NFL Player News

Johnson (undisclosed) took part in individual drills at Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson returning as at least a limited participant Thursday lends optimism to the notion that the undisclosed injury he sustained Tuesday or Wednesday is indeed minor, and shouldn't hamper him for more than a few days. The 28-year-old veteran has surpassed 500 receiving yards in two of the last three seasons and is currently positioned as New Orleans' clear top tight end, with positional mates Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) on the active/PUP list. A quick return to team reps will be beneficial for Johnson, as he works to establish chemistry with QBs Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Fant is expected to sign with the Bengals after both sides came to terms Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Fant's first visit as a free agent after being released by Seattle was to Cincinnati, and though he subsequently met with New Orleans and Miami, the 2019 first-round pick now appears set to join Mike Gesicki atop the Bengals' tight end depth chart. The fit is somewhat intriguing, as Fant boasts receiving chops and now joins a prolific passing game, but he faces a murky role and may have to settle for a definitive depth gig behind Gesicki, whom Cincinnati inked to a three-year, $25.5 million extension this offseason.

The Patriots signed Fotheringham (undisclosed) to a contract Wednesday.

Fotheringham was let go with an injury settlement by the Broncos in early June due to an undisclosed injury. He appears to be past the issue, and the Utah product will look to earn a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster as a backup tight end. Fotheringham last saw regular-season action in 2023 with the Raiders, when he played 32 snaps (21 on offense, 11 on special teams) across two games while catching one pass for six yards.

Strange is operating as the Jaguars' starting tight end at training camp, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

This comes as zero surprise following Evan Engram's offseason departure to Denver, but it was noteworthy that Jacksonville did very little at the tight end position during the offseason, opting to add only depth-type blockers Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long and Quintin Morris. Strange started eight regular-season games that Engram missed last season, totaling 29-285-2 receiving in those contests. Strange is a popular late-round pick at tight end in early fantasy drafts this summer.

The Patriots signed Davis (shoulder) to a contract Wednesday.

Davis missed the entire 2024 season due to a shoulder injury. He last saw regular-season action in 2022 with the Packers, when he played in all 17 games and posted four catches (on seven targets) for 26 yards while mostly serving in a blocking and special teams role. Now in New England, Davis will use practices and preseason games to compete for a backup tight end spot on the 53-man roster.

Welch (undisclosed) left Wednesday's training camp practice due to injury, John Sigler of USA Today reports.

The type and severity of the injury isn't clear, and the Saints won't provide an update on Welch until he undergoes further tests. The Wyoming product spent all of last season on the Saints' practice squad and is battling for a spot on the 53-man roster as a backup tight end.

Johnson is expected to miss only a few days after suffering an undisclosed injury during Saints training camp, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Coach Kellen Moore wouldn't clarify whether Johnson's health concern occurred Tuesday or Wednesday, but the Saints should have some clarity Thursday once testing has been undertaken, per John Sigler of USA Today. Underhill's report indicates Johnson avoided anything significant, but with fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) on the active/PUP list, holding Johnson out of drills until he's healthy likely is a prudent approach.

Johnson (undisclosed) sustained an injury during training camp practices this week, John Sigler of USA Today reports.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore declined to confirm whether Johnson's undisclosed injury occurred Wednesday or Tuesday, when New Orleans held a walkthrough before a team outing, but he said an update on the veteran tight end's health will arrive Thursday after testing is complete. Johnson, who re-signed on a three-year, $30.75 million deal this offseason, has operated as the Saints' top tight end through the early portion of training camp, with Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) both on the PUP list.

Likely (foot/ankle) will undergo surgery this week to address a broken bone in his foot sustained during Tuesday's practice, and he is expected to face a six-week recovery timetable, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Likely has avoided a long-term injury, but his expected recovery timetable will brush up closely against Week 1, with the Ravens set to open the regular season on the road against Buffalo on Sept. 7. In the meantime, Mark Andrews will continue to operate as the Ravens' top tight end, with the potential to handle a higher allotment of snaps early in the season. As he enters Year 4, Likely boasts enough familiarity with Baltimore's offensive scheme to downplay the severity of having to miss the majority of training camp, but it's possible he could have to be ramped up early in 2025 even if he's cleared to suit up Week 1.

Loveland (shoulder) took first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

Loveland was eased into training camp during the first week of Chicago's practices, but he now appears fully recovered from January shoulder surgery, which had held him out of pre-draft workouts and spring activities. The rookie first-round pick has reportedly impressed early, including by recording a flashy third-down connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during 11-on-11 reps Tuesday. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Loveland has displayed full confidence in his shoulder's strength and durability during both blocking and pass-catching reps. Head coach Ben Johnson had high praise of Loveland's early momentum, saying "it's really encouraging when you look at a young player like that and the growth that he's going to be able to have with the more reps that he gets."