NFL Player News

Head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday that Morris (shoulder) is trending in the right direction with his injury recovery and could be available for the regular-season opener against the Cardinals on Sept. 8, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

Morris sustained a shoulder injury in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh. It appeared he was in jeopardy of missing multiple regular-season games, but the third-year tight end could be available for Week 1 if his recovery continues to progress well. Morris is currently slated as the third tight end on the Bills' depth chart behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.

Coach Mike Macdonald noted Thursday that the Seahawks are optimistic both Fant (foot) and Pharaoh Brown (foot) will be available for the team's regular-season opener, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Macdonald's comments Thursday effectively confirm that Fant won't play in the team's preseason finale against the Browns on Saturday, but it looks like the Seahawks could have both of their top tight ends available for Week 1 action. Added context on that front will arrive no later than the first official practice/injury report the team releases in advance of a Sept. 8 matchup against the Broncos.

Johnson (foot) participated in team drills during Thursday's practice session, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Johnson was activated from the active/PUP list Tuesday, and he returned to team drills Thursday for the first time since his mid-June foot surgery. It's unclear whether he'll be available for Sunday's preseason finale against Tennessee, but it seems as though he's on track to be available for the Saints' regular-season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 8.

Njoku (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Given that Njoku hasn't practiced since Aug. 15, it seems unlikely that he'll see action in the Browns' preseason finale against the Seahawks on Saturday. If that's the case, the focus of the team's top TE will then pivot to preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 8.

The Vikings claimed Johnson off waivers Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Johnson was let go by the Jets just two days prior to finding a new home in Minnesota. Expect the rookie out of Louisiana to compete for a depth role in the Vikings' tight end room as the preseason continues.

The Cardinals signed Surratt on Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After a stint with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL in 2023, Surratt has found a new home in Arizona. The former wide receiver turned tight end has yet to appear in an NFL game and will likely battle for a depth role on the Cardinals 53-man roster or practice squad as the preseason continues.

Keene (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Keene tore his ACL in Saturday's exhibition win over the Giants and will now miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign. It's another tough break for the Virginia Tech product who has struggled to get his career on track since missing the 2021 campaign due to meniscus damage.

Bowers (foot) didn't practice Tuesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Bowers was held out of Saturday's 27-12 preseason loss to Dallas with foot soreness and is still working through the issue. The Raiders named Gardner Minshew as their Week 1 starting quarterback Sunday, answering one of the big questions about their offense heading into the season. One of the other questions is how snaps at tight end will be divided between Bowers and Michael Mayer, especially in clear passing situations when the Raiders will want three receivers and only one tight end on the field.

Goedert missed Wednesday's practice with an oblique injury, Bob Brookover of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Goedert missed three games in November and December of last season due to a forearm fracture, but the oblique injury is the first known health concern that the tight end has tended to ever since. He's missed multiple games four seasons in a row, but never more than five in any one season. Goedert will have 16 days to recover from the oblique injury before the Eagles open their season with a matchup with the Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 6.

Baltimore waived Washington (hand) with an injury settlement Tuesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Washington sustained a fracture in his hand during the preseason, and the Ravens have now decided to part ways with him. His injury settlement means he would technically be allowed to play at some point during the 2024 season after he recovers from his hand issue.