NFL Player News

Kittle (Achilles) said Wednesday that he is still targeting the 49ers' regular-season opener against the Rams in Week 1 as his return date, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Kittle acknowledged the challenge of completing his rehab in time for Week 1, though he noted that "I was told it's not a crazy goal." Optimism surrounding his recovery has remained steady throughout the offseason, aided by the fact that he suffered what surgeon and team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache described as a "best-case scenario" Achilles tear near the soleus muscle, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. GM John Lynch said in late March that he's "hopeful" Kittle will be available Week 1. Still, given the timing of the injury he suffered during San Francisco's wild-card win over the Eagles in January and how capable No. 2 tight end Jake Tonges (foot) looked across his spot starts in 2025, the 49ers are expected to take caution with Kittle's recovery process.

Denver coach Sean Payton said that Lohner "stood out" during rookie minicamp, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Lohner was a seventh-round selection by the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft despite the fact that he played only one year of college football. The 6-foot-7 tight end spent much more time playing basketball and made the 2021 WCC All-Freshman Team in that sport, and Denver drafted him with the hope that his size and athleticism would eventually translate into the ability to be a productive NFL tight end. Payton lauded Lohner's growth and advanced learning curve during the team's recent rookie minicamp, adding that Lohner is in "great shape," per Rachel Vigil of AltitudeTV. Lohner spent all of his rookie campaign on the team's practice squad, and it's unlikely that he'll be a major factor for the Broncos during the upcoming season, but it sounds like Denver sees him as a potential piece of its future.

The Steelers and Freiermuth agreed to a restructured contract Saturday, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

As a result, Freiermuth's cap hit for the 2026 campaign will decrease from its current $11.2 million. Pittsburgh's tight end room lost both Jonnu Smith (released) and Connor Heyward (signed with Raiders) this offseason, which leaves Darnell Washington (forearm) as the only established option at the position aside from Freiermuth. With QB Aaron Rodgers back in the fold as well, Freiermuth may be poised for an uptick in volume after putting together a 41-486-4 line on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025.

The Dolphins waived Conyers (leg) on Thursday.

Conyers spent the 2025 season on the Dolphins' injured reserve due to a leg injury. He's evidently healthy now, given that Thursday's transaction didn't carry an injury designation, and he'll likely seek a depth role elsewhere. Conyers last played in 2024 when he caught 30 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns at Texas Tech, adding eight carries for 31 yards and two scores.

Helm (toe) is participating in OTAs this week, Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports Nashville reports.

Helm missed the Titans' regular-season finale back in January but appears to be back to full health after compiling 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets as a rookie last season. With Chig Okonkwo now with the Commanders, Helm looks poised to win the TE1 job with the Titans this summer. His main competition for playing time will come from blocking types Daniel Bellinger and Kylen Granson.

Haarberg signed with the Panthers on Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Haarberg spent three years at Nebraska before going undrafted this past April. Ahead of the 2025 season, he transitioned from quarterback to tight end. During that season, the 23-year-old appeared in nine games and tallied eight receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. Now in Carolina, he'll compete for a spot on the active roster as the offseason progresses.

Pierre (undisclosed) reverted to Carolina's injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Pierre was let go by the Panthers on Monday but will remain with the team after going unclaimed on waivers. The 25-year-old spent last season on Carolina's practice squad but didn't appear in any games and will now have to miss the entirety of the upcoming campaign unless he's waived with an injury settlement.

The Browns waived Prieskorn on Tuesday.

Prieskorn is headed to waivers despite having just signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland back in January. The 26-year-old spent last season on the Browns' practice squad but didn't appear in any games.

Kincaid (knee) was a participant in the Bills' OTAs on Tuesday, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Per Capaccio, Kincaid -- who is bouncing back from a PCL injury -- didn't require an offseason procedure to address the issue, and with regard to his health, the tight end noted Tuesday, "I'd say it's probably the best I've felt in my career at this point in the year...I feel really good." As the coming campaign approaches, Kincaid is set to maintain his key role in a Bills passing offense that has been fortified by the trade acquisition of WR DJ Moore. As long as Kincaid can stay healthy, the 2023 first-rounder should see enough weekly volume to maintain fantasy utility in 2026, on the heels of having recorded a 39-571-5 receiving line in 12 regular-season contests in 2025.

The Panthers waived Pierre (undisclosed) with an injury designation Monday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Pierre signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers in January after spending the 2025 season on the team's practice squad. With the waived/injured designation, the 25-year-old will revert to Carolina's injured reserve Tuesday.