NFL Player News

Dulcich (hamstring/foot) worked on a side field during Thursday's OTA, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

On the plus side, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com relays via coach Sean Payton that Dulcich is "close" to practicing and should be doing so "sooner than later." Dulcich, who was limited to just two regular-season appearances in 2023, thus is expected to be ready before training camp, per Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site. At that stage, the 2022 third-rounder will have an opportunity to claim a key role in Denver's passing offense, while operating in a TE corps that also includes Adam Trautmanand Lucas Krull.

Coach Brian Daboll relayed Thursday that Waller remains absent from the Giants' OTAs, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Waller's absence isn't surprising given that he's considering retirement, but Daboll indicated that the Giants plan to give the 31-year-old tight end the time he needs to make a call on his plans for 2024."[We will] let Darren take what [time] he needs to take, and once the decision is made, we'll go from there," Daboll noted Thursday. If Waller elects not to play this season, Daniel Bellingerwould be the next man up in a TE corps that also currently includes Theo Johnson, Jack Stoll, Chris Manhertz, Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson.

Kmet (forearm) is building chemistry with new rookie quarterback Caleb Williams at OTAs, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

Kmet suffered a broken right forearm during Chicago's season-ending loss to the Packers in Week 18, but he looks fully healthy at OTAs. The starting tight end could have some extra opportunities to establish a rapport with Williams, given that Rome Odunze is managing a hamstring issue, while Keenan Allen has stayed away from the voluntary activities. Still, the likeliest scenario in this passing game could be that Kmet takes a back seat to all of DJ Moore, Allen and Odunze, and even with his pedigree as the No. 1 overall pick, it seems a long shot that Williams can support four solid fantasy options as a rookie. Kmet will be a sleeper option at the tight end position in 2024 fantasy drafts.

Barner won't participate in OTAs this week due to a hamstring injury, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Barner missed all of rookie minicamp with the injury and still hasn't made a full recovery. Though Barner will lose out on some valuable reps prior to training camp, the Seahawks haven't indicated that the injury is anything that will affect the fourth-round rookie's availability heading into the 2024 season. Barner will look to push for playing time behind veteran tight ends Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown after the Seahawks let Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson walk in free agency.

Stephens (knee) will be working on the side as the Cowboys open OTAs on Wednesday, as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered last August, Nick Harris of the team's official site reports.

Last May, Stephens signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana, but he lost any chance he had at making the team due to the season-ending injury suffered in a preseason contest. Though still not 100 percent healthy, the 24-year-old tight end is getting closer to full strength.

Latu (knee) was in attendance but not participating during San Francisco's OTA session Tuesday, Kyle Madson of USA Today reports.

The 2023 third-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign after sustaining a meniscus injury during the 49ers' last preseason game, but he could be nearing a return. Latu, an Alabama product, caught 56 passes for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final two collegiate seasons. Once Latu is able to return to the field, he's expected to compete with Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis, Mason Pline and Jake Tonges for San Francisco's top backup tight end spot behind George Kittle.

Woods (hamstring) is participating in Wednesday's OTAs session, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Woods looks to be back to full health after injuries to both hamstrings cost him the entire 2023 season. The 2022 third-round pick showed some promise as a rookie, so if he can put together a solid offseason and build up chemistry with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, Woods could be a solid post-hype sleeper to target late in 2024 fantasy drafts, especially in dynasty formats or leagues that feature premium scoring for tight ends.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Schoonmaker (shoulder) could miss the entirety of OTAs due to a hamstring injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, McCarthy confirmed that Schoonmaker's rehab from shoulder surgery has gone well, but the young tight end is now tending to a new injury. The 2023 second-round pick has had issues staying healthy in his young career, as he previously missed time last spring after being drafted due to a foot issue. Despite batting the shoulder problem as a rookie, Schoonmaker still appeared in all 17 regular-season games.

Ruckert (concussion) took part in OTAs on Tuesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Ruckert appeared in the first 15 games for the Jets last season, but he missed the final two contests due to a concussion he sustained in Week 16 against the Commanders. Ruckert served as the backup tight end behind Tyler Conklin, finishing with 16 catches on 22 targets for 151 yards while playing 301 snaps on offense and 205 snaps on special teams. Ruckert caught passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers during seven-on-seven drills Tuesday.

Whyle (knee) participated in OTAs on Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Whyle closed last season on injured reserve, but he was back on the field Tuesday. The 2023 fifth-round selection looked bigger and sturdier than last year, according to Wyatt. Whyle will compete with Chigoziem Okonkwo and Nick Vannett for snaps and targets at tight end.