NFL Player News

Hockenson (illness) said Monday he's dealing with an ear infection and is unsure whether he will participate in joint practices with the Titans this week, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Hockenson participated in Monday's practice, per Seifert, though it was a walkthrough with no contact or pads. Clarity on the starting tight end's illness is helpful, as he can now be projected to resume practicing in full shortly after the infection fades. Hockenson himself said, "I'm starting to get cleared up," per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It remains to be seen whether he can return to health in time for Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee.

Gesicki left Monday's practice after suffering an unspecified injury on a tackling drill, Zack Cox of NESN reports.

Gesicki was hurt after being tackled by Jahlani Tavai. The exact nature of the injury has yet to be disclosed, but Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site believes the injury was to Gesicki's right arm. An update on the tight end's status should surface ahead of New England's next preseason game Saturday in Green Bay.

Kelce logged five snaps in Sunday's 26-24 preseason loss to the Saints.

Prior to the contest, coach Andy Reid suggested that Chiefs starters would see first-quarter action, and both Kelce and QB Patrick Mahomes (six snaps) made abbreviated appearances. It remains to be seen how much more, if any, preseason work Kelce sees in the next couple of weeks, but assuming no injury setbacks, the star tight end is on track to see plenty of snaps and targets Week 1 versus the Lions.

Ertz (knee) has been cleared to practice and is expected to be ready for Week 1, ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss reports.

Ertz is still on the active/PUP list and hasn't resumed practicing, but the Cardinals apparently expect him to be ready for the start of the regular season after suffering ACL and MCL tears Week 10 of last year. Once he's ready, the team will need to figure out how to divide TE reps between the 32-year-old and his 23-year-old teammate Trey McBride, who was drafted in the second round in 2022 and averaged 4.0 catches for 43.8 yards per game over the final five weeks of the season.

Uzomah caught his only target for six yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers.

Uzomah battled a leg injury in June and July, but the veteran tight end has been cleared to practice for a while and played without limitations while in the game Saturday. Tyler Conklin and Uzomah once again should see the lion's share of playing time at tight end for the Jets in 2023, though second-year pro Jeremy Ruckert also may enter the rotation. Ruckert injured his shoulder Saturday.

Conklin caught one of two targets for seven yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over Carolina.

Conklin got his feet wet in the second of the Jets' four preseason games. After leading New York's tight ends with 552 receiving yards in 2022, Conklin projects to occupy a similar role in 2023 while splitting playing time with C.J. Uzomah. Jeremy Ruckert also could push for playing time at tight end this season, but the 2022 third-round pick suffered a shoulder injury in Saturday's game.

Kuntz caught both of his targets for 17 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over Carolina.

Kuntz found the end zone for the first time in his young NFL career from four yards out in the fourth quarter. The 2023 seventh-round pick out of Old Dominion has enticing physical tools, with excellent speed and leaping ability in a 6-foot-7, 255-pound frame; however, he's still viewed as more of a long-term project. His most likely outcome for 2023 is spending the season on the Jets' practice squad, as Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert (shoulder) and Kenny Yeboah are all ahead of Kuntz on the depth chart at tight end.

Yeboah caught both of his targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over Carolina.

Yeboah was one of three tight ends to find the end zone for the Jets in this game, but his touchdown was the only one scored in the first half. It came from two yards out on a throw from Zach Wilson in the final seconds before halftime. Yeboah split time between the practice squad and active roster for the Jets in 2022, and he could be in for a similar role in 2023 with Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah and Jeremy Ruckert (shoulder) ahead of Yeboah on the depth chart.

Tremble caught his only target for a 12-yard gain in Saturday's 27-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Tremble is striving to hold off Stephen Sullivan to serve as Carolina's third tight end this season, with Giovanni Ricci featuring more at fullback. A third-round pick in 2021, Tremble boasts 39 catches through 33 career games and could find targets even harder to come by this season following the signing of veteran tight end Hayden Hurst. Should he keep his roster spot, Tremble figures to rotate with Ian Thomas in a backup capacity.

Hurst caught his only target for a five-yard gain in Saturday's 27-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Hurst was called for a false start on Carolina's opening drive but hauled in a pass from rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young two series later. Coming off 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games for the Bengals last season, Hurst is slated to start at tight end and offer Young another veteran option to go with fellow offseason additions Adam Thielen and DJ Chark.