NFL Player News

Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld continued to look like the team's top player at his position not named Rob Gronkowski during the preseason win over the Buccaneers Friday.

Sudfeld caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett in the second quarter of the game to put New England up 18-7. Sudfeld, who was targeted four times in the game, finished with two catches for 32 yards and the TD. He had one catch for 22 yards in the preseason opener against Philadelphia.

Sudfeld could start Week 1 if Gronkowski is too injured to play.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen has shed his walking boot and could play in the regular season opener against the Raiders, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star The Colts are getting healthier at that position. Coby Fleener returned from a concussion on Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against the Giants.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham said he's over his wrist injury from last year and claimed he and quarterback Drew Brees are in "mid-season form" and that he and his teammares are "more dynamic offensively than we've ever been."

In a chat with USA Today, Graham assures that he's healthy but admitted last year was tough on him. 

"Last year was very difficult playing all season with that much pain," said Graham, who won't reveal whether the wrist was broken. "But that's football. I'm going to be a man and play for this team no matter what."

Patriots undrafted rookie Zach Sudfield continues to get a majority of the first-team work and is ahead of Daniel Fells and Jake Ballard in the tight end pecking order, reports the Boston Globe. If Rob Gronkowski (back) isn't ready for the regular-season opener, Sudfield could be the Week 1 starter.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen was in a walking boot and using crutches at practice Tuesday, reports the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Coach Chuck Pagano has said Allen will return from his foot injury in time for the season opener.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew dropped a wide-open touchdown pass in Tuesday's practice, prompting MLive.com to observe that he's shown "minimal improvement" with his hands.

"He really is in phenomenal shape, and has put in a lot of hard work as he looks to bounce back from last season, but he's shown minimal improvement with [his] hands," the report said. "That's not to say he can't have an outstanding season, but the frustrating drops will likely to remain part of the package."

" data-canon="Jacksonville Jaguars" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> tight end Marcedes Lewis<player idref= scolded the offense after another lackluster practice Tuesday, reports the Florida Times-Union. <player idref= hit 4 of 10 throws, and Chad Henne went 5 of 8 on a day the offense "lacked any kind of rhythm," the paper said.

“We’ve been building and getting better since April and we came out today and didn’t get better, plain and simple,” Lewis said. “That wasn’t good enough. That’s not acceptable. In years past, it may have been acceptable and we may have come into the locker room without even mentioning what happened. But mediocrity can’t be accepted.

“Sometimes you can be sluggish and get your second wind during a practice and then complete passes and stay on your blocks. But for one reason or another, that didn’t happen.”

Eagles tight end James Casey did not play a snap with the starters during the first preseason game against the Patriots, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Brent Celek played all 21 snaps and was all over the place and from four of five formations either blocked or ran pass routes. He started eight plays lined up as a halfback. Four times he started from the traditional tight end spot to the left or right of the tackle. And he also lined up four times in the slot, three times split wide and twice he started in the backfield to the left of the quarterback in the shotgun.

The report said as much as rookie Zach Ertz will be a part of the offense, his development as a blocker will probably keep Celek as the No. 1 tight end. 

" data-canon="New Orleans Saints" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> tight end Jimmy Graham led the NFL with 14 drops last season, though he played part of the year with an injured wrist. The Times-Picayune reports Graham "has continued to struggle with occasional dropped balls during training camp."

Graham dropped two passes in practice Monday and bobbled another before corralling it in traffic. The paper still expects a "monster year" from Graham, but says "he needs to make sure the drops don't become a habit."

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said tight end Dwayne Allen will miss a couple weeks with a foot injury but should be back for the season opener, reports ESPN.com. In Allen's absence, Coby Fleener started Sunday against Buffalo and caught two passes for 37 yards.