NFL Player News

Loveland had two receptions for 26 yards on as many targets in Sunday's preseason rout of the Bills.

Cole Kmet made his preseason debut, but Loveland still got some work in with the starting offense. In fact, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft caught QB Caleb Williams' first pass attempt of the evening. The more-experienced Kmet is expected to be the starting tight end this season, but Sunday showed us that Loveland will get worked into this new-look offense under Ben Johnson.

Kmet took his only reception for 29 yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Bills.

Kmet was the only question mark amongst the first-team offense heading into Sunday's dress rehearsal, but he wound up suiting up after working with the training staff pregame. The veteran starter showed no ill effects from the minor back injury he was nursing earlier in camp, ripping off a 29-yard gain with his only touch against Buffalo. Kmet posted a modest 47-474-4 receiving line in 17 games last season, but he will face playing time competition after the Bears drafted TE Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in this year's draft.

Taylor caught his only target for four yards in Saturday's 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants.

Taylor saw his first NFL game action after sitting out the team's preseason opener due to an ankle injury. He caught a four-yard pass from Justin Fields on the Jets' first offensive play, accounting for the starting quarterback's only completion in two drives of action. The rookie tight end already has ascended to the top of the depth chart at his position.

Ferguson didn't suit up for Saturday's preseason loss to the Ravens.

The tight end missed the Cowboys' first exhibition contest the week before due to a minor lower-back issue, but per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ferguson was able to return to practice Tuesday. Ferguson's absence against Baltimore was simply due to the coaching staff electing to sit all the starters and key personnel, including QB Dak Prescott. Ferguson will get one more chance to see preseason action Friday against the Falcons.

Kmet may not suit up with the rest of Chicago's starters during Sunday's preseason game against Buffalo, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Bears are expected to play their starters versus the Bills, according to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune. This would include Kmet as TE1, but he was seen working under the supervision of members of Chicago's training staff during early pregame warmups, which indicates that he's not guaranteed to participate in Sunday's exhibition. The 26-year-old was previously sidelined with a back injury for a couple days during training camp before he returned to the field Aug. 8. If Kmet is out, then rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland would be in line to start ahead of fellow tight end Durham Smythe.

The Eagles traded Bryant to the Texans on Sunday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Bryant was traded along with a 2026 fifth-round pick for John Metchie and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Bryant had signed with Philadelphia in March and will now compete with Cade Stover and Irv Smith to serve as Houston's No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz.

Manhertz (undisclosed) didn't play against the Jets in Saturday's preseason contest, and he appears to be dealing with an injury, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Manhertz also didn't participate in joint practices with the Jets last week, per Evan Barnes of Newsday, though it's not clear what type of issue he's dealing with. The veteran tight end has little appeal in fantasy due to his lack of work in the passing game, though he's valuable to the Giants' offense for his work as a blocker.

Bellinger (undisclosed) didn't play in Saturday's preseason win against the Jets, and Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports that the tight end is dealing with an injury.

The nature of the issue that kept Bellinger sidelined is unclear, and it may not be serious given that he was able to run on a side field during the practice week, according to Duggan. With Theo Johnson locked in as New York's starting TE for the coming campaign, Bellinger doesn't have much appeal as a fantasy asset, though he could be a helpful component of the Giants offense for his work as a blocker. However, he may have competition for that role with Chris Manhertz (undisclosed), and New York also has Greg Dulcich among its tight-end corps.

Quitoriano played 13 special-teams snaps during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.

After not suiting up during the preseason opener, Quitoriano played exclusively on special teams against the Titans. Despite the limited action, Quitoriano made his presence felt, forcing and recovering a fumble during a kickoff in the third quarter. Quitoriano is battling with Feleipe Franks for the third, and likely final, tight end spot behind Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner.

Franks caught his only target for nine yards during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.

Franks has started the first two preseason games. After playing only 10 total snaps (eight offense) and not recording a target in the opener, Franks played 41 total snaps (20 special teams) against the Titans and secured his lone target. Franks is battling with Teagan Quitoriano for the third, and likely final, tight end spot behind Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner.