NFL Player News

The 49ers signed Willis to their practice squad Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Willis will stick around with the 49ers despite being waived Tuesday. The rookie undrafted free agent will look for an opportunity to be elevated for a regular season game at some point during the upcoming campaign.

Turner signed with the Commanders' practice squad Wednesday.

Since being selected by Washington in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Turner has played in 22 regular-season games and accrued 13 catches (on 24 targets) for 143 yards over that span. He was unable to crack the Commanders' 53-man roster for the upcoming season, but Turner is a candidate to be elevated to the active roster should tight ends Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates or Colson Yankoff miss time.

The Seahawks waived Westover (undisclosed) with an injury designation Tuesday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Westover will head to waivers after having signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent in April. The 25-year-old could be a candidate to land on injured reserve should he go unclaimed on waivers.

Saubert signed to the 49ers' 53-man roster Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Saubert was released by the team Tuesday but returned as a third tight end behind George Kittle and Jake Tonges. The veteran made 10 combined appearances for the Cowboys and Texans last season, playing more on special teams than offense. Saubert's best statistical season came in 2022 with Denver when he caught 15 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Tonyan signed with the Vikings' practice squad Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Tonyan was diagnosed with back spasms in late July, which held him out of practices and all three of the Vikings' preseason games. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) starting the regular season on the PUP list and Nick Muse dealing with an undisclosed injury, Tonyan -- if healthy -- could be elevated to the active roster to provide tight end depth behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for Week 1 against the Giants.

Stoll signed with the Eagles' practice squad Wednesday.

Stoll signed a one-year deal with the Giants in March after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Eagles, and he'll now return to Philadelphia. The 26-year-old tight end appeared in all 17 of the Eagles' regular-season games in 2023, playing a total of 430 offensive snaps, which led to just four catches for 38 yards and no touchdowns.

Tremble (hamstring) said Wednesday that he hopes to be ready for the Panthers' Sept. 8 season opener against the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Tremble and Ian Thomas (calf) have been out for much of August, leaving rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders as the only healthy tight end on Carolina's initial 53-man roster. Sanders is also the most likely of the bunch to emerge as a major receiving threat, but Tremble and/or Thomas could get significant playing time early in the season due to their advantages in blocking and experience.

Bates was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Wednesday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Bates fills the third spot on a Jets tight end depth chart that previously had only two players: Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky had been in camp with the Bears but was placed on waivers Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Bates is known more for his blocking than his pass catching ability.

The Browns waived Welch on Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the team's official site reports.

Welch inked a deal with the Browns in May after going undrafted this past offseason, but the team has now decided to move in a different direction. The Wyoming product caught 31 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns during his final collegiate season.

Bowers (foot) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Bowers hasn't practiced since missing the Raiders' Aug. 18 preseason matchup against the Cowboys due to what was labeled foot soreness. Head coach Antonio Pierce said last week that Bowers' absence is precautionary, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, but the rookie tight end's status nonetheless needs to be monitored. Bowers has a bit less than two weeks to ramp up his activity level ahead of Las Vegas' regular-season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 8.