NFL Player News

Saubert was released by the 49ers on Tuesday.

Saubert inked a deal with the 49ers in April and was expected to primarily serve as a reserve blocking tight end. The 30-year-old made a push for a spot on the roster this preseason, but the team will instead roll with Jake Tonges as its lone backup behind starter George Kittle. Across 10 regular-season appearances with the Texans and Cowboys last season, Saubert caught three passes for 12 yards and worked mostly as a special-teamer.

Thomas was released by the 49ers on Tuesday.

Thomas originally joined the 49ers in June after spending the past four seasons with the Commanders. The 33-year-old was then released Aug. 9 before re-signing with the team Thursday, but he did not make it through San Francisco's final cutdown to the 53-man roster. Thomas could be a candidate to come back on the practice squad, otherwise he'll look for an opportunity elsewhere ahead of the regular season. Meanwhile, Jake Tonges should serve as the 49ers' top backup behind George Kittle.

Bates was waived by Chicago on Tuesday.

Bates was signed as an undrafted free agent in May, yet he was unable to make the 53-man roster in Chicago. Though he wasn't able to secure a roster spot behind fellow tight ends Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis, the 24-year-old's prowess as a blocker could help him to catch on with a practice squad around the league.

The Jets released Firsker on Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

The veteran tight end played in a career-low two regular-season games with Detroit last season, spending most of the campaign on the Lions' practice squad. It appears he may need to settle for another practice-squad role in 2024 in order to have a chance to make it back to an NFL roster. Firkser's best season came in 2020 with Tennessee, when he caught 39 passes for 387 yards and a touchdown over 16 regular-season contests.

Yeboah (groin) was placed on injured reserve, designated to return by the Jets on Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official website reports.

Yeboah suffered a groin injury in New York's preseason finale versus the Jets and he'll now be forced to miss at least the first four games of the 2024 campaign as a result. He's first eligible to return on Oct. 6 for the Jets' matchup with the Vikings in Week 5.

McKitty was waived by the Bills on Tuesday, Alec White of the team's official website reports.

McKitty signed a reserve/future contract with Buffalo in January, reeling in a 20-yard reception on his only target in the preseason. If the tight end clears waivers, he could join the Bills' practice squad ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Turner was waived by the Commanders on Tuesday, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Turner was unable to crack a Washington tight end depth chart led by veteran Zach Ertz. The third-year pro caught 11 passes for 120 yards in 12 games for the Commanders in 2023.

Davidson was waived by the Bills on Tuesday, Alec White of the team's official website reports.

Davidson compiled a team-high 50 receiving yards on five catches during the preseason, but he ultimately didn't do enough to crack the initial 53-man roster. If the tight end clears waivers, he has a good shot of joining the Bills' practice squad ahead of the 2024 season.

Kalinic was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.

The tight end signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January after spending time on its practice squad last season. Kalinic last saw NFL regular-season action in 2022 with the Colts, when he played on 45 offensive snaps but did not catch a pass.

The Raiders waived Fotheringham on Tuesday, per the team's official site.

Fotheringham signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas in January and was vying for a depth role at tight end on the team's roster, but he didn't make the cut. The 26-year-old had a decent performance during the exhibition slate, catching three of four targets for 31 yards. Fotheringham got into two regular-season contests with the Raiders last year, catching his only target for six yards.