NFL Player News

Tonyan is expected to see significant snaps in the regular season, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Although Cole Kmet is the Bears' primary tight end, the team expects to use two tight ends frequently. When the team is looking to attack through the air, Tonyan is likely to be on the field while seeing targets. When the team is focusing on the rushing attack, the second tight end could be Marcedes Lewis. Even though Tonyan is expected to be involved in the passing game, it seems likely that he'll be a secondary option behind Kmet.

Kmet could be second on the Bears in receptions this season, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

After signing a big contract extension, Kmet is expected to be a core part of the Bears offense. He also provides the team with a big target in the middle of the field, and there are no established high-volume wideouts on the roster aside from DJ Moore. Expect the team to use plenty of two tight end packages, and Robert Tonyan will play quite a bit, but Kmet has a chance to be a featured part of the passing game.

Fortson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Fortson suffered the injury during practice in late July. It's still unclear what the specific issue is, but head coach Andy Reid said the Valdosta State product would be getting his shoulder "done." He'll now miss the 2023 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team and is able to get back to full health before the season comes to an end.

The Cardinals reinstated Ertz (knee) from the active/PUP list Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Reports of Ertz coming off the PUP list began swirling Monday, and the transaction is now official. The veteran tight end may still have some hurdles left to clear in his recovery from left ACL and MCL tears sustained in Week 10 last year, but his activation is nonetheless encouraging, and he has two more opportunities to suit up for preseason action ahead of Sept. 10's season opener against the Commanders. Once back to full form, Ertz and Trey McBride will work atop Arizona's tight end depth chart.

Gesicki suffered a mild shoulder dislocation in practice Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Patriots are hoping Gesicki will still be able to suit up Week 1 against the Eagles despite the shoulder injury, but it seems likely that the issue will sideline him the remainder of the preseason. Anthony Firkser and Matt Sokol will be candidates to handle increased reps at tight end behind Hunter Henry. Any missed preseason reps could prove significant for Gesicki, as Henry has already established himself in New England's offense and built a connection with Mac Jones.

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Ertz (knee) will be activated from the active/PUP list this week, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ertz isn't yet ready to officially come off the active/PUP list, but such a transaction should come soon. The veteran tight end is working his way back from left ACL and MCL tears from Week 10 of last season, so once he's back at practice he likely will be eased back in. Once Ertz is back to full health, he and second-year pro Trey McBride figure to divvy up snaps atop the depth chart. The Cardinals invested a second-round pick in McBride and have incentive to develop him as a future starter at the tight end position, so it's possible the 32-year-old Ertz could see his role decline slightly even when he returns to form.

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.