NFL Player News

Whyle entered league concussion protocol Sunday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

It's not clear when Whyle suffered the head injury. In any case, it means he's probably not going to see the field during Tennessee's preseason finale and will likely have to wait until Week 1 of the regular season to suit up again.

Conklin didn't play in Saturday's 15-12 preseason win over the Panthers.

Conklin has been rested thus far in the preseason along with the Jets' other starting skill players on offense. The Jets haven't gotten much production from the tight end position in Conklin's absence during the exhibition slate, so the 29-year-old tight end seems safely locked into the top spot on the depth chart heading into the 2024 regular season, which will commence after the Jets round out their preseason Saturday, Aug. 24 against the Giants.

Mitchell-Paden caught all four targets for 59 yards and limped off the field with an undisclosed injury late in Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said following the game that he expects Mitchell-Paden to be okay. Mitchell-Paden was one of two tight ends to sustain an injury. Giovanni Ricci was removed late in the first half with a knee injury and immediately ruled out. Stefanski did not provide an update on Ricci, who projects as a special teams player and third tight end. Mitchell-Paden could move up the depth chart pending Ricci's status.

Akins caught both of his targets for 15 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota.

Akins has played the first quarters of both preseason games and caught all four targets for 40 yards. He's expected to serve as the top backup to David Njoku, while Zaire Mitchell-Paden and Giovanni Ricci (knee) battle for the third spot.

LaPorta (hamstring) did not play in the Lions' 24-23 win over Kansas City on Saturday.

LaPorta has been nursing a hamstring injury, and he was on the sideline for Detroit's second preseason matchup. None of the team's starters played in the contest, so the tight end's absence isn't necessarily an indication of where he's at with the injury. LaPorta will look to return to practice this week, but at this point, he appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason finale at home versus Pittsburgh.

Pruitt secured his lone target for eight yards during Saturday's 9-3 preseason loss to the Bills.

Pruitt wasn't targeted during the Steelers' preseason opener against Houston last weekend, but he recorded a catch during Saturday's low-scoring loss. He played 32 percent of the team's offensive snaps Saturday, but if he makes the 53-man roster, he's unlikely to see much playing time behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

Bowers didn't play Saturday night's preseason game against the Cowboys due to a sore foot, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

There was no reporting of the foot issue prior to the game, nor of Davante Adams (undisclosed) "tweaking something at practice" earlier in the week prior to him missing the game as well. The practice reports this week will reveal how severe if at all this injury is.

Ogletree failed to bring in his lone target in Saturday's preseason win over the Cardinals.

Ogletree was the first tight end targeted by fill-in starter Sam Ehlinger in Saturday's exhibition. Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox did not suit up for this contest while Jelani Woods (toe) suffered a minor injury against Arizona. Ogletree figures to still be in the mix for an unsettled tight-end depth chart in Indianapolis this season.

Sanders recorded two receptions on two targets for 22 yards in Saturday's 15-12 preseason loss to the Jets.

The Panthers didn't play any of their starters in the contest, so the fact that Sanders was on the field doesn't necessarily bode well for his position on the depth chart to begin the season. That doesn't come as a particular surprise considering tight end is a demanding position to learn at the pro level, due to the combination of both blocking and pass-catching responsibilities. In the short term, Sanders managed his first receptions as a pro, a good first step in his quest to move up the depth chart.

Freiermuth recorded one reception (on one target) for 10 yards in Saturday's 9-3 preseason loss to the Bills.

Freiermuth made his lone catch on Pittsburgh's second possession, as he was hit in the right flat by Russell Wilson for a modest gain. Though Freiermuth has had limited production in two preseason games, he currently has a strong chance to be the second-most targeted pass catcher in the offense come the regular season.