NFL Player News

Johnson (groin) took part in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

After being sidelined for about one week due to a minor groin injury, Johnson has been able to log some activity in back-to-back sessions, but it's unclear if he's back to 100 percent just yet. With fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Johnson would be the Saints' top option at the position for Sunday's preseason contest against the Chargers, assuming he's cleared to suit up.

Strange has had strong chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and been a consistent performer early in training camp, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

The 2023 second-round pick wasn't significantly involved in Jacksonville's passing game as a rookie, but he had a bit of a breakout in 2024 with 40 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. Strange is now positioned as the Jaguars' starting tight end after the offseason departure of Evan Engram, and building that chemistry with Lawrence is pivotal after the signal-caller was limited to just 10 games last year. According to John Shipley of SI.com, the Jaguars plan to give their starters some playing time in Saturday's preseason opener against Pittsburgh, though it remains to be seen how long the units actually remain in the game.

Long has made some standout plays early in training camp and appears to have the inside track to the No. 2 tight end job, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

The 26-year-old inked a two-year, $5 million contract with Jacksonville in March and has had a strong start to camp, giving him an early edge over Johnny Mundt (upper body) for the backup job to starting tight end Brenton Strange. Long failed to have much of an impact across his first three NFL seasons, but he played in all 17 regular-season games for the Rams last year and caught seven passes for 60 yards.

Petaia (undisclosed) was waived with an injury designation Thursday.

Petaia had been in the Chargers organization since signing with the team in April as part of the International Player Pathway training program. The former rugby player from Australia may opt to pursue that sport again once healthy. Even if he sticks with football, Petaia won't be eligible to play in 2025.

Ferguson (lower back) departed the practice field early Thursday after a collision in 11-on-11 drills, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Ferguson appeared to grab his lower back when leaving the field, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and he skipped a visit to the injury tent entirely before entering the locker room. The No. 1 tight end is less than two weeks removed from signing a four-year, $52 million extension with the Cowboys, and while the severity of his injury remains unknown, he now looks like a candidate to be unavailable for Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams. Luke Schoonmaker, who filled in admirably for Ferguson over a three-game stretch last season, figures to handle the bulk of first-team TE reps if Dallas' starter misses any time.

Stilianos signed with the Lions on Thursday.

Stilianos will provide organizational depth at tight end heading into the preseason. He's unlikely to make the team and has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

Yassmin signed a contract with the Chargers on Thursday, the team announced.

The tight end from Australia joins the team as part of the league's International Player Pathway training program to further develop his skills. The 25-year-old spent last season on the Broncos' practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January. Yassmin will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster as preseason gets started.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday that Smith is among the players who won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

The same goes for QB Aaron Rodgers, WR DK Metcalf, RB Jaylen Warren and TE Pat Freiermuth, as the Steelers plan to rest their key starters Saturday, unlike the Jaguars. After leaving Tuesday's practice due to knee soreness, Smith was back on the field Wednesday, which puts him in a position to be available for the team's Aug. 16 contest against the Buccaneers.

Mayer has been a standout of the early portion of Las Vegas' training camp, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.

Mayer's room for growth and involvement in the Raiders offense are severely capped due to the presence of second-year standout Brock Bowers, who McFadden also notes has displayed one of the most dynamic connections with new quarterback Geno Smith of all Las Vegas' offensive personnel. That said, Mayer himself said earlier this offseason that he expects to have a significant role in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's system, per Michael Canelo of SI, and there's room for the team to increase its usage of two-TE sets. The Raiders were also reportedly shopping Mayer as a trade candidate early in the offseason, and if the 2023 second-round pick is able to flash during preseason action, beginning Thursday night at Seattle, he could reignite such conversations around the league.

Helm is listed as the second tight end on the Titans' unofficial depth chart, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Helm, a fourth-round pick out of Texas, has already surpassed Josh Whyle on the depth chart and is immediately backing up Chig Okonkwo. Per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, the Titans' coaching staff has been impressed with Helm's ability to make contested catches early in his first training camp. Helm still may not see many offensive snaps his rookie season, as Tennessee could rely on two-tight-end sets less frequently after adding depth to the wide receiver corps this offseason.