joseph Fauria outperformed Pettigrew Sunday, Pettigrew remains the team's best blocker at tight end, which will likely keep him in the starting lineup.

"I thought Pettigrew blocked very well in this game," Schwartz said. "Particularly some of the behind the ball stuff that we do with him. The way the coverage was. Particularly early in the game."

Lions tight end Joseph Fauria played just 11 snaps in his NFL debut Sunday against the Vikings, but they were a productive 11 snaps, as he totaled three catches for 27 yards and one touchdown. His performance pushed coach Jim Schwartz to say Fauria, who is third on the depth chart behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, is making a bid for more playing time.

"(Fauria) made very good use of the time he was in," Schwartz said, per MLive.com. "Scored the touchdown, which was a difference-maker. A two-score game is a lot different than a one-score game. ... His making the catch on the fade made it the 10-point game at that point and was going to make it very difficult for the Vikings to get back in it. The greatest reward is opportunity to do more. If he can continue to show that stuff, show up for practice and deliver in games, I think there's going to be good opportunities for him."

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was noncommittal Monday about the expected return of tight end Marcedes Lewis, who missed Week 1 with a calf injury. His status for Week 2 at Oakland is to be determined.

"Marcedes Lewis is doing better," Bradley said, per The Florida Times-Union. "It's too early to say a status for this week, but we'll see how he does the next few days. We may have a chance to get him back."

Texans tight end Garrett Graham capitalized on his five targets Monday, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. Graham, who had three scores last season, gives Houston one of the best tight end combos in the league with starter Owen Daniels.

Graham plays the Titans at home in Week 2.

Eagles rookie tight end Zach Ertz played in his first regular-season game Week 1 on Monday night in Washington. Ertz was a winner in his debut as he made his first NFL reception. 

Ertz's catch went for 11 yards from quarterback Michael Vick. He saw three targets in the game behind starter Brent Celek. Celek finished with two catches for 56 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown. 

The Eagles should continue to work Ertz more and more into the offense beginning Week 2 at home against the San Diego Chargers. 

Several Texans will suit up Monday night after being listed as probable on the injury report. They include corners A.J. Bouye (knee) and Brice McCain (knee), tight end Garrett Graham (hip), linebacker Whitney Mercilus (hamstring), safety Eddie Pleasant (knee), wideout DeVier Posey (Achilles), guard Wade Smith (knee) and linebacker Brooks Reed (back).

The Eagles have listed the following players as being inactive for the Week 1 Monday night game in Washington: Quarterback Matt Barkley; cornerback Shaun Prater; tackle Matt Tobin; defensive end Vinny Curry; and tight end Emil Igwenagu. 

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said the MRI on Dwayne Allen's injured hip was negative. Pagano said Allen, who was injured Sunday against the Raiders, will receive treatment Tuesday and is hopeful he will practice Wednesday.

The Colts are preparing to play the Dolphins Week 2.

Patriots rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld reportedly pulled a hamstring during Sunday's game against the Bills, which is why he didn't play in the fourth quarter, a source told The Boston Globe. Sudfeld had a disappointing debut Week 1, totaling no catches and one target, which deflected off his hands and was picked off by a Buffalo defender.

Injuries during the preseason limited Eagles tight end James Casey's reps and opened the door for speculation he might have cost himself a significant role in Chip Kelly's offense. Whether that is the case or not remains to be seen, but as for his role Week 1 at Washington, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has been noncommittal, according to The Philadelphia Daily News.

"He's doing a good job. Most likely he's going to be active and we'll use him," Shurmur said. "The one thing about our roster, I think on offense, anybody that's active is preparing to play the whole game, so we'll just have to see how many of the position or personnel groups that we use involve him . . . He's very multiple. He can play our wide spot. He can play our 'A' spot."

Shurmur wouldn't say if rookie Zach Ertz has moved ahead of Casey on the depth chart.

"I think you have your starter [Brent Celek] and then you have your guys who are role players. I wouldn't say that," Shurmur said.