NFL Player News

Kmet said Thursday on media row before Super Bowl LVIII that he sustained a broken right forearm in the Bears' Week 18 loss at Green Bay, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kmet was donning a brace due to the hit he took at the end of a 27-yard catch in the season finale, which caused him to sit out most of the fourth quarter. The timing of the injury likely allowed the 2020 second-round pick to keep his games played streak (67 of 67) to begin his career intact, and his career-high 73 catches (seventh among tight ends) translated to 719 yards (ninth) and six touchdowns (tied for second). Kmet expects to gain medical clearance in the near future, meaning it won't impact his work in the offseason.

Kittle (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's hopeful Kittle will put in a full practice Thursday, which would clear up any remaining concern about the star tight end's availability for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Chiefs. Kittle missed some practice reps last week but was ultimately estimated as having no injury designation if the 49ers and Chiefs had played the game last Sunday.

Ertz's practice-squad contract with the Lions expired Monday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Ertz's 2023 campaign effectively ended after Week 7, when he sustained a strained quadriceps that forced a stint on injured reserve. On Nov. 30, the Cardinals waived him so he could pursue another opportunity, and he eventually landed with Detroit's practice squad in the week leading up to the NFC Championship Game. The Lions' tight end group was incredibly banged up at the time, with Brock Wright (forearm) and James Mitchell (hand) landing on IR during the playoffs, but the team didn't elevate Ertz for the aforementioned contest. The ensuing 34-31 loss at San Francisco thus brought any chance of a return for Ertz this season to a close, and it remains to be seen if the 33-year-old garners any interest in free agency once the new league year kicks off March 13.

Kittle (toe) didn't practice Friday but doesn't have an injury designation after the first week of prep for Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

In the wake of this past Sunday's win against the Lions in the NFC Championship Game, coach Kyle Shanahan relayed Monday that Kittle was day-to-day due to a toe injury. After being listed as a non-participant on all three practice reports this week, Kittle told David Lombardi of The Athletic on Friday that there aren't any concerns about the issue, and the tight end's lack of designation on Friday's report implies as much. The 49ers still have one more week to get ready for this year's Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 11, but Kittle appears as if he'll be available for that contest.

Fant recorded 32 receptions for 414 yards and no touchdowns across 17 games during the 2023 regular season.

Fant played out the fifth year of his rookie contract, en route to posting career lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns. The 26-year-old tight end, who surpassed 50 yards just twice this season, suffered a hand injury in the Seahawks' season finale. It shouldn't be a long-term issue or affect his value as a free agent in March, but the market may be softened for Fant based on his downturn in production in 2023.

Kittle (toe) won't practice Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kittle was listed as a non-participant on the 49ers' estimated report Wednesday and now will miss an actual practice. The tight end nonetheless seems far more likely than not to play in the Super Bowl, considering he took 97 percent of snaps on offense in Sunday's win over Detroit and still has 10 more days to get ready for a matchup with the Chiefs.

Durham was active for 13 regular-season games in 2023, securing five of seven targets for 58 yards over 125 snaps on offense. He added an 18-yard reception on his only target over two postseason games.

The rookie fifth-round pick was the clear No. 2 pass-catching option at tight end behind Cade Otton, who was healthy for all 17 regular-season games and both postseason contests. However, Durham flashed some field-stretching ability with his sparse opportunities, recording double-digit yardage on three catches when factoring in his one postseason grab. Otton heads into the offseason with a clear grasp on the starting job, but Durham could earn his way onto the field more often in 2024 while working in a new offense, and potentially, a new quarterback.

Kieft brought in one of five targets for a two-yard touchdown reception while playing in 16 regular-season and two postseason games for the Buccaneers in 2023.

Kieft once again served almost exclusively as a blocking tight end, but to an even greater extent than he did during his rookie 2022 campaign, when he posted a 7-80-1 receiving line on 10 targets. The 26-year-old's only stats from scrimmage came in the Buccaneers' Week 15 win over the Packers. Kieft should occupy the same role and continue to also contribute to multiple special-teams units during his third season with Tampa Bay in 2024.

Kittle (toe) was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

After head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Monday that Kittle was day-to-day with a toe issue in the aftermath of Sunday's win over the Lions in the NFC Championship Game, the tight end unsurprisingly wouldn't have mixed into drills had the 49ers held a session to begin Super Bowl prep. San Francisco is holding practices Thursday through Saturday before heading to Las Vegas on Sunday, so Kittle's listing on the team's next two injury reports will be monitored to see how he heads into the second week of prep for the big game. In the end, Kittle doesn't seem in danger of sitting out against the Chiefs on Feb. 11.

The Eagles signed Togiai to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Togiai will stay in Philadelphia, where he spent the entirety of last season on the practice squad. The 26-year-old was elevated for one game during the 2022 campaign but failed to record any stats and will likely spend the offseason competing for a roster spot.