NFL Player News

The Cardinals signed Whiteheart to their active roster Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The move coincides with Arizona placing tight end Zach Ertz (quadriceps) on injured reserve. Whiteheart joined the Cardinals' practice squad on Sept. 1, one day after being let go by the team ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. With Ertz sidelined for at least the next four games, Whiteheart will provide depth at tight end behind Trey McBride, Geoff Swaim and Elijah Higgins.

The Panthers placed Ricci (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Ricci was ruled out for the Panthers' Week 6 contest against the Dolphins after aggravating his shoulder injury during practice. The third-year tight end from Western Michigan has played mostly on special teams with the emergence of rookie Sam LaPorta. Ricci will now miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return in Week 12 against the titans on Nov. 26.

Morris (ankle) was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice.

Morris, who has been dealing with an ankle issue, was inactive for Buffalo's Week 7 loss to the Patriots, and it seems as if his injury could hold him out even longer. The 24-year-old has now recorded consecutive DNPs during Monday's walkthrough and Tuesday's practice. Morris has an opportunity to play behind Dalton Kincaid as the Bills' No. 2 tight end if he's able to suit up Thursday, as Dawson Knox is slated to undergo wrist surgery.

Trautman caught one of his two targets for five yards in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Packers.

The veteran played the majority of tight end snaps Sunday, as he remains the Broncos' No. 1 option with Greg Dulcich (hamstring) back on injured reserve. Trautman caught just one pass on two targets for the second straight week, and his limited involvement in Denver's passing attack make him an unreliable option for fantasy purposes. The 26-year-old will look to get more involved when the Broncos host Kansas City in Week 8.

McBride is in line for an expanded workload with the Cardinals poised to place fellow tight end Zach Ertz (quadriceps) on injured reserve, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

After taking a back seat to Ertz from Weeks 1-5, McBride usurped him in terms of offensive snaps Week 6 before matching him at 35 apiece this past Sunday in Seattle. An increase in production for the second-year tight end has followed, as he's hauled in seven of 11 targets for 91 yards over the last two games after putting up an 8-79-0 line on 10 targets through the first five contests. With Ertz on the shelf for at least the next four outings, McBride becomes the Cardinals' No. 1 TE, with only veteran Geoff Swaim (3-30-0 on four targets this season) and rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Higgins (1-0-0 on one target) serving as the team's other options on the depth chart.

The Cowboys signed Saubert to their practice squad Tuesday, Nick Harris of the team's official site reports.

Saubert signed with the Dolphins this past offseason, but he ended up suffering an undisclosed injury that led to his eventual release in early September. The veteran tight end out of Drake most recently played for the Broncos in 2022, and throughout his six-year NFL career, he's recorded 33 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinals are placing Ertz on injured reserve due to a strained quadriceps that he sustained during Sunday's 20-10 loss at Seattle, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

After logging at least 60 percent of the offensive snaps from Weeks 1-5, Ertz's workload was scaled back the last two games while second-year pro Trey McBride saw increased run. Ertz and McBride both handled 35 of 66 snaps Week 7, but the former notched less than 25 receiving yards (19 on three catches) for a third straight game. Ertz will miss at least the next four contests, which should allow McBride to take on a majority share of the TE reps in the Cardinals offense.

Kittle had five receptions (on seven targets) for 78 yards while receiving his first carry of the season for two yards in Monday's 22-17 loss to Minnesota.

Kittle tried to help fill the offensive void left by Deebo Samuel's (shoulder) absence by impersonating the dual-threat superstar but instead wound up gaining just two yards on his first carry of the season. It was an otherwise strong performance from the 30-year-old after he recorded just one catch for one yard in last week's loss to Cleveland. With Samuel expected to miss multiple games at a minimum, Kittle figures to see more action as a receiver in the interim, starting with Sunday's matchup against Cincinnati.

Hockenson brought in 11 of 12 targets for 86 yards in the Vikings' 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night.

Despite the fact he exited the game in the second half for a time due to a foot injury, Hockenson still finished with a game- and season-high number of receptions, receiving yards and targets. The fifth-year tight end has unsurprisingly seen his involvement rise during the two-game (and counting) absence of Justin Jefferson (hamstring, IR), and Hockenson could be in for another very busy day against the Packers in a Week 8 NFC North road battle.

Hockenson (foot) has returned to Monday's game against the 49ers, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hockenson had his right foot rolled up on and subsequently limped to the medical tent. However, his return to the game indicates the issue is not serious. Look for him to continue his usual role at tight end assuming he avoids any setbacks.