NFL Player News

Engram likely will report to training camp even if he doesn't get a long-term deal before Monday's deadline, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Engram sat out the offseason program after the Jags assigned him a franchise tag for $11.35 million. He's hoping for a long-term deal before 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday but apparently will sign the tag and report to camp even if it doesn't happen. Engram signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Jaguars last offseason and finished his first year in Jacksonville with career highs for catches (73) and receiving yards (766). He'll turn 28 a week before the 2023 season begins and has missed only two games over the past three seasons after sitting out 14 his first three years in the league.

This coming season, the Patriots appear likely to employ a good amount of two-tight end sets featuring Gesicki and Hunter Henry, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

The report notes that over the last two seasons the Patriots ranked 25th in 12-personnel usage, but with Gesicki now in the mix instead of Jonnu Smith, look for the team to find ways to utilize the newcomer's natural pass-catching skills and alignment flexibility in tandem with Henry. Assuming new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien does in fact allocate ample snaps to New England's top TE duo, Gesicki has a good chance to see an uptick from the 32-362-5 receiving line he put up while logging 52 targets (down from 112 in 2021) in 17 games with the Dolphins last season. Per Lazar, the 27-year-old free-agent addition was "impactful in OTAs and minicamp sessions running the seam, stretching the field horizontally, and showing decent separation quickness."

Taylor (undisclosed) reverted to IR on Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Taylor went unclaimed after being waived with an injury designation Monday. The 23-year-old had joined Jacksonville after going undrafted out of Cincinnati in May. He'll now be forced to sit out the 2023 season unless he's able to reach an injury settlement with the team, and subsequently can prove that he's healthy.

Taylor (undisclosed) was waived/injured by the Jaguars on Monday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

It's unclear what injury Taylor is dealing with, but the tight end will revert to injured reserve Tuesday, assuming he clears waivers.

Pederson and the Jaguars agreed on a contract Monday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Pederson will head to Jacksonville after being let go by the Chiefs prior to the 2022 campaign. The tight end has yet to make his NFL debut after going undrafted in 2021 following a collegiate career at Louisiana Monroe, and he'll look to at least crack the Jaguars' practice squad in 2023.

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael said in June that he would like to use Hill more as a pass catcher this season, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Hill had a 19-234-6 receiving line back in 2019 but has produced a 21-227-3 line in the three subsequent seasons, instead doing the vast majority of his damage as a ball carrier. The 221-pounder's usage as a rusher reached its peak in 2022, finishing as the Saints' second-leading rusher in both carries (96) and rushing yards (575) behind Alvin Kamara. However, New Orleans shouldn't have to rely on Hill's rushing ability nearly as much in 2023 after the team added running backs Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller this offseason. While he isn't going to become a high-volume receiver in his age-33 season, Hill still has a degree of fantasy appeal thanks to a unique role in which he gets more playing time near the goal line and sometimes throws passes rather than running routes or carrying the ball. HIll's role makes him an appealing option for best ball leagues, if nothing else, though the ceiling scenario of him making starts at quarterback with tight end fantasy eligibility is further away than ever after the Saints signed Derek Carr and retained Jameis Winston.

Moreau announced on Twitter on Monday that he's in full remission from Hodgkin's lymphoma.

It's tremendous news after the Saints discovered Moreau's cancer in a free agency visit physical back in March. Moreau eventually signed a three-year deal with New Orleans and was even fully participating in OTAs and minicamp this spring. He's expected to complement Juwan Johnson atop the Saints' tight end depth chart this season.

Oliver is expected to be a factor in the Vikings' red-zone offense, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis.

Signed to a surprising three-year, $21 million in free agency after spending the last two seasons buried in Baltimore's run-heavy offense, Oliver has been a pleasant surprise in offseason workouts, per Lewis. Vikings OC Wes Phillips said that Oliver could do more through the air than most realized, and that he's built like a "rhinoceros" in the open field. Oliver is unlikely to see consistent targets as long as T.J. Hockenson is healthy, but it sounds like Minnesota has plans for Oliver in multiple-tight end sets, particularly in the scoring area.

Tonyan was "pretty involved" with the first-team offense during OTAs with the Bears expecting to use more sets with two tight ends than in 2022, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Based on June practices, it appears that Tonyan and Cole Kmet will both be on the field at the same time on many occasions. With both players being capable receivers, both should see targets, though Kmet is more likely to lead the position in snaps and targets. Although Tonyan should have production as a receiver, don't be surprised if his role is less consistent than Kmet's on a week-to-week basis.

Fortson signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Chiefs on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Forston will officially return to Kansas City for his third season. The 27-year-old made nine receptions on 13 targets last year for 108 yards and two touchdowns. He'll likely be working to earn a role on special teams and as the team's No. 3 or 4 tight end in 2023.