NFL Player News

Trautman did not participate in Denver's mandatory minicamp Wednesday due to an abdomen injury, Jon Heath of USA Today reports.

Coach Sean Payton said Trautman's injury isn't too serious and won't need surgery, calling it "basically a sprain." The fifth-year pro thus appears on track for the start of training camp late July. Trautman projects to contribute as a rotational part of the Broncos' tight-end corps behind Greg Dulcich (foot/hamstring), though the latter is still working toward a return to the field.

The Broncos waived Leonard (undisclosed) with an injury settlement Thursday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

The 6-foot-5 tight end went undrafted out of Georgia Tech this past offseason before being picked up by the Broncos. Both the nature and severity of Leonard's injury are currently unknown, but he will be able to sign elsewhere once he proves that he's medically ready to return to the field.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Ferguson is "having a great offseason" and praised the tight end's "consistency and his passion," Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Ferguson, a 2022 fourth-round pick, enjoyed a real breakout season as Dallas' top tight end last season, with a 71-761-5 receiving line and Pro Bowl honors. The third-year pro is now reportedly improving at multiple facets of the game, and he could be positioned to take the next step forward as a fantasy producer. Dak Prescott's clear top target will be CeeDee Lamb, with Brandin Cooks working as the No. 2 wideout, but at this stage 2023 second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker (hamstring) doesn't look like a true threat to Ferguson's workload.

Holker, who signed a one-year contract with $235,000 guaranteed with the Saints after the 2024 NFL Draft, is a name to monitor with Juwan Johnson (foot) in need of surgery, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Holker's odds of earning a roster spot improve substantially with Johnson facing a long period on the sidelines, and not being a guarantee to be ready for Week 1. Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill will likely handle the majority of first-team reps this offseason with Johnson recovering, but neither are a perfect match for his pass-catching role. Holker, though, is a clear move tight end and racked up a 64-767-6 receiving line in his senior season at Colorado State.

Johnson will have foot surgery next week and be out for a while, but he has a chance to be ready for the start of the season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson seemingly suffered the injury during June minicamp and now figures to miss most or all of training camp and the preseason. His upcoming absence will leave more first-team reps for Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill, neither of whom is a clean fit for Johnson's role as the passing-down tight end. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports that the Saints are working out TE Sal Cannella, who starred in the UFL this spring and led the league's tight ends in yards (496) and touchdowns (six).

Johnson recently suffered a lower leg injury and is expected to miss "a good amount of time," Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Details on the injury haven't been reported, with Underhill only noting that he hasn't heard that the injury will impact Johnson's availability for the start of the regular season. It sounds like Johnson may not be ready for the start of training camp, in which case Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill likely would get more snaps with the first-team offense. A calf injury cost Johnson four games last season, and he generally had a quiet year until exploding over the final four weeks for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 24 targets. Prior to that, he had 152 yards and one TD in nine games.

Rogers (Achilles) was spotted on the field last week participating during the Commanders' OTAs, Bryan Manning of USA Today reports.

Rogers missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn Achilles' tendon, but he looks to be healthy again and ready to compete for a roster spot heading into the 2024 season. The 26-year-old appeared in 11 games in 2022, catching five of his six targets for 64 yards while playing 375 total snaps (158 on offense).

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that Bellinger has been limited during spring practices due to an undisclosed injury, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Bellinger's outlook for 2024 improved earlier this week after incumbent starter Darren Waller announced his retirement Monday, leaving Bellinger as the tentative No. 1 option on the depth chart at tight end. The Giants also have rookie fourth-round pick Theo Johnson as a potential receiving threat at the position, but Bellinger should handle most of the first-team reps at the start of training camp. Daboll downplayed the injury Wednesday, so he seemingly expects Bellinger to be ready to go for camp.

Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Dulcich (hamstring/foot) is doing "really well" physically at this stage of the offseason, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Payton adds that Dulcich could return to the field this week during minicamp. Once the 2022 third-rounder is back in action, he'll look to carve out a key pass-catching role in a tight end corps that also includes Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull. Dulcich has played just 12 games through two NFL seasons and has repeatedly struggled with hamstring injuries.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Jordan has improved and regularly makes highlight plays, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Jordan nonetheless finds himself in a tough position for the final year of his rookie contract, as the Texans re-signed starting tight end Dalton Schultz in March and drafted Cade Stover in the fourth round. They also have two fullbacks on the offseason roster and one of the best WR groups in the league, making it tough for Jordan to get on the field regularly as a second tight end. The 2021 fifth-round pick did well with his limited chances last year, catching 17 of 21 targets for 219 yards and two touchdowns, but there's not really a path to role growth without Schultz suffering an injury.