NFL Player News

Allen secured all four targets for 25 yards during Sunday's 21-20 victory against San Francisco.

With Tyler Higbee (shoulder) out, Allen took over once again as the Rams' starting tight end and was a solid safety valve for Carson Wentz. Allen's rookie campaign looked like it would be mostly relegated to bench duty with Higbee, Hunter Long (knee) and Brycen Hopkins starting out ahead of him on the depth chart, but injuries thrust him into an expanded role by Week 14. His 10-95-1 line in 15 games this season may not leap off the charts, but Allen has proven to be a viable option in the passing game if Higbee is unable to take the field in the Rams' playoff opener at Detroit.

Hopkins caught two of three targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 21-20 win against San Francisco.

Despite taking only 18 snaps on offense behind starter Davis Allen, Hopkins managed to make the biggest impact on the stat sheet, including a game-long 29-yard reception on a lengthy third down to help extend a drive that led to a Tyler Johnson touchdown. With Tyler Higbee (shoulder) and Allen the primary tight ends for the Rams this season, Hopkins managed just five catches for 78 yards in 14 games and will be a reserve behind the duo in the playoffs unless Higbee misses more time with his injury.

Wright (hip) will practice this week and is on pace to play in the wild-card round, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Wright sat out for Detroit's last three regular-season games due to a hip injury he sustained in Week 15 versus the Broncos, but it looks like he should come back for the Lions' wild-card matchup versus the Rams. If Sam LaPorta (knee) is sidelined, Wright would project as the Lions' starting tight end.

Seikovits signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Seikovits has spent the better part of the last three seasons with the Cardinals as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, but he has yet to appear in a game with the team. The Austrian will now have another opportunity with the team for next season.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that LaPorta (knee) has an outside shot to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Rams, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

LaPorta exited this past Sunday's win over the Vikings with what has been reported as a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise after his foot got stuck in the turf, forcing his knee to bend the wrong way. He needed to be carted to the locker room, but the diagnosis is much better than initially feared. If LaPorta can't play against Los Angeles, Brock Wright (hip), if he's available, and James Mitchell would appear to be the next players up at tight end for Detroit. Campbell said he doesn't anticipate signing a player at the position this week.

Rogers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in May, is expected back for offseason workouts, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Rogers spent the entirety of what was to be his second NFL season on IR with the injury. According to Fortier, the Ohio product is about 80 percent recovered and doing linear running, with the next step being to make cuts and continue to get into football shape.

Ferguson caught all six of his targets for 69 yards in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Commanders.

As expected, Washington's defense put up little resistance to the Dallas passing attack, and Ferguson tied Brandin Cooks for second on the team in catches behind CeeDee Lamb's 13. Ferguson wraps up a breakout regular season with 71 catches for 761 yards -- both top-10 figures in the NFL among tight ends -- and five TDs on 102 targets, and he figures to be one of Dak Prescott's favorite options in the wild-card round Sunday as the Cowboys take on the Packers.

Hurst said Monday that he cleared concussion protocol over the weekend, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hurst's season ended in Week 10 when he suffered a concussion. He'd been dealing with post-traumatic amnesia in the wake of the brain injury, but it sounds like he's back to full health. Hurst signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with Carolina last offseason but caught just 18 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown on 32 targets in his first season with the Panthers. Improvement from 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young, and a new coaching staff, could give Hurst some sleeper appeal next year.

Gesicki finished the 2023 season with 29 catches on 45 targets for 244 yards and two TDs in 17 games.

Gesicki was brought in by the Patriots this past March on a one-year deal to pair with fellow tight end Hunter Henry, essentially replacing Jonnu Smith, who the team had traded to the Falcons. At the time, it seemed as though Gesicki would have a chance to bounce back as a pass-catcher following a subpar 2022 campaign with the Dolphins. However, while working in a time-share that tilted in Henry's favor and as part of a passing attack that struggled to find consistency, Gesicki's fantasy impact was modest. Following a 4-13 effort, the Patriots figure to make plenty of changes this offseason, and it remains to be seen whether the team will look to re-sign Gesicki in the coming months.

Lewis played 33 percent of the snaps but was not targeted in the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Lewis, a 39-year old blocking specialist, ended the season catching four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. With 14 NFL seasons on his resume, he's now an unrestricted free agent.