NFL Player News

The Panthers signed Matthews to a reserve/future contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Matthews was signed to the Panthers' active roster Nov. 7 and was waived by the team six days later. He played 19 snaps on special teams in Week 10 against the Bears for his only appearance of the season. The 2014 second-round pick will stay with Carolina in the offseason and try to work his way back to the active roster for 2024.

The Panthers signed Sullivan to a one-year extension Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Sullivan was placed on the Panthers' IR on Aug. 31 with a hip injury. He returned Oct. 4 and managed to play 11 games. Sullivan split his time between offense and special teams and finished the season with 12 catches on 24 targets for 125 yards. The 2020 seventh-round pick out of LSU will have a chance at making Carolina's 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

The Seahawks signed Mabry to a reserve/future contract Monday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Mabry has played in 10 games with Seattle in his NFL career, scoring a seven-yard touchdown on his only receiving target. His most recent action came in 2022, and he spent all of the 2023 campaign on the Seahawks' practice squad. Mabry will remain with the organization at least through the offseason and will have a chance to compete for a spot on the roster in training camp this summer.

Hodges was waived from injured reserve by the Commanders on Monday.

Hodges spent the 2023 campaign on the sidelines and dealt with a back injury to wrap up the season, and he will now look for his next opportunity. The tight end has yet to make his NFL debut after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Titans signed Odukoya to a reserve/future contract Monday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Odukoya was cut by the Titans after training camp, but he signed with their practice squad Sept. 1. While he wasn't elevated this season, he'll have a shot at making the 53-man roster in 2024.

Goedert caught one pass for four yards in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Goedert needed only one catch to set a new career high in receptions (59), and one catch is all he got. While he'll end the year with a personal best in that category, his 592 yards represent his lowest mark since his rookie season, while his three touchdowns tied a career low. He also missed three games this season, bringing his total to 14 games missed over the last four years.

Freiermuth secured both of his targets for 21 yards during the Steelers' 17-10 win over the Ravens on Saturday.

Freiermuth had a lackluster second half of the regular season following a five-game absence earlier in the year, and he was held below 45 receiving yards for a sixth consecutive game Saturday. Across those six matchups, he secured 14 of 22 targets for 128 yards. The 2021 second-rounder reached the end zone just twice this season and hasn't been a prominent part of the passing game in recent weeks.

Mallory (hamstring) drew one target in Saturday's 23-19 loss versus the Texans but did not haul it in.

Over 12 games in his rookie season, Mallory recorded 18 receptions for 207 yards on 26 targets. At 6-foot-4, 239 pounds, he profiled more as oversized wide receiver than traditional tight end. That's exactly how the Colts utilized him in 2023, and at least from an efficiency standpoint, he fared fairly well.

Kraft was targeted three times and caught three passes for 31 yards in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Bears.

Fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave returned to action Sunday after missing six games with a lacerated kidney, but Kraft remained Green Bay's starting tight end, and he played 54 snaps to Musgrave's nine. Kraft produced steadily during Musgrave's absence and caught a crucial pass late in Sunday's contest, so although Musgrave opened the season as the starter at his position, it seems likely Kraft will hold onto the job for the upcoming playoff matchup with the Cowboys.

Musgrave was targeted once and caught one pass for 11 yards in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Bears.

Musgrave took the field for the first time since sustaining a lacerated kidney Week 11, but the Packers were rather cautious with him, as he was on the field for only nine of a possible 60 snaps. He could be more active in next Sunday's playoff matchup with the Cowboys, but it seems likely fellow rookie tight end Tucker Kraft -- who played 54 snaps Week 18 -- will continue working as Green Bay's primary tight end.