NFL Player News

Everett didn't participate in Sunday's scrimmage due to an illness, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Everett was one of several Chargers missing from Sunday's practice session due to an illness, but it seems unlikely that the issue will impact his regular-season availability. However, it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams.

Hodges returned to practice Sunday after being out due to a hamstring injury, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Hodges' ability to return to practice is good news for the 24-year-old. After spending the majority of 2022 on IR, the second-year tight end will continue working to earn a spot on the Commanders' 53-man roster.

Kraft left practice early Saturday after sustaining a knee injury, Kassidy Hill of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Kraft's injury doesn't sound serious, according to head coach Matt LaFleur, but he added that he didn't have any information. The 22-year-old is competing with fellow rookie Luke Musgrave and fourth-year pro Josiah Deguara for starting duties at tight end. Kraft now will work to get healthy and perhaps return to practice in future days.

Mallory missed practice Saturday due to a hamstring injury, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Mallory started camp on the active/PUP list due to a foot injury, but he was able to pass a physical and be activated Monday. However, he'll now potentially miss more time as he'll work to recover from a new health concern. The 24-year-old, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft, is likely competing with Mo Alie-Cox and Pharaoh Brown for the team's No. 3 TE spot.

Wells, who's trying to secure a reserve tight end role, has impressed in all aspects thus far in training camp, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Wells signed a reserve/future contract in January after logging two different stints on the Buccaneers' practice squad last season. The familiarity with the team has helped his cause, and head coach Todd Bowles notes Wells has surprised with how well he's blocked in addition to flashing his skills as a receiver. The journeyman -- who first entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 but has only three 2021 regular-season appearances with the Cardinals on his resume -- will aim to continue making his case for a roster spot when Tampa Bay faces the Steelers in Friday night's preseason opener.

Jacobson has been signed by the Colts.

Jacobson has spent the previous two seasons on the Colts' practice squad, but he has yet to suit up for a game on the active roster. He is now back at camp with the team and will look to turn some heads and earn a role providing depth at tight end.

Eubanks has signed a contract with the Colts.

Since going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Eubanks has traveled between several franchises but has yet to stick anywhere. He will now join a crowded tight end room in Indianapolis, where he will try to make an impression.

Alie-Cox is not participating during Saturday's practice due to a foot injury, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Alie-Cox was spotted on the sidelines wearing a boot on his foot. The Colts signed two tight ends ahead of Saturday's practice, which seemed to be a precursor to an unannounced injury given only Jelani Woods (hamstring) had missed time recently. Expect more information regarding the severity of Alie-Cox's injury to be reported in the coming days.

McDonald has signed a contract with the Rams.

Days after McDonald was sent packing by Green Bay, he has found a new opportunity in Los Angeles. The undrafted free agent out of Florida State will compete against a plethora of tight ends for a chance to land on the final 53-man roster.

Otton, who's heading into the 2023 season as the No. 1 tight end, is excited about the diversity the position enjoys in new coordinator Dave Canales' offense, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

The second-year pro, who's the top pass-catching option at his position on the Buccaneers, will be playing in a scheme projected to feature an emphasis on the ground attack and plenty of play action off of that. That's expected to open up some more opportunities for a player the caliber of Otton, who's both a solid blocker and has also already demonstrated an ability to find soft spots in coverage. The projected increase in the use of two-tight-end sets -- which is based on how frequently the team Canales served as quarterbacks coach for a year ago, the Seahawks, deployed that formation -- should also be a significant benefit for Otton. Seattle ran 12 personnel on 29.5 percent of plays in 2022, a notable increase over the 17.4 percent clip the Buccaneers did under then-coordinator Byron Leftwich.