NFL Player News

Tonyan was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an unspecified injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The tight end can be considered day-to-day until further information is available on the nature of his injury. With T.J. Hockenson still recovering from a knee injury, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Tonyan are candidates to see added snaps and targets for the Vikings early on this season.

Smith has worked with Kansas City's first-team offense during camp and has been a pleasant surprise for the coaching staff, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Smith disappointed in 2023, as he wasn't able to take hold of the top spot on Cincinnati's depth chart at tight end and finished with just 18 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown across 12 games. He seems to be making a good first impression in Kansas City, as he's proving to be a reliable target in practices on the occasions he's filled in for Travis Kelce on the first-team offense. He's got a real chance to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster and is likely competing with Noah Gray and Jared Wiley for a depth role in the team's tight end room.

Williams (shoulder) returned to individual drills during Wednesday's camp session, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow reports.

It doesn't seem as if Williams is completely health just yet, but he could be nearing a return to full participation after his individual work Wednesday. Expect the UT Martin product to fight for a depth role in the Steelers' tight end room as the preseason continues.

Johnson (foot) ran on a side field at Wednesday's practice, Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans reports.

While it's still unclear whether Johnson will be ready to play by Week 1, his quick return to physical activity after mid-June surgery at least suggests his foot injury was relatively minor and not something more serious like a Jones fracture.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Kraft (pectoral) is nearing a return to practice, Paul Brettel of 105.5 ESPN La Crosse reports.

LaFleur said the tight end has been asking every day if he can return to practice, but the Packers are known to be cautious with injuries and aren't likely to make an exception for him. Kraft suffered a pectoral tear during the offseason, after coming on strong late in 2023 when fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave missed time with a kidney injury. It's unclear if Musgrave and Kraft will compete for the starting job or work in a timeshare this season, and there's little-to-no chance of both having fantasy value at the same time, given Green Bay's wealth of talent at wide receiver.

Hendershot (ankle) was seen participating in 7-on-7 drills at practice Friday, Nick Harris and Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Hendershot missed nine regular-season games in 2023 due to a lingering ankle injury, and he opted to undergo surgery in February. The third-year tight end out of Indiana appears to have fully recovered from the procedure, and he looks to be competing with John Stephens for the No. 3 tight end role behind Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker.

The Jets signed Firkser to a contract Tuesday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

After being let go by the Patriots during training camp last August, Firsker caught on with the Lions' practice squad in October. He appeared in the Lions' final five games of the season, including their three playoff games after Sam LaPorta injured his knee in Week 18. Firkser's ability to play both tight end and fullback could give him a leg up on tight ends Kenny Yeboah and Zack Kuntz to make the 53-man roster.

Calcaterra is considered to be the leading candidate for the No. 2 spot at tight end with the Eagles in 2024, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Calcaterra has impressed in the early going at Philadelphia's training camp, distancing himself from the pack as the top reserve option behind Dallas Goedert at tight end. The 25-year-old reeled in all four of his targets for 39 yards over 15 contests with the Eagles in 2023 and he'll look to carve out a more substantial role on the offense in his third year in the league.

The Steelers signed Sokol to a contract Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

The move corresponds with Pittsburgh cutting wide receiver Marquez Callaway. Sokol was a member of the Patriots' practice squad in 2023 and appeared in the final three games of the regular season, playing 14 snaps on offense and six snaps on special teams. Sokol will look to crack the Steelers' 53-man roster as a depth tight end behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

Cager has not participated in training camp due to a hamstring injury, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Brian Daboll noted before practice Tuesday that Cager will be out indefinitely while working through his hamstring injury, per John Fennelly of USAToday.com. Following the retirement of Darren Waller, Cager has spent the offseason competing for a depth spot at tight end behind presumptive starter Daniel Bellinger. Cager played in 11 regular-season games with the Giants in 2023, finishing with four catches for 36 yards and one touchdown while playing 94 snaps on offense and 138 snaps on special teams.