NFL Player News

The Dolphins have engaged in trade talks with Pittsburgh revolving around Smith, who is seeking a reworked contract after breaking out with a career-best 88 catches, 884 yards and eight scores on 111 targets across 17 regular-season games in 2024, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Smith, who earned the first Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2024 and set new franchise records at the tight end position for Miami in terms of essentially all pass-catching metrics, is currently heading into the final season of his two-year, $10 million contract with the team and slated for just a $3.49 million base salary in 2025. His involvement on offense came at the expense of star wideouts Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle, and was due in part to coach Mike McDaniel's offense uncharacteristically abandoning downfield aggression in favor of short-area targets to Smith and running back De'Von Achane. The Dolphins' willingness to engage in trade talks regarding Smith, even after his productive breakout, could signal a desire for the team to resume primarily featuring Hill and Waddle, though that will only be possible if Tua Tagovailoa (hip) can remain healthier and an O-line that lost LT Terron Armstead to retirement is able to take a step forward. Pittsburgh should be considered a real suitor despite the presence of Pat Freiermuth, given offensive offensive coordinator's fondness for Smith, who he coached in both Tennessee and Atlanta.

Manhertz (finger) participated in Wednesday's practice, Anne-Marie Caruso of NorthJersey.com reports.

Manhertz underwent surgery after sustaining a finger injury in the Giants' 2024 season finale, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The 33-year-old from Canisius appeared in all 17 of New York's games last season, catching three passes for 30 yards and one touchdown across 329 offensive snaps. He's expected to remain one of the team's top reserve tight ends in 2025.

Conner (knee) was spotted participating in Wednesday's practice, Alan Poupart of Sports Illustrated reports.

Conner missed the final eight games of the Dolphins' 2024 season due to a knee injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The Idaho State product has appeared in 24 regular-season games since entering the league in 2022, playing primarily on special teams (293 snaps). He's expected to compete for a similar role in Miami throughout the summer.

Woods (toe) participated in Wednesday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Woods missed each of the Colts' last two seasons due to toe and hamstring injuries, but his participation in Wednesday's practice suggests he's past those issues. In his rookie campaign in 2022, the Virginia product caught 25 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns over 15 games. Now back on the field, Woods is expected to compete for a reserve role in Indianapolis' tight-end room.

Henry (foot) was on the field for Wednesday's practice during the Patriots' current voluntary organized team activities, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

A foot injury sidelined Henry for the final game of the 2024 regular season, but Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays that the tight end wasn't among the players limited at Wednesday's session. Henry, who recorded a receiving line of 66/674/2 on 97 targets in 16 games last season, is back for his fifth year with New England and is set to maintain his role as the top pass-catching option in a TE corps that also features fellow returnee Austin Hooper, who notched 45 catches in 2024.

Pitts (foot) is present for OTAs on Wednesday but is not participating in on-field activities due to an injury, Kyle Crabbs of AtoZ Sports reports.

Pitts' absence from the start of OTAs on Tuesday, as well as Wednesday's session, was speculated to be contract-related, but the 24-year-old tight end is simply dealing with a foot issue preventing him from taking part in on-field drills. The Falcons exercised the $10.88 million fifth-year option on Pitts' rookie contract last April, so he enters the 2025 season staring down a contract year. The Florida product has largely disappointed since racking up 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie in 2021, having battled injuries in 2022 then tallying receiving lines of just 53-667-3 in 2023 and 47-602-4 in 2024, though he has now suited up for all 17 games in back-to-back seasons. In three games with Michael Penix under center last year Pitts combined for just seven catches for 66 yards and one touchdown, so it seems crucial that he returns to full health sooner than later so that he can begin establishing a rapport with the second-year quarterback.

Johnson (foot) is working with the Giant's first-team offense and new quarterback Russell Wilson at OTAs on Wednesday, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

New York officially kicked off OTAs on Tuesday, but reporters were not allowed in attendance until Wednesday's session, in which Paul Schwartz of the New York Post spotted the second-year tight end taking part in drills without any apparent issues. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Johnson quickly emerged as the Giants' top tight end in his rookie campaign following the offseason retirement of Darren Waller. He logged 29 catches for 331 yards and one score (43 targets) across 12 regular-season appearances before a Lisfranc injury forced him to undergo surgery and spend the final five games on IR. Now healthy, Johnson will work with new quarterbacks Wilson, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart to attempt to solidify himself as a reliable receiving option behind top wideout Malik Nabers (toe).

Tremble underwent a successful procedure on his back last week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Coach Dave Canales indicated Tuesday that Tremble is expected to be fully recovered at some point in training camp. Once the 2021 third-rounder returns to the field, he'll reclaim a role in a TE corps that features Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans. In 12 contests last season, Tremble recorded 23 catches on 32 targets for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Thursday that Holker (undisclosed) is dealing with a "minor" injury, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Colorado State product served as the Saints' No. 3 tight end in 2024, catching three of his four targets for 21 yards while playing 104 total snaps (73 offensive, 31 on special teams) across 12 regular-season games. With Holker and Foster Moreau (knee) currently sidelined, Jack Stoll and Moliki Matavao will likely see increased offensive reps.

Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Thursday that Moreau (knee) won't participate in the team's offseason program, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Moreau is still recovering from the knee injury sustained in early January, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined for the Saints' offseason activities. Since coming over from Las Vegas ahead of the 2023 season, Moreau has appeared in 32 regular-season games, recording 53 receptions for 606 yards and six touchdowns. He played 711 offensive snaps in 2024 -- the second-most of his career -- so once he returns from injury, Moreau is likely to compete for a role as one of the Saints' top vertical threats at tight end.