NFL Player News

Trautman was listed as the starting tight end on the Broncos' unofficial depth chart Wednesday, Henry Chisholm of TheDNVR.com reports.

Trautman being listed as the Broncos' starting tight end should come as a surprise, as many assumed Greg Dulcich would earn top billing based on his impressive performance as a pass catcher in his rookie season. Nonetheless, Trautman sits atop the depth chart despite what he lacks in skills as a dynamic playmaker. It's the veteran's versatility that may have earned him the No. 1 tight end spot on the depth chart. Addressing the tight end pecking order, head coach Sean Payton said, "Adam is the one guy out here who does a good, solid job at blocking and he gives you some flexibility with the route tree." Though Trautman is listed as the starter, there is a good chance that he doesn't see the most snaps of any tight end in Denver. However, the 26-year-old could see more inline tight end snaps than Dulcich based on his prowess as a blocker.

Seals-Jones agreed to a contract with the Colts on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The tight end had been a free agent since landing on the Giants' injured reserve list before being released on an injury settlement ahead of the 2022 season. Seals-Jones caught 90 passes for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns in five previous NFL campaigns, but he's fighting just to stick on an NFL roster at this stage of his career. The 28-year-old will battle for a depth role as training camp continues.

Deguara (calf) returned to practice Wednesday but isn't participating in team drills, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Deguara is likely considered limited at Wednesday's practice after missing roughly a week of camp due to a calf injury. His status for Friday's preseason opener against the Bengals still appears uncertain, but it's nonetheless positive to see Deguara back on the field in some capacity. Following the offseason departure of Robert Tonyan, Deguara is primarily competing with rookies Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft (knee) for snaps at tight end.

The Saints signed Holtz on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Holtz had a workout with the team Monday and impressed enough to walk away with a contract. The 29-year-old played in six games with New Orleans last season and saw 86 snaps on offense but didn't record any stats. Holtz will work to make the team's initial 53-man roster, but he may have an uphill battle among a crowded tight-end room.

Schoonmaker (foot) was a more active participant in practice Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end returned to practice Monday after coming off the active/non-football injury list, and Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said earlier Tuesday that the next step would be taking "some padded team reps." Schoonmaker has been nursing a partial tear to his plantar fascia since before training camp. The 2023 second-round pick is projected as one of the Cowboys' backup tight ends along with Peyton Hendershot behind 2022 fourth-round selection Jake Ferguson.

McBride (undisclosed) returned to practice Tuesday, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

After missing the last week of on-field work, McBride was spotted running routes without issue during individual drills Tuesday. Now that he's back in the fold, he'll continue to serve as the Cardinals' No. 1 tight end until Zach Ertz completes his recovery from knee surgery and is activated from the active/PUP list.

Everett (illness) returned to practice Tuesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Everett didn't participate in Sunday's scrimmage due to an illness, but the Chargers' top tight end is back on the field as the team's preseason opener approaches. The 29-year-old is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he recorded a career-best 58 catches on 87 targets for 555 yards and four TDs in 16 games. As long as he remains healthy, Everett merits fantasy consideration while working in a passing offense led by Justin Herbert.

Pitts signed a contract with the Bears on Tuesday.

Pitts went undrafted out of William & Mary, where he caught 28 passes for 543 yards and four touchdowns in his final college season. He'll now work to earn a depth role in Chicago's tight-end corps.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Hockenson is battling an illness, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Hockenson's illness explains his lighter practice activity over the weekend. There's not yet real cause for concern, but the illness could end up ruling the tight end out for Thursday's preseason game against the Seahawks, if it was ever in consideration that he handle a significant amount of snaps. Hockenson still has over a month to get healthy and return to practice ahead of the Vikings' regular-season opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 10.

The Cowboys are activating Schoonmaker (foot) from the active/non-football injury list Monday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Schoonmaker continues to work his way back from a partial tear to the plantar fascia of his right foot. The rookie tight end is expected to operate in a limited capacity in his return to practice Monday, and coach Mike McCarthy declined to comment about his chances of suiting up for preseason action versus the Jaguars on Saturday. In any case, returning for crucial training camp reps will be helpful as Schoonmaker looks to compete with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot for regular-season work.