NFL Player News

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.

Brown joined the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday.

Brown spent the offseason and training camp with the Colts before ultimately becoming a victim to final roster cuts. Prior to Indianapolis, the veteran had stints with the Raiders and Browns. All-in-all he has recorded 478 yards and two touchdowns on 51 receptions across 55 regular season games. He will now attempt to adapt to things in New England as quickly as possible.

The Jets signed Kuntz to their practice squad Wednesday after he was waived by the team Tuesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

The Jets took Kuntz in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He logged six catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. He'll stay with the Jets via their practice squad to start the 2023 season and await an opportunity to get called up.

The Saints waived Krull on Tuesday.

Krull appeared in one game for the Saints last year but didn't see a target across nine offensive snaps. The Pittsburgh product led the Saints in receiving yards during the preseason finale, tallying seven catches on 15 targets for 106 yards, so he's presumably a candidate to rejoin New Orleans on a practice-squad deal if he clears waivers.