NFL Player News

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.

Gilliam (groin) should return to practice this week, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Gilliam first missed practice Monday and then was unable to take the field for the remainder of the week, including the team's preseason game against the Colts on Saturday. Although it's still not clear exactly when he'll return, it appears the Toledo product will be back in action sooner rather than later.

Mayer isn't in uniform for Sunday's preseason opener against the 49ers, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

A rookie second-round pick, Mayer has flashed during training camp and is line to take over as the Raiders' top tight end, a vacancy created by Darren Waller's move to the Giants this offseason. The Notre Dame product's next chance to make his professional debut will arrive Saturday against the Rams.

Schoonmaker caught his only target for eight yards in Saturday's 28-23 preseason loss to the Jaguars.

As expected, Jake Ferguson got the start at tight end for the Cowboys and was a favorite target of Cooper Rush early in the game, but Schoonmaker received his first taste of NFL action -- even if only of the preseason variety -- and caught Will Grier's first pass of the second half. The Michigan product has gotten in little work since being drafted in the second round of the 2023 Draft due to a partial tear of his plantar fascia, but he appeared healthy Saturday and should be able to start ramping up with an eye on getting ready for Week 1.

Stephens caught five of seven targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 28-23 preseason loss to the Jaguars.

A big-bodied wide receiver in college, Stephens was converted to tight end by the Cowboys after signing as a UDFA and has impressed the coaching staff so far in camp. He carried that momentum forward into his first NFL preseason action, leading the team in receiving and capping a drive toward the end of the fourth quarter with a 15-yard TD pass from Will Grier. Stephens has a tough path to the Week 1 roster with Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot and 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker seemingly locked into spots, but if he keeps showing out in exhibition play, the team may not want to risk losing him by trying to get him onto the practice squad.