NFL Player News

Seikovits signed to the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.

Seikovits signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona in January after spending the 2022 season on the team's practice squad. He's yet to play an NFL game, but his familiarity with the Cardinals' playbook could give him an inside chance on moving up to the active roster this season should a spot open.

Vannett signed with the Chargers' practice squad Thursday, Gavino Borquez of USA Today reports.

Vannett was released by the Texans on Tuesday after joining the team on Aug. 2. The 2016 third-round pick out of Ohio State played with both the Saints and Giants last season where he registered six catches for 55 yards in nine games. He'll acclimate himself to the Chargers' playbook as he awaits an opportunity to be called up to the team's active roster.

Lumpkin signed with the Colts' practice squad Thursday.

Lumpkin was let go by the Patriots on Sunday after failing to haul in a catch in three preseason games. He'll now continue to work on his craft in Indianapolis while awaiting an opportunity to get called up to the active roster.

Sullivan (undisclosed) will start the season on injured reserve, Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official website reports.

The nature of Sullivan's injury is unclear at this time. When healthy, he is viewed as a depth tight end and special-teams contributor for Carolina. He is now required to miss at least four games, so he will be sidelined until at least Week 5.

The Falcons have opted to carry four tight ends on their 53-man roster, including FitzPatrick, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports

FitzPatrick missed his entire rookie campaign in 2022 due to reoccurring foot issues. He ultimately overcame two surgeries and returned in time for OTAs in June. The big-bodied tight end doesn't project for a ton of fantasy value, as he is primarily seen as a blocking option for Atlanta's run-heavy offense.

Hockenson (lower back) was nearly a full practice participant Wednesday and is on track to play Week 1 against Tampa Bay, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Hockenson missed a lot of August due to an ear infection and then a lower back injury, with his contract situation perhaps also playing a role. Everything is pointing up a week and a half before the start of the season, as he signed a contract extension Thursday after displaying his improved health Wednesday. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the extension is for four years and $68.5 million, with Hockenson's $42.5 million guarantee and $17.125 million average annual value both setting records among tight ends.

Hockenson (lower back) and the Vikings agreed Thursday to a contract extension, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The deal reportedly puts Hockenson among the highest-paid tight ends in the league, as one would expect of an eighth overall pick coming off career highs for catches (86) and yards (914). He missed a lot of time this summer with an ear infection and then a lower back injury, but the Vikings seemingly expect Hockenson to be ready for Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

Thomas (calf) is working his way back into practice and could have a major role under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Cole Turner had a busy preseason filling in with the first-team offense, but Thomas is still expected to get most of those snaps/targets once the games count. It sounds like the 32-year-old is on track for Week 1 against Arizona despite missing most of training camp and all three preseason games. While probably only the fourth or fifth option in Washington's passing game when everyone is healthy, Thomas could bump up a spot in the pecking order if he's cleared to play Week 1 and WR Terry McLaurin (toe) isn't.

Dallas signed Fant to the practice squad Wednesday, Patrik Walker of the team's official site reports.

Fant will get a chance to continue his development with the Cowboys after failing to make the team's initial 53-man roster. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee showcased versatility on offense back in college, but he could need time to translate that skill set to the NFL level.

The Texans signed Keene to the practice squad Wednesday.

Houston cut Keene on Tuesday, but he now gets a chance to continue his development with the team as a practice-squad member. The 2020 third-round pick hasn't played a game since logging six appearances in his rookie season.