NFL Player News

Dallas placed Stephens (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Nick Harris of the team's official site reports.

Stephens will miss the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL sustained during the preseason. The undrafted rookie out of Louisiana had put together a solid offseason, but his sights will now need to be set on making a full recovery for the 2024 season to again compete for a roster spot.

Graham was not included in the Saints' final cuts ahead of Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline, NewOrleans.Football reports.

New Orleans coach Dennis Allen reiterated Tuesday that Graham's performance over the final two weeks of the preseason went a long way toward securing him a roster spot. The 36-year-old unexpectedly signed a one-year deal with the Saints in late July after he sat out the entire 2022 season, as it seemed like his time in the NFL may have come to an end following a career-worst season with the Bears in which he caught 14 of 23 targets for 167 yards and three touchdowns. His comeback to New Orleans then seemed to be in jeopardy after he experienced a medical episode Aug. 19 just ahead of the team's preseason contest versus the Chargers. However, he returned to practice four days later and suited up for the preseason finale versus Houston, catching three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. The five-time Pro Bowler should now slot into a reserve role alongside Foster Moreau while up-and-coming tight end Juwan Johnson likely accounts for the majority of targets at the position.

Baltimore waived Vokolek on Tuesday.

Vokolek signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in April and had a solid preseason, catching six of eight passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns. If he clears waivers -- which is not a certainty -- there's a good chance Vokolek will end up on Baltimore's practice squad.

The Chiefs released Blanton on Tuesday.

Blanton spent time on Kansas City's practice squad down the stretch of last season after parting ways with the Rams in November. The 27-year-old never appeared in a game for the Chiefs in 2022, and he couldn't manage to carve out a role during his first preseason with the team. Blanton appeared in 15 games with the Rams from 2021 to 2022, catching six of nine targets for 72 yards.

The Steelers waived Williams on Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Williams spent most of the 2022 campaign with the Steelers' practice squad and remained with the team during the offseason on a reserve/future deal. He didn't land a spot on the team's 53-man roster but could wind up on a practice squad again this year.

The Titans waived Odukoya on Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official website reports.

Odukoya joined the Titans prior to the 2022 season as part of the NFL International Pathway Program. He ended up spending the entire season on the team's practice squad before inking a reserve/future contract following the season. Given his familiarity with the team, it would not be surprising to see them offer him another practice squad spot for the upcoming season.

Mason was waived by Baltimore on Tuesday.

Mason was a fifth-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2021, though he spent most of that season on the Patriots' and Bears' practice squads. He ended up back with the Ravens last season but ended up on the practice squad again for the entire campaign. Mason has yet to play a snap in the NFL, and he's a candidate to rejoin Baltimore's practice squad once again for the start of the coming campaign.

Hudson was waived by the Broncos on Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

The tight end signed with the team in May after spending parts of three seasons with the Titans. The fourth-year pro has played in five career games and caught three passes for 31 yards.

The Cowboys waived Fant on Tuesday.

Fant joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May after playing collegiately at Tennessee. However, he was unable to earn a spot on the team's 53-man roster and will now seek out other opportunities ahead of the 2023 season.

The Colts released Brown on Tuesday, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Brown signed with the Colts in March after splitting time in Cleveland and Houston last season, accumulating 12 catches for 117 yards. He registered three catches for 40 yards in three preseason games. The five-year veteran will explore his options once he clears waivers.