NFL Player News

LaPorta (hamstring) returned to practice Sunday, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

The tight end was one of many Lions to resume practicing Sunday, and it marked his first on-field work since the first week of August. LaPorta is on track to be ready for a Week 1 game against the Rams on Sunday, Sept. 8, but it still will be worth monitoring the situation to make sure he gets back to full practice participation before then.

Hooper didn't see any action in Sunday's preseason finale against the Commanders.

Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, Hooper was in uniform for the contest, but with top TE Hunter Henry still sidelined by an undisclosed injury and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) also unavailable Sunday, Jaheim Bell, La'Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren were given one last opportunity to make their cases for depth slotting ahead of the team's roster cut downs. As Week 1 approaches, Hooper's fantasy upside early on this season hinges on Henry's availability. When both players are active, Hooper is slated to work in a complementary role.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku (undisclosed) will practice Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Njoku has been kept off the practice field since mid-August due to soreness, and he also missed Cleveland's preseason finale Saturday. If the standout tight end is indeed able to get back on the practice field Tuesday, it will assuage most concerns about his Week 1 availability. Njoku still has nearly two weeks to get fully healthy before the Browns' regular-season opener against the Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Ferguson didn't play in any of the Cowboys' three preseason games this season.

The 2022 fourth-round pick is already locked in as the starting tight end, so Dallas didn't waste any preseason snaps on Ferguson, instead giving more work to the depth options fighting for a roster spot like John Stephens, Peyton Hendershot and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Ferguson had a breakout 2023 campaign, hauling in 71 of 102 targets for 761 yards and five touchdowns, and with CeeDee Lamb still holding out and Brandin Cooks nursing a knee injury at the end of training camp, he could become an even more important receiving option for Dak Prescott to begin the regular season.

Durham brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday night.

The second-year tight end was able to get in one last bit of preseason action after missing the second exhibition against the Jaguars due to a knee injury suffered during a joint practice with Jacksonville. Durham was able to practice for multiple days leading into Friday's contest against the Dolphins, so he should be set to fill his No. 2 tight end role behind Cade Otton without limitations right from the onset of the regular season.

Johnson failed to haul in his lone target during Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans.

Johnson did not see extensive playing time Sunday, as he was one of the surefire starters that suited up for the Saints. His return to the playing field was ultimately the most important thing for Johnson after being sidelined for the first two exhibitions while recovering from offseason surgery. Johnson caught 37 of 59 targets for 368 yards across 13 regular-season appearances last year. He'll look to hit the ground running Week 1 against the Panthers.

Henry (undisclosed) isn't in uniform for Sunday's preseason finale against the Commanders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Henry remains sidelined due to his undisclosed injury, while fellow injured tight end Austin Hooper (undisclosed) is dressed against Washington. Further updates on Henry's status will surface before the Patriots begin regular-season play Sunday, Sept. 8 against the Bengals.

Hooper (undisclosed) is in uniform for Sunday's preseason game against the Commanders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Hooper is healthy enough to play after suffering an injury in practice last Saturday and subsequently missing some practice time. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Hunter Henry (undisclosed) remains unavailable for Sunday's preseason finale, and his status for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bengals remains up in the air. While Hooper's in uniform Sunday, he may not actually take the field, instead ceding playing time to rookie seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell, who is battling to make the team.

The Buccaneers waived Cannella on Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Cannella signed with the Bucs at the beginning of training camp. He registered two catches for 16 yards against the Jaguars on Aug. 17, but he did not record a catch in his other two preseason outings. Cannella will explore his next options should he go unclaimed off waivers.

Wells was waived by the Bucs on Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Wells jumped between the Bucs' practice squad and active roster in 2023, and he ended up playing in five regular-season games. He rejoined Tampa Bay on a reserve/future contract in January, but he was unsuccessful in making the 53-man roster this time around. Assuming he clears waivers, Wells could look to stick around with the Bucs' taxi squad or look for opportunities elsewhere.